Zzyzx: The Illegal Resort and The "King of Quacks"

[@Rottingboards]

This man made a Research center and helped secure the existence of a chub. That is more than I have done in my life. I salute with this man with a glass of wine.

[@RubysCreek]

Thanks for satisfying my curiosity. I've wondered about Zzyzx Road for years. It's story is much more interesting than I could have guessed!

[@MasonObscura]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@barrydysert2974]

By making it a place name, Zzyzx became the last word in the English language. Once enough people accepted it as word, it was a word. 🙏

[@jinglemyberries866]

the part about the fish in the pond which have been unintentionally preserved is interesting.

[@sandycheeks7865]

My wife and I were drawn to the Zzyzx freeway exit on our slow drive from Big Bear Lake to Vegas via Baker, but we never actually found the Zzyzx resort - instead ending up at Kelso Depot (i think it was called) - another oasis in the middle of the desert! Also the pink phone box.

[@Rottingboards]

Pink phone box...interesting.

[@bsfatboy]

You did alot a work for this vid. Nice. I visited this place before. I walked around not knowing what the limits of where we could go. There really no signs saying you can't go anywhere so walked all over the place.

[@g1mpster]

After driving past the sign on a couple of trips, I looked into it and after reading the history I stopped there on my next drive through. It was a cool little detour. I love all the forgotten history like this. Next time I’m going through Barstow I want to detour to “the fastest driveway in America”. If you don’t know about it, check the history on that one. It’s an awesome story.

[@MasonObscura]

I've got a video on that one too

[@g1mpster]

@@MasonObscura nice! I just discovered your channel so I’ll have to go look for your video on it.

[@bushidocedar]

My favorite Rush song

[@averymasters]

Don't tell me about an endangered fish called Chub and not show a pic! lol, but awesome info and great scenic shots, enjoyed the vid.

[@MasonObscura]

I stood on the edge of that little pond for 20 minutes waiting for a chub to appear. Didn't see a single one. It's like they know they're endangered.

[@MarcoLandin]

Driving between LA back to Vegas, I always stop there, usually at night. Kinduva ritual of mine. Look at the stars, then leave after about an hour. That's some CRAZY history!

[@jeffweaver7011]

Interesting story. So many things get lost in history. Thanks for spreading the word. Used to drive truck and remember seeing the exit. Never thought of Zzyzx as a word. I had seen exits named wwd or jj road. Never know what's down a road. And you can't go down every one.

[@phosawelonewolf2886]

Really interesting.

[@shawnhasty7480]

I just discovered your channel and I must say you do a great job. The time it must take to research some of these topics has got to be very consuming. Thank you for your time and effort. Your videos are unique and interesting. I have only seen a couple. The man that tunneled for half of his life was completely mind blowing. I wish you great success in your endeavors and look forward to seeing more of your videos. I will hit the like and subscribe. Thanks again and be safe.

[@MasonObscura]

I appreciate the kind words! Thanks for watching, I hope you enjoy them.

[@kevinbyrne4538]

How many ponds, springs, and rivers are there in the Mojave Desert?

[@VRed37]

Very interesting! Thanks for taking me along.

[@MasonObscura]

My pleasure!

[@Malaphor2501]

I'm still curious why Stones Sour called their song Zzyzx Road.

[@armandhammer9617]

Must've been something to his mineral water he lived to be 100

[@CincinnatiDan]

Died just under 89 years old. His wife though, likely a beneficiary of the tonics, did live more than 100 years. Likely, the CoViD got her.

[@teresaluther9416]

On the 15 freeway going to LasVagas north

[@robertcross5794]

I want to know about the vehicle @4:02. It looks like a stretched Suburban.

[@kurtvanluven9351]

DARN, I went on this road, just not far enough. (Did you find the un-official shooting range)?

[@MasonObscura]

Must have missed it!

[@kurtvanluven9351]

@@MasonObscura Instead of going straight, you bear left. I picked up lots of brass there. Whoa, those are still in my trunk (10 years later!)

[@BenMallerThe]

I have to say him preserving that fish although unintentional was another thing that he preserved its name to. Weather in men to that's another story, so ironically very well could be the one good thing that anyone knows that he did and he wasn't even trying to do it.

[@thedunelady]

I've been to the research station for a desert workshop. We pronounced it "ZYE-zix" instead of "ZIZZ-ix". Not sure which is right. I love crazy history tho.

[@CurtisMiller-w9m]

Isn’t there a place near Albuquerque with a similar name?

[@Mechanic618]

Watch out for the scarecrow there

[@SocietyFinder]

Fuck yeah dude

[@CurtisMiller-w9m]

Who bears the title today for King of Quacks?

[@JessHull]

at least the fish are ok .

[@CincinnatiDan]

Everything built during the depression was done so by poor, itinerant men… it was the Great Depression..

[@docholliday5439]

00:36 leave it to the federal government to take what they want and not give a damn about who was there first. I am sure there was bloodshed involved! Shame on them for almost exterminating the indigenous peoples of this continent. Going back in history and seeing what our government has done sometimes make me feel ashamed to be Caucasian! 🤠🌵🌵🌵🇺🇲

[@MasonObscura]

It's an unfortunate reality for sure

[@sleazysid253]

Ashamed to be white? Stop.

[@musicfreak2738]

You probably should first learn how to pronounce the place you did a whole video about.

[@MasonObscura]

Ok... How's it pronounced?

[@musicfreak2738]

@@MasonObscura I posted two links to the correct pronunciation, why did you delete that comment?! lol

[@MasonObscura]

I don't delete any comments. KZbin does sometimes though.

[@1138Savage]

10,000 subscribers!? Only 10 comments? You’re making millions of views quality content . I just found your channel and it is incredibly interesting. Keep this up ill watch every vid 💪

[@Narelle2530]

Must have done something right to be able to build, fund & maintain such a place. If Government & AMA wanted him locked up and defamed and completely shut him down then they had their reasons. Where is the actually recorded history and photos of the place in its day ? He forced poor men from Skid-row into labour, how ? Surely there are visitors accounts of such a scam and victim testimony regarding forced labour or at least some sort of evidence that what they say happened 🥱🤔