Exploring Abandoned Desert Center, California

[@iowa_don]

One time in the 60's when I was 18 or so, I got stranded in Chiraco Summit, just 19 miles west of Desert Center, on a Saturday night on my way to back college in L.A. It was the middle of the night and my battery was not charging. I stopped at the garage and in the morning a guy tried to fix it - no luck. I needed a new generator for my '53 Chevy and they did not have one. In the morning I limped to a garage/gas station in Indio. I had no money. The gas station owner not only fixed my car on a Sunday, he LOANED ME HIS CREDIT CARD in case I had further trouble on my way to L.A. I have never forgotten that kindness and I am sorry that I never really got to thank him properly. I try to pay it forward whenever I can.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Wow, that's an amazing story that I can't imagine happening today.

[@TerryKnight-hw3pg]

You meet some great people in our lives.

[@Nomadcreations]

How times have Changed as well as people/Society....... Hmm, ... 53 Chevy, reminds me of my 2nd car with a bad clutch if You Floored it the engine would speed but Not the car & as what the cars salesman said about It "That (Blank) Dont Burn a drop Of oil" which was only true if it wasnt running, otherwise a quart a week 2 miles to school.

[@MarinCipollina]

In 1974 I was driving through Glitter Gulch in Las Vegas, driving a 1967 Pontiac Grand Prix.. Well, the headlights were getting dimmer, as were the dashboard lights, and finally my car died, right there on Fremont Av, a few blocks from the Nugget casino.. A Clark County Sheriff Dept deputy stopped by and asked what the problem was, and I explained that I had a dead battery, and my car wouldn't start. He said, well I don't have jumper cables, but I'll radio one of the other deputies, which he did.. The other deputy showed up shortly thereafter and gave me a jump start.. I can't imagine that happening today.. I think today you'll be told to move the car or it will be towed.

[@versuskid4232]

He knows you appreciated his kindness. His gift was helping you in the first place so know that and then you can pay it forward with someone else who will be in need someday. The big guy upstairs was keeping an eye out for you. Thanks for posting your experience here because just maybe one individual here will be inspired to do good for others.

[@sandranykerk2280]

I was there and photographed in March of 2018. Everything was still intact, none of the windows were broken, and the cafe looked like someone had left for the night and just never gone back. The tables were set, and the phone booths were there across the back. The locomotives were still in the garage, and the caboose was there just to the east of the Cafe. The school was also intact and snugly secure behind a locked up chain link fence. I’m so sorry to see what has happened to all of it in just the last 5 years. It’s truly tragic.

[@markdoell1834]

A shame , isn't it?

[@rainer1980]

From the looks of all the graffiti, I'd say one of the Blood or Crips gangs out of L.A. or Las Vegas probably came in there, and stripped it bare of any value.

[@gabrielreyes5455]

we slept there over night 30 years ago cause the fuel pump went out

[@BoycottGoogleTotally]

Some people can do no good.... If i was there i would clean it up and try to restore it.... The building is very good and big.... It would become a nice home.... But i m too far

[@julius43461]

You should upload the pics somewhere.

[@drgruber57]

Can you imagine the lasting satisfaction of those who go to bed every night remembering how fulfilling it was to tag and vandalize Desert Center? Yeah, me neither. I will never understand how people get such a thrill out of destroying things.

[@f42un84u]

Illegal immigrants, criminals, mentally ill, drug addicts, costumers cheated by owners. Does that help imagine who and why? This is because citizens do not demand it stop to the governments. What have you done other than complain?

[@rayporter6197]

Great video Steve. I had many cups of coffee in the cafe between 1973 and 1978 when I was a Phoenix based truck driver. The Desert Center Cafe was a good place to meet for drivers working for trucking companies with operations in Phoenix and Los Angeles. Drivers for various companies would switch off loaded units from El Segundo of other L A terminals for empty trailers from Phoenix. Desert Center was a natural halfway spot used 24 hours a day 7 days a week for this type of exchange operation. It is sad to see the condition of this spot today.

[@RevolutionMuscle]

It still is used for this purpose, just no services there now.

[@ONLY-CARS-FANS]

@ Ray what comes to mind since you did that route for many years --how many stories you have to share ...I miss Art Bell and the Truck Drivers Stories

[@andyamysarizonaadventures5450]

My dad used to stop at that old diner near Salome driving truck in the 80s

[@jamessmoth8683]

I was one of those drivers in the 90's

[@billharris7235]

Our family stopped here on our way to Massachusetts in the summer of '65. Ate lunch at the cafe. Us kids were just thankful for any sign of civilization!

[@TheStuport]

Wowzers, that is a great childhood memory! STILL laughing @ "any sign of civilization" 🤣 Having done some desert traveling with my siblings, we all could relate! 👋

[@DeeMoback]

We also have stopped there on a number of occasions.....back in 1960s ....later in the 1980s when I was a trucker too

[@TheStuport]

@@DeeMoback For me it's a bit sad to see a Town like this pretty much disintegrate in real time. At least we have the memories! Salute Jay

[@DeeMoback]

@@TheStuport yes, .....so many of the places I used to stop at are now ABANDONED PLACES on youtube..... yup

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Desert Center must have seemed like an oasis then.

[@stevereed8786]

If you went to Parker or Havasu to vacation on the Colorado River we all stopped at Desert Center before taking a left to Rice Road. My Parents would caravan pulling a Boat behind the Station Wagon at 3am to beat the heat. I remember stopping at Desert Center asking if we were there yet. It was always lots of activity at that time of the morning of Semi Trucks everywhere, the Diner, Gas station was a must regardless. Rice road seemed was 1000 miles long. I follow the trend for years and stopped at Desert Center weather or not I needed to. I'll never forget the comfort of knowing that those places actually existed at one time.

[@PinInTheAtlas]

It’s so sad to think Desert Steve built a town from nothing putting his life and soul into it. Hoping to leave a legacy for it to become ruins. Thanks for the tour and the history lesson. Really enjoyed it.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

At least when he passed it was probably still going strong, though I wonder what caused him to leave Desert Center. Maybe he saw the writing on the wall way back then.

[@CarsandCats]

There are very few builders left in today's society and far more destroyers. As soon as a business closes, they are already breaking windows and defacing with spray paint in a language only they can read.

[@somnolentSlumber]

ozymandias moment it all goes back to the sand eventually

[@johnbeach7146]

Not quite ruins. Those who live here know about big plans. The lack of development until now is for reasons that are no longer in the way.

[@johnbeach7146]

​@@SidetrackAdventures Desert Steve left because of a dalliance with his secretary. His wife didn't approve.

[@anthonygonzalez7488]

When I was a truck driver in the middle 1990's, I would stop there to take a break. The cafe would have breakfast, lunch and dinner blue plate specials ( two eggs, bacon or sausage, hash browns, toast and coffee for less than $4.00 ) . The hamburger place also sold ground beef tacos, burgers and fries with coca cola, rootbeer and Sprite in paper cups . Desert Center market had cold sodas, juice, milk, bread etc . There was an old caboose outside the cafe and a locomotive and a 1930's sedan inside the cafe's garage ) i was told that the railroad equipment belonged to the Eagle mountain railway . I purchased several postcards at the cafe that showed the town during its heyday.

[@vrmendo]

Stayed in the Cafe for several hours back in 1991 when my motorcycle engine ran hot and finally blew up. The nice lady behind the counter said their claim to fame was being the location for an episode of the TV show Airwolf. They had a lot of pictures around the Cafe from the show. Nice place and very friendly people. Thanks again Steve.

[@StevieWonder737]

Another great trail guide video. I never have understood the need by some people to destroy something just for the sake of destruction. It's unfathomable to me that people feel a need to leave their mark on the world by trashing everything they can along the way. Not much of a legacy in my view. Great work again, Steve. The spirit of America and those that endured all kinds of hardships to build it is always intriguing to me. You do a marvelous job of showing the human side of this corner of history.

[@drkskyes]

I agree about the destruction. So many people feel weak against the world around them and destruction is their way of rebellion.

[@rojoknight]

The people who destroy these places are what we call the best of lowlifes. Here in California we tolerate them in South west Missouri we have sink holes. Where I was born West Virginia mine shafts.

[@therideneverends1697]

@@drkskyes Thats a very astute observation that holds truth also those who repurpose cold medication often collect the copper out of electronics and heating systems to sell for scrap

[@donaldwycoff4154]

Wonderful episode. For some reason it plucked my heart-strings, thinking about how one person impacted hundreds of lives, and within a century, what was one a vibrant business town was turned mostly to dust.

[@dingo8babym20]

Aristotle - 'Time crumbles things; everything grows old under the power of Time and is forgotten through the lapse of Time.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

@@dingo8babym20 And remember the Rock group, Kansas? Their signature tune was "Dust in the Wind".

[@POINTS2]

I have stopped for a bush bathroom break by what I called "those abandoned buildings from I-10" on some of my Arizona camping trips. Thank you for explaining the history of Steve and his town. I may have never known otherwise and next time I stop there, I may take a longer look around. I definitely will appreciate it more. I am grateful for your videos and adding Sidetrack Adventures to the list of things to be thankful for at Thanksgiving this year. Thank you!

[@allanbador7316]

I’ve been passing it since I was 16. It was a happy place because seeing it meant you were almost to the river in Parker.

[@TheMenghi1]

My father and I stopped by the Desert Center on route to Phoenix. I still have a receipt from the cafe since my father passed away some few years later, RIP, Frank.

[@craigpierce7996]

My family had a place on the Colorado River when I was a teen in the 70's. I drove through this town at least 50 times! This video is a reminder of great times in my life and the stark fact that you can't go back...

[@verbalwidget7267]

Big Thumbs up, very well done, as always. I have stopped in Desert Center a few times driving to California. My dad was a truck driver, and it was special when I got to go with him in the cab of the big truck. I have fond memories of sitting at that counter with him as he drank a coffee in the late 1960's, I still remember the waitress being very nice. Thank you for putting together this video.

[@SolamenteVees]

Thank you, Steve. I hope all of your hard work also benefits you because you’re doing us a great service with your videos. As a TV/Radio major I appreciate your pacing, diction and tone. All the best for 2024.

[@steveturner3864]

I used to drive for Conway Trucking and for twenty years we did turns there meeting drivers from Arizona and Nevada. There would be no seats in that cafe it was so crowded and you had to park 200 yards away sometimes. They had pics on the cafe walls from the air wolf episode that was filmed there. They were very proud of that in DC. That’s what it’s called DC not desert center. The thing that I remember was the restrooms at the cafe were inside but not air conditioned lol so you only went in there as a last resort. But the people were friendly. Everyone bought cheese fries. The tables had a fifties look with red checkered tablecloths. It was booming for awhile. Too bad it died. Good memories

[@jamessmoth8683]

I drove for Conway also. UFV pacomia yard

[@BrankoRNtheotherBranko]

I recognized the Cafe in Google maps. It was in an episode of Airwolf (80s TV show). It was the episode were we meet Catlin in her CHP helicopter. I stopped by on a camping trip.

[@Koguma52]

Thanks for the video! I grew up in Rialto and during the late 50’s and into the 60’s we would often spend weekends at the Colorado River. I remember heading out in the pre-dawn hours and stopping at the Desert Center Cafe for an early breakfast, or sometimes having dinner there on our way back home. I have fond childhood memories of that place.

[@kriskabin]

As a trucker who did a lot of backnforth between L.A. & Phoenix, I'd stop & do a 10hr brk here once in a while. I always liked that neat cafe sign of an old miner & his burro cooking his supper over a campfire; a really unique painted tin & neon vintage sign. Too bad it disappeared after the town was sold. There was a wooden totem pole too outside of the cafe. I read something about an auction sale took the best goodies away from Desert Center. Sitting in my truck there & watching ALL the ppl drive by on I-10, I couldn't help but think that just a lone In & Out Burger here would be funny & do a HUGE business. Like the Prada store in the middle of nowhere in west Texas.

[@juliojames5986]

Steve, you do a great job on these adventures to almost forgotten places, and bringing them back to our memories of old stories heard or experiences… You deserve an award ! Thanks.

[@dakotabowes2387]

I have been to that cafe a few times back around 05 they had great food I would always get the ups chicken salad and a tall, iced tea. they also would bring a bowel of sliced lemons for your drink that were grown nearby there was some really old phone booths by the back wall someone probably stole those. Also, that garage and gas station was still being used back then it's really sad some people have to destroy and vandalize stuff to have fun.

[@williamking6306]

As an over the road Truck trucker I watched Desert centers slow demise take place. After a long day of dropping freight then picking up more freight all over the LA Basin and getting out of town a driver gets tired. That big dusty truck parking lot looked awfully inviting, and the all night Cafe was a big bonus. It was probably 2007 or 08 the last time I stoped there. I the place was empty except for the cook the waitress and one woman setting at the corner stool at counter. I ask if they were about to close and the customer said “That door hasn’t been locked since 1939. I sat down next to that lady and said And you’ve been setting at this corner stool all that time trying to catch a man? She grinned and told me she had caught her share , pointed over her shoulder and said I buried a couple of em out there. I see that your still in the Game, she Quoted a Candy Louper line” Girls just wanna have fun” I had a piece of Coconut Cream Pie and a glass of milk to help me get to sleep and some pleasant conversation. She had lived in a trailer there for about 20 years if I remember. I’ve always been a bullshiter but that old girl could keep up with no problem

[@TheStuport]

I'm VERY grateful this 2023 Thanksgiving on being a part of Sidetrack Adventures with you Steve, your lovely Family AND of course The Posse of Fans who leave awesome comments of their own adventures that tie in with the videos you post! My Hump Days are now Happy Days and I'm Thankful! Maybe it's just me BUT seems like it takes a character of eccentric qualities like Desert Steve to literally establish a Town and help it thrive! Huge Smiles hearing his story and the history of his time out in the desert! Sort of a sad shame to see the remnants decaying away too but glad to be able to see and hear the history! Wasn't a Mayberry and Booze was a no no, so no Otis either! 🤣Thank You Steve for taking care of Us! MOO From COW-lumbus, Ohio 👋

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you and happy Thanksgiving to you as well!

[@robertwalen4976]

I’ve enjoyed all of your videos that I have seen. Keep up the good work. It’s been great to see the history of our country.

[@wadewithcoffee1207]

Did you notice the Christmas Wreath on Wall

[@billquailes7882]

Thank you for this video - I retired from trucking in 2014, and this was one of my stops when passing through.

[@ChrisW-17]

How appropriate you introduced your video in front of the plaque for "Desert Steve, no relation". It's one of the first things I found on Google maps before watching. 😂 Thanks for another great video. Glad to be along for the ride!

[@RoadDogSteve]

I frequently hitchhiked from Phoenix to San Francisco in the early 70s. I got "stuck" there for 7 hours..... The cafe was a welcome sight at 3 am. I eventually got a ride from someone that was eating there. Kaiser Steel, i believe, had a mine close by. The company's all inclusive health care system there was the model for Kaiser Permanente I heard.. great video.... thanks.

[@andyamysarizonaadventures5450]

As a truck driver its always much more enjoyable passing desert center heading east to Arizona!!!

[@Leggyblond22]

past BLIGHT and into Ehrenberg... home free after that,Roll on Driver!!!!

[@andyamysarizonaadventures5450]

@@Leggyblond22 hammer down ! 😁

[@Leggyblond22]

@@andyamysarizonaadventures5450 I'm selling the small amount of shit I have and heading that way next weekend. GTFO out of California and I'm gonna hunker down in cottonwood with my jeep and my dog. also, you know that little market i Ehrenberg has showers and laundry if you wanna bypass the truck stops.

[@andyamysarizonaadventures5450]

@Leggyblond22 everywhere is getting crime riden and over priced, we moved to Oklahoma where Amy is from ,paid $65,000 for a nice brick home and I'm hualing crude oil.Just board to death some days off not having my mountains

[@raymondus2024]

I very much enjoy your travel videos. You deliver your information in a quiet, serene type of manner. I am so tired of the drama queen videos where people feel the need to hype the information they are delivering to the viewer, even to the point of lying to the viewer. Your video titles deliver EXACTLY the information that is contained in your videos. Please keep up your good work and hold onto your calm demeanor. I am a subscriber, and I encourage my friends to watch your videos.. Ray

[@heyoldman2003]

thank you again Steve . i love the desert. and i too have a hard time with booze been dry almost 50 years 😎 take care 👍🏼

[@johnallred716]

Great video, and narrative. Used to stop there all the time and take photos. Last time I was there was 2017; the Chevron gas pumps were still there (last Riverside County Weights and Measures inspection sticker was dated 1966,) the Cafe was still intact somewhat, wooden telephone booths lined the back wall. All the glass was there, it had not been tagged inside at all. The neon sign over the entrance was still up too. Outside, just to the east of the Cafe was a Kaiser Steel railroad caboose on a small section of track and several late 40's, early 50's GMC dump trucks embedded in the sand. There was a directional sign for Eagle Mountain (handpainted non CalTrans) around back. There were sections of the green interstate mileage signs from The 10 that used the button reflectors too (c. 1970.) I thiink those were replaced around '99 or so and the old signs were left behind. It's all gone now. Those vistas...timeless for sure. Keep up the great archaeological work!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I was actually wondering what happened to the caboose. I seem to remember a plaque for Kaiser there too, but that seems to be missing as well.

[@JohnCouch-m4f]

Thanks Steve on another great place full of memories! One trip out to Parker in the early 80's we got a flat on the boat trailer 20 miles north of Desert Center, no problem as we just put on the spare. 20 miles later the other tire blew out. Had to leave the trailer on the side of the highway and head back to Desert Center hoping that they had something. Luckily the only place open had some used tires and that saved our trip! Great hamburger joint used to be there also across the street.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I can only imagine how many people were pretty much saved by Desert Center over the years, having the only service station for 50 miles in either direction.

[@Yormsane]

Sad to see Mr Ragsdale's desert oasis has fallen into such awful dereliction. Desert Center would make a great location for a huge EV charger site, as in Kettleman, CA. 100+ charging stalls, solar canopies, and a 50s-themed diner, to bring some old-school road trip vibes to a 21st century installation.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Its in a great location for that, being so far from pretty much everything else.

[@leighsayers2628]

That would be a horrible end to a historic area ..yuck

[@someguy9778]

Right...EV charging site...great

[@paulas_lens]

@Tesla see to it :D

[@RobinHullBuilds]

Hey Steve I love your channel. It’s all about the things I love about America, and California in particular. I’ve been fortunate enough to have visited the west several times and there’s nothing I like more than exploring off the beaten track. My brother lives in Leucadia and has lived in California since the 1980’s. He is currently here in the U.K. visiting our 91 year old mum. Part of me wishes he’d squeeze me into his luggage when he returns home on Sunday. Another great video. Thanks mate 👍

[@MCTeck]

The last time I was in Desert Center was 1972,returning from the Barstow to Vegas motorcycle race. The truck I was riding had a wheel bearing fail just out side of town The people at the market gave my friends and I free food and drinks while we waited for parts to arrive from Barstow . Sad to see it now 😢

[@hereIam1965]

I live thousands of miles away across in North East England 🇬🇧 .. but after watching the vid and listening to the commentary" I get " the desert cafe. Morso when I read the comments from the viewers which have added their own memories dating back to the 50s . Someone said its sad to see it desserted with Steve's town in ruins now especially last five years, that said I bet the guy never envisaged a world wide audience and such a good vid with comments . I've been fortunate enough to have some family in AZ and visit . 😊

[@martinbahena3648]

Thank you Steve, love your videos. Your the lucky one that gets to do this. Wish I was along for the ride..

[@mariateresamondragon5850]

I always stopped here when driving to L.A. from New Mexico or Arizona (but rarely when traveling east). I was sad when the cafe closed. Now I stop to eat in Blythe or Chiriaco Summit, but neither appeals to me like Desert Center did. I stopped to watch the 2017 solar eclipse at the corner of Ragsdale and Eagle Mountain Roads. I don't think I've stopped in the area since. Thanks for the tour and information.

[@ki6lkp]

The wooden phone booths within the cafe were classic and certainly collectable. I hope they found a good home and didn't end up as firewood.

[@memowilliam9889]

I enjoy these episodes. I grew up in the desert. I have a lot of great memories of exploring. I moved to Montana in 2001. I love the summer there but miss the wide open spaces and warm winter weather of southern California. I keep thinking about retiring in Arizona near the river -- to snowbird back and forth.

[@Rfk1966]

Glad you documented this, Steve. I go through here frequently and it has really gone downhill in the last 9 months due to the vandalism. With the new travel stop going in, all of this won’t be around much longer sadly.

[@jyzo]

Has there been much building progress on the new travel stop? I’m trying to decide how soon I need to go check this out haha

[@SidetrackAdventures]

It didn't look like anything was started on it at all.

[@johnbeach7146]

​@@jyzo No progress - the new buyer lost his developer due to the coronavirus pandemic and is looking for another developer.

[@tedkerr2230]

Thanks,Steve, for stopping at all the places we race by . We give them a glance and then they're gone. But you stop and bring that little piece of local history alive!

[@dougtodd305]

I used to stay in Joshua Tree ,when it was a monument.l would explore all around it .Desert Center was a place l would end up at often,a little run down but still pleasant, I often thought I could retire there ,little did I know this would happen to it.

[@TheStuport]

Great share Doug! Salute

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Lots of trucks are still stopping there, but unfortunately no services for them.

[@dagmaryuppaderivera2399]

Back in the early 2000s, there was a clinic building and a plaque next to the market. They were for the Kaiser hospital that originated there at the mines at Eagle Mountain. Last time I visited was 2013 or so, and the town buildings were still intact. It is sad to see what has become of it. Most of the damage was most likely during the pandemic when people were frustrated and bored. I now live in Alabama but am grateful for you and your channel. It's good to see the desert through the eyes of someone who appreciates it. Thank you so much.

[@janblake9468]

Desert Steve also owned and worked some mines in the Coxcomb Mtns. I ate many lunches at the counter in the cafe before they closed in 2013. Good hamburgers. It is rumored that the new owner plans to construct a truck stop there.

[@jennysjourney02]

I so want to check this place out. Shared this video with my husband and daughter. We're planning a long roadtrip for next spring through Southern Nevada, Utah, Northern Arizona, and coming back through the Needles area. We love exploring abandon buildings and towns. Great video!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Its a fun place to check out. Lots to see there for sure.

[@stevef.8041]

Desert Steve must have been quite a character and one with great insight. Amazing story.

[@johnchedsey1306]

Just passed through there a couple weekends ago! I only briefly stopped to get a photo of the Last Gas Station and headed on to Blythe. Thanks for the more in depth visit of this town!

[@627apache]

I actually had to fill up at the gas station a couple of times when I attended ASU. I always wondered what the place looked like in it's heyday. Thanks for uploading. This brought up memories of road trips to and from school even though usually I drove right by.

[@themindofmr.h9929]

What you're doing is on my bucket list. 30 years ago, on a trip to Laughlin, I passed into Ludlow, about 40 miles east of Barstow. I took photos of all the buildings. I went there again recently, most of the buildings have deteriorated considerably. The photos are still framed and adorn the walls of my home office. Charming memories.

Nothing stays the same for long. I've lived in Tempe, AZ for 20 years. Every single restaurant my family used to eat in 20 years ago has now gone. Lots of the stores we shopped at have gone as well.

[@hurr1c4ne]

Great video and very interesting story!

[@1cavscout160]

Drive through there all the time going to Havasu from San Diego. I remember when the burger place was still open. Coo vid!

[@sebrandt1]

Happy Thanksgiving Steve. Thank you for sharing your adventures with everyone.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family as well.

[@surge384]

Dang, what a great video👍. I lived in Coachella for 15 years and routinely drove my big rig through Desert Center. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@dougsworldtour3755]

Very sad, I did a video there 6 or so years ago and everything was still locked up. Vandals really suck.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Yeah, things would last so much longer if they were just left alone. Being so close to the interstate though I guess Desert Center is an easy target.

[@joatlion7283]

I grew up in that town from 1989 to 2002...This does bring memories back from my childhood

[@mattbergseid9196]

A childhood friend of mine worked for Caltrans their in the eighties and nineties, his name was Dave Copeland, wonders if you knew him?

[@edwardaustin740]

Thanks Steve for letting us tag along with you.

[@DavidDav-w1b]

Brilliant idea, documenting the history of socal 1850!to 1950

[@greggvohn1977]

Hi Steve,I really appreciate and enjoy your channel,however I do want to share my memory of Desert Center. I am 63 years old live in Phoenix and have been past Desert Center literally dozens of time visiting family in socal. The rings of palm tree stumps by the I 10 have been dead and in that condition since I was 10 years old ....the school has been abandoned since I was discharged from the service in the early 1980s....the rest of the information you shared was pretty spot on...I'm not trying to bag on you for sharing misinformation, as I said I enjoy your channel,you just seem like a guy who wouldn't want to share things that aren't the facts. Thanks for all you shate!!!

[@travelingman21000]

I stop fairly often since my brother works for Fisher and you can see his trailer in your drone footage of what left of the man camp. I let him know that his trailer now has been made famous for being in your video. Keep up the great work your doing!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

That's pretty cool. So he stays out there while working or does he live out there full time?

[@travelingman21000]

@@SidetrackAdventures He lives there as long as the job is on going. Once the job is done he'll move on to the next job.

[@brianpowell5082]

Great video! I've heard of Desert Center and Desert Steve, but never knew the 2 were intertwined! My experience with Ragsdale was seeing his cabin site on top of Santa Rosa Mountain (only a chimney left!), and the painted poetry (repainted over the years) on the pine, fir, and cedar trees along Santa Rosa Mountain Road. So I am glad to learn a lot more about colorful Desert Steve watching this video! Cheers!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I've thought about going to check that out. Its interesting to hear the poetry has been repainted.

[@brianpowell5082]

@@SidetrackAdventures It would make a great video topic!

[@XCHANGEDAVE]

I always love hanging out with you. What an adventure thank you so much for taking us along.

[@edwardlincoln5680]

We stopped and ate at that cafe in 2006 when we hauled a car to the Barrett-Jackson auction in Phoenix. The station was closed but the gas pumps were still there. That circle of dead palm trees was still standing.

[@gregezquerro5239]

I was born and raised in the Imperial Valley and you know that area better than I do. I no longer live in Valley but still visit family there. Wow, I love your videos and they area great. I must be fun to be on your adventures! Thanks for the videos.

[@allenmurray7893]

I stopped to eat there at night in 1971, and tried to sleep a little. Then again in 1972 in the daytime. Unsuccessful both times. I liked it there. It was a great place to stop and rest. Sorry to see what has happened to it.

[@Atwater20]

Great video Steve, thanks.

[@debidehm9129]

Even in a place remote like this still has graffiti. That’s so sad people can’t just leave things be.

[@RobRoy2012]

Fascinating video, Steve. It's sad to see a place being left to wrack and ruin. However, your information gave an insight into the life the place and its people once had. Looking forward to next week.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you.

[@scotts.3600]

"Sidetrack Steve", would you be offended if we called you that. I've watched many of your videos, for some odd reason, this is my favorite. "Nuff sed."

[@chadly1337]

Great video as always. Just went by there this past weekend. Really interesting story. Something about the loneliness and history out there in the most desolate part of the PHX > LA drive is so cool.

[@tvdinner325]

I regularly used that gas station in the 80s and 90s. The palm tree design was really cool. The ones at each end, leaned at 45 degrees.

Palm trees aren't cheap. One of that size costs around $1000 each.

[@tvdinner325]

Not back then.

[@ScottDLR]

Thanks for the tour Steve. It's always a pleasure to find a new Sidetrack Adventure vid posted!

[@stevepigora7806]

I like your style. You choose interesting places to explore and privide good insight/stories about the area. Lookinhg forard to the next one(s).

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[@Lloyd-mo]

something serene and lonely yet exciting and welcoming about the desert.

[@TerryKnight-hw3pg]

Hard to explain the feeling about the desert especially when old structures are involved.

[@jamesmccormick3623]

Steve, you do such a great job. Thanks!

[@linedanzer4302]

Thank you. I really appreciate the historical photos. I, too, am amazed at how quickly nature reclaims itself.

[@andyamysarizonaadventures5450]

The last time I stopped there was the early 90s I remember the cool looking chp camero z28 police cars patrolling near.Those dining booths in the diner would be awesome to restore and put in a modern restaurant!

[@Riceman-o1p]

As always, great videos! I like stopping in this place and I also like exploring the abandon ghost town at the mine up the road. I park my car at the solar plant visitors center and then I ride my electric mountain bike up to the mine. You are not allowed in there but if you look at Google Earth you can come around from the back side and explore. There is still a little bit of activity up there so be careful. Then off to my favorite place to camp up the freeway which is Corn Springs. I will pass up the campsites and go further up the road and there are wonderful peaceful places to camp out. It is truly gorgeous desert country and the mining cabins up there are still in very good condition. Again, check it out on Google Earth first so you are better oriented. Lots of rattlesnakes. Thanks again for all your great videos. Super informative.

[@LeeFred78]

Thanks for the history of Desert Center, Steve. I've been passing by this area from the late 1970's until now and never knew that much about it. I had stopped in past for gas and snacks when it was still open. It was also a stop to make as the last sight of civilization when a group of us would head north on Highway 177 to the Palen Pass area to explore the US Army training areas from the 1940's.

[@delfincruz6786]

Thank you for your hard work in giving us a window to the past.

[@davisworth5114]

Great job, fasinating story about a good man.

[@kevinhermes]

I watch a lot of urban exploring videos on KZbin and I love the combination of that and history mixed in some of your videos

[@diane1390]

I love the art deco look of the outside of the old cafe.

[@paulas_lens]

I remember when they used to light the palm trees with Christmas lights - I would whistle that tune (like on the Corona commercial) as I drove by. Thanks for the history lesson. I was always curious of the story.

[@williamd4707]

I have driven past that place and wondered what the story was about. Thanks and I believe that this is right below Chiriaco summit by 18 miles or so. Chiriaco Summit is another interesting story, very interesting indeed and still very much active stop. This would make a great Sidetrack Adventure. Your shared adventures are always great.

[@someguy7805]

Yes. The General George Patton museum is there. Been there a couple of times. Great museum building with lots of artifacts, and a bunch of tanks outside on display.

[@kensakamoto258]

Thank you for the memory. My father and I used to stop for gas there on our trips around the desert back in the last 60's. I don't recall eating at the cafe. I think my father said there was a military base nearby where soldiers trained to go to Africa back in WW2.

[@arthurlevine1840]

Another stellar production of the seemingly endless forgotten historical curiosities in and around California. But that little market was once the biggest seller of Coleman camping equipment in the nation?? Perhaps the spirit of Steve Ragsdale was whispering a tall tale in your ear...

[@Brendan-Black]

Why do so many people feel the need to tag and destroy historic abandoned buildings? It's pathetic. And the absolute destruction of property is simply inexcusable, period; have some damn respect, folks.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Yeah, unfortunately being so close to the freeway makes it an easy target, but I always wonder who is driving around with spray paint in their car, we are miles from anything.

[@MarinCipollina]

@@SidetrackAdventures Idiots

[@kenmerritt738]

they spray paint rocks in the desert it’s beyond me

[@johnfrazier9327]

Very sad. Thanks for the tour and history. Throughout my youth we would drive out to Blythe to visit family and I remember stopping in here for breakfast/lunch. Was the perfect stop at the halfway point of the trip.

[@brandonexploredthis]

Great video!! You missed the abandoned RV park with everything left! I just did a video here there is also 100s of abandoned cabins here.

[@crherniman]

Where is the RV park in relation to the Cafe?

[@brandonexploredthis]

@@crherniman by the school! 🏫 I recorded this whole town!

[@WillMalone-pw3mg]

This episode was awesome! I’m loving this channel!

[@1sttigertiger426]

Steve, Thank you for (virtually) taking us on these explorations. Please take precautions on these journeys by having a capable partner, and tools for emergencies.

[@danielcraft3727]

What a shame. As a So Cal kid of the 60's sure disappointed in all. You don't know what you got till its gone. Paved paradise and put up a parking lot. Joni Mitchell. From coast to coast, sea to shining sea. This whole worlds gone to pot, sure gonna miss it alot. Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings.

[@Nonakame]

I just drove through there recently and didn’t know the history of the place. Thanks for enlightening me. Great video as always!

[@michaelhorn2557]

We used to have Eagle Mountain High in our league, along with Needles, 29Palms, Yucca Valley, Imperial, Holtville and Calipatria. My understanding was the whole area was owned by Kaiser Steel. Apparently except for Valley Center. All the homes, stores, streets, schools, etc. were owned by Kaiser. When the mine closed, so did the town. Nice video, sorry to see it now. It was a nice area before the mine closed.

[@trent1984]

When you picked up the newspaper I thought it would say sometime in the 90s, but 2012!?! Amazing how much entropy can happen in 11 years .

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Yes...and it reflects just how fast our society is deteriorating..Something has to change in the culture of America.

[@charlesroberts8803]

I ate in that cafe around 15 years ago. Seems like there were pictures of General Patton on the wall. You should have driven a couple of miles to the west on the old highway next to I-10 at the next exit. There was a plaque and the foundations of an army hospital from WWII still there.

[@dragsys]

I remember a bit more than 20 years ago travelling from LA to Phoenix to start my new adult life, during summer in an '86 Ford F-150 with no AC. My wife and I had to stop in Desert Center to cool off in the Cafe until the sun went down so we could finish the drive. The views of the Cafe with the windows broken out and abandoned is heartbreaking, but nothing is forever and I'm sure something will rise in it's place.

[@johngaither9263]

I stopped at the Burger stand once while enroute to LA in 1999. There was a whole desert to park the truck in as evidenced by a number of other big rigs parked for the night. They had run out of beef patties and only had buns, fries and drinks.