Given that southern California used to be a major oil producing region and there are many wells still operating here, I found it ironic to see a 60+ acre gasoline refinery completely decommissioned. The site was eerily quiet and surreal. Here’s the remainder of the site. Sorry for the delay, but getting ready to move is taking a large amount of time and planning.

The Refinery



( Industrial decay [13 behind the cut] )

Given that southern California used to be a major oil producing region and there are many wells still operating here, I found it ironic to see a 60+ acre gasoline refinery completely decommissioned. The site was eerily quiet and surreal. I’m breaking the refinery pictures into two sets merely for size of the download.

The Refinery



( Industrial decay [21 behind the cut] )

Last summer badgerphone, my kids and I went out to meet and explore a site referred to me by horizon_eyes - an abandoned oil refinery. Given that southern California used to be a major oil producing region and there are many wells still operating here, I found it ironic to see a 60+ acre gasoline refinery completely decommissioned. We got there before our companions and had the chance to explore three houses which lay abandoned outside the refinery gates.

House 2 & 3



( Little (crack) house of horrors [20 behind the cut] )

I feel comfortable posting some photos that I’ve been sitting on for a while. In fact, till very recently, I hadn’t wanted to post anything from this trip because some of the unpleasant memories from the day. Long story and I’m not going to go there.

Last summer badgerphone, my kids and I went out to meet and explore a site referred to me by horizon_eyes - an abandoned oil refinery. Given that southern California used to be a major oil producing region and there are many wells still operating here, I found it ironic to see a 60+ acre gasoline refinery completely decommissioned. We got there before our companions and had the chance to explore three houses which lay abandoned outside the refinery gates.


Welcome and mind your step

( Memories hang heavily here [17 behind the cut] )

One of the things that disturbs me about many of the recent abandonments in area is the rapid speed in which many of these houses are pillaged and often burned. In the Antelope Valley (north of Los Angeles) there’s a rumor that developer are hiring “crash crews” to systematically salvage and trash recently evicted properties is the house is in the path of potential housing developments.. While I can’t offer proof, far too many houses in this area show signs of arson with weeks or months of being cleared. This house was no exception inside, though the fire was caught very early.



( Enter the house of sorrows (14 behind the cut) )

In the 1950’s & 60’s, the Antelope Valley was full of ranches, farms and dreams. Some dreams last, others fade, some turn to nightmares. This 1950’s era ranch home was one my kids and I found on a random prowl this past January. I’m just getting around to posting it due to available time. The house was huge and appears to have been expanded several times over the decades. Unfortunately it appears to have been the site of a forcible eviction.



( Ranch style desolation (14 behind the cut) )

What a great day.

I slept in till 9 which for me is unheard of. Woke up happy and well rested (even benefiting from some very pleasant dreams). After getting a slow start out the door, we drove out towards Thousand Oaks. The plan was to visit the small botanical garden there (Conejo Valley Botanic Garden) and then met with a friend and independent recruiter) for dinner. I had a few back-up plans just in case. I brought along abandoned site info in case we had time.

The result, 60 photos from a lovely community botanical garden, and 100 photos from a house found along the 101 Freeway, The "Scary Dairy" in Camarillo, and "The Wheel Inn" in Oxnard. Even better, our dinner companion (the kids were along), gave me a good Oxnard reference to contact about photographing The Wheel Inn complex (before it's torn down).

Great dinner, a trip to Barnes & Noble, glorious conversation and it was capped off by a dusk drive up California Highway 126. What makes that special? The highway cuts through one of the most amazing micro climates. It's full of groves, fruit orchards and strawberry fields. Everything was in bloom, so from just east of Oxnard all the way to Piru (25 miles), I was having a non-stop ollifactory orgasm. Orange, almond, and strawberry blossoms mingled with the smell of fresh eucalyptus, rose and neroli. I am without doubt, very happy tonight.

For those interested in the story here's follow up on the double murder and the immenent destruction of the Hawes Communcations Relay (Helendale Bunker). Back in January, two teenagers were shot dead execution style in the large military bunker in the desert east of Edwards AFB, California. After extensive on-line leads, four arrests have been made. Both the shooter, his principal accomplice and two lookouts are in custody for the crime. For whatever reasons, the district attorney is not going for the death penalty for the shooter.

In related news, the Bureau of Land Management which controls the site and the USAF which owns it, have commenced the demolition process. I held off mentioning this till now so barriers and security could be established and no final sight-seers would attempt the visit. According to Air Force and press releases, the site will be down by my May. No explosives will be used and instead the upper sections of the bunker will be broken up and dumped into the lower casements of the old AF station. Following that, the dirt which once covered exterior of the bunker will be backed over the rubble.

The Corvina Café – The Long Road Home

On the drive out, we stopped at another iconic site along the eastern shore of the Salton Sea. The Corvina Café once served travelers along California Hwy 111, and guests of the nearby Corvina Beach resort, campground and RV Park. It appears now that only the RV Park remains. I’ve not been able to find much info on the café, so instead I’ll merely leave you with these images taken before the long drive home.



( Drive-In memories (8 behind the cut) )

Bombay Beach – Long road to ruin

According to the US Census in 1990, Bombay Beach showed a little over 900 residents. By the 2000 Census that is down to 368 residents and stats further show the residents are either retirees, or low median incomes. In simple terms, they’re either to old and stubborn to leave or they’re too poor to find a way out. These are the kinds of folks that endure the smell, the toxic clouds of alkali salt stirred up by wind storms and polluted waters nearby.

As a case in point, after exploring the ruins on the lake side of the levee, we backtracked to a home complex on the “live” side of town. According to a youngster who gave me and fynoda something of a guide tour of this place, the extended family that had lived here for decades, finally found another place in Riverside and had planned to come back to get the rest of their stuff.. Several years passed and people ransacked the house. See, people don’t sell their houses/trailers here, they abandon them and deny they ever existed.



( Paradise lost? (21 behind the cut) )

Bombay Beach – Long road to ruin

Bombay Beach was founded in Oct of 1928. Originally it was planned as a vacation community for the very rich. The Great Depression sank that hope. Military bases close by and the abundant natural beauty of the place, brought renewed attention in the late 1940’s. By the mid 1950’s, Bombay Beach was growing. The beach resort and trailer campground was constructed and two marinas served the area. At one point the area had over 2000 residents. Times change and by the late 1960’s the Salton Sea was taking hits right and left. To the south, the agricultural development of the Imperial Valley increasing removed more inflow to the Salton and replaced it with tainted farm run-off. The salinity of the Salton continued to increase to the point that only the hardiest saltwater fish could survive.


Suspended in oblivion

( If the shoe fits (21 behind the cut) )

Bombay Beach – Long road to ruin

Bombay Beach is a small community on the east side of the Salton Sea. Originally, it was developed on a low sane. Low is something of an understatement as Bombay Beach is the lowest settlement in North America (-223ft below sea level). It also sits pretty much on top of the San Andreas Fault. While it would not be a far reach to say the town was really poorly planned, Bombay Beach also suffers from several other significant problems. The Salton is broad and shallow, so when the wind blows there, the lake can shift. The surrounding area became marsh and as the salinity of the water increased in the 60’s, these became salt bogs. What should have been the coupe’ de gras for Bombay Beach was a series of serious tropical storms which hit southern California in the winter of 1976 – 77, inundated the southern half of the town (500 lots). A large dike was hastily built to protect the northern half but the damage was done. Now the remains of the southern half of town are slowly but steadily sinking into a salt bog.


Salt crusted remains

( Sinking into the depths, 1mm at time (17 behind the cut) )

The North Shore Motor Lodge

Just a short walk from the Yacht Club was another lingering memory of the Salton’s unique past. The North Shore Motor Lodge and later the North Shore Motel was a typical 1960’s era efficiency motel for vacationers enjoying the beach, the boating and natural beauty of the Salton Sea. The rooms were spacious by today’s standards; there was pool, a snack bar (no restaurant) and well, the Beach in easy walking distance. It didn’t last..



( Welcome to the Hotel California.. (20 behind the cut) )

The North Shore Yacht Club – Inside

Back in January, eightwednesday and I gathered a group of the SoCal Abandoned folks together and visited one of the most amazing abandonments in the region – the communities fading away along the edges of The Salton Sea. Due to more than a few reasons, our party was smaller than anticipated but very motivated. For example, I drove an hour and half just to pick up one person and then two more hours to get to the meet up site for the group.


Doorways and pathways to the past

( It’s not oblivion. That’s just down the road and take a right.. (14 behind the cut) )

The North Shore Yacht Club – Outside

Back in January, eightwednesday and I gathered a group of the SoCal Abandoned folks together and visited one of the most amazing abandonments in the region – the communities fading away along the edges of The Salton Sea. Due to more than a few reasons, our party was smaller than anticipated but very motivated. For example, I drove an hour and half just to pick up one person and then two more hours to get to the meet up site for the group.


The North Shore Yacht Club

( It’s not oblivion. That’s just down the road and take a right.. (15 behind the cut) )

Back in January, we conducted our second SoCal Abnadoned trip. The target for this trip was the Salton Sea and the abandoned resorts and communities around the north and east side of the water. While I've been woefully slow in processing and posting my images, I have uploaded my son's photos from in and around the North Shore Yacht Club and the Bombay Beach ruins. Did I mention, Chris is 8?



( slowly sinking into oblivion )

The interiors of the support building and the pro shop were in surprisingly good shape. Well good is a relative term.. Both building were probably dated to the 1950’s and had been substantially up graded to modern appearance.



( Get your drinks and your balls… (14 behind the cut) )

For those who commented on pouring concrete on Christmas Day, weather in the Antelope Valley can be a bit fickle in the winter. You take what day you can to do some things. Given that the house was probably the ground’s keeper’s place once upon a time, that day may have been to only one he wasn’t busy on. As noted, this was originally part of a recreation center and full size golf course which supported nearby Liberty and Victory Fields (WW2 era pilot training sites).

I’m going to split the posts on the Pro Shop/Bar and the Shed into two. Not to draw it out further, but because I really don’t want to put up close to 25 images at once..



( Four!!!!!.. (9 behind the cut) )

After a bit of exploring the “newer” house, we decided to venture next door to the old one. The newer house was 1950’s vintage with upgrades in the 1970’s and 80’s. This house was probably 1930’s construction with additions in the 1940’s including a porch step from 1945. It was finding the date on the porch step that peaked my curiosity. Further research on the site and the area, showed me that this was originally part of a recreation center and full size golf course which supported nearby Liberty and Victory Fields (WW2 era training sites for pilots). The military background and desert brown goes a long way to explain the color plan in these houses.



( The buzzing isn’t in your head.. (14 behind the cut) )

I’m taking these trips a bit out of order but I figure this might be a good example of why I go exploring – over-development. Angela (my companion of much of last summer) and I went to a site she found near Lancaster. She found what had formerly been a full-sized golf course, which shrank down to a driving range, then shrank to merely a golf shop and attached houses. By the time we explored it, the local mega-developer “KB Homes” had already built soulless subdivisions on the three other corners adjacent to this site, and this area showed signs of impending demolition. I searching it, we found more than a few cool surprises. I’m dividing this into three sections, one for each house, and one for the golf shop/bar.


The newest of the houses

( Out of bounds (10 behind the cut) )