Scenic 395 - The Official Guide 2019/2020

records and artifacts of the history and de- velopment of Ridgecrest, the Indian Wells Valley, and the surrounding areas. This mu- seum owns and has restored the communi- ty’s first civic buildings for you to explore. These include the Historic USO Building – this USO Club started in World War II when Ridgecrest had about 100 citizens! There is also the first county jail in Ridgecrest, the first firehouse, and the first fire engine hous- es. Recently, a one-room schoolhouse built in 1905 has been restored and used to create the region’s only Veterans Memorial Build- ing. The China Lake Museum, founded in 1993, features the history of the U.S. Navy and Civilian workers accomplishments in the Indian Wells Valley. This museum dis- plays a large variety of weapons systems – past and present – as well as technology de- velopments used by both military and civil- ian. At their new facilities in Ridgecrest, you can view a variety of displays inside and walk outside around some of the military aircraft that have been used by the Navy here in China Lake. All three of these museums have Gift Shops that offer books, DVDs, hats, shirts, and many other gifts that capture the histo- ries of the area. But that is not all there is for you! After enjoying your stay in Ridgecrest and visiting our three museums, you can head east toward Death Valley using Highway 178 Scenic Corridor. You can stop by the nearby 2019-2020 Scenic 395 18 Ridgecrest China Lake Where America Comes For Defense !"# $ % &'(( Highlighting the accomplishments in weapon development created through a unique military and civilian partnership.Veterans fromWWII, Korea,Vietnam and recent middle Eastern conflicts have used weapons developed at the NavalAir Warfare Center-Weapons Division, China Lake. 130 Las FloresAve, Ridgecrest CA 93555 China Lake Location 1 Pearl HarborWay Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert Join the Historical Society! Help preserve Local History Monthly Presentations on Local History 3rd Tuesday, 7:00 PM Monthly Newsletter Field Trips Local History Publications Open Mic Nights Non-Flex Fridays at 7 PM Movie Night Wednesdays of Flex Week at 7 PM Visit our Gift Shop 11 AM to 3 PM -Mon-Sat See’s Candy In Stock AllYear Rent the Historic USO Building for your next event! Wedding Receptions • Sweet 16 Parties • Office Parties Call John Abbott @ 619-808-2223 for more info Visit the Historic USO Building • 230 W. Ridgecrest Blvd ,&!(',#)+- , ,!&- - ',$,%)+- , ,#- ",+ ,%$&- - *!*')%&- * (',)+- ",+ ,%$- + ) &-#(++*#!,%$-+(#)+- (!(& * (') ,+,)- * * *'-"&- *%-#+*)%,%$-("!- ("'-$)')$* - &" ('$-- - --- Continued on Page 19 JESSICA WESTON/REPRINTED BY PERMISSION OF THE DAILY INDEPENDENT A group of visitors look over an exhibit at the new location of the China Lake Museum. Continued from Page 17