Alpine, Los Angeles County, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alpine, California
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former Unincorporated community
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 Alpine, California
Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County |  Los Angeles |
| Elevation | 868 m (2,848 ft) |
Alpine, also known as Alpine Springs or Harold, was a small settlement in Los Angeles County, California. It was located about two miles south of where the city of Palmdale is today. An "unincorporated community" means it was a place where people lived, but it didn't have its own local government like a city does.
Contents
A Railroad Stop and Post Office
Alpine started as an important stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad. This stop was called Alpine Station. It was located where Sierra Highway and Barrel Springs Road are now.
The Trego and Harold Post Offices
A post office called Trego Post Office opened at Alpine Station on July 1, 1884. However, it only stayed open for a few months. On December 18, 1884, its name was changed to Harold.
The first Harold post office was established on December 19, 1890. It closed on September 16, 1894. Another Harold post office opened on July 13, 1895. This second post office operated until June 15, 1901, when its services were moved to nearby Palmdale.
Why Alpine Shrank
Alpine Station was mainly home to people who worked for the railroad. As the new town of Palmdale grew, Alpine (or Harold) became smaller.
Losing the Railroad Depot
Alpine was once the main railroad center for the Palmdale area. But in 1892, the railroad depot was moved to Palmdale. By then, Alpine had shrunk to just a hotel, a saloon, and a few houses.
The Reservoir's Story
South of Palmdale, there was a reservoir built in 1897. It was created by the Antelope Valley Irrigation Company and was known as the Alpine or Harold Reservoir. It was also called Yuna Lake, which is now Lake Palmdale.
This reservoir became less important in the 1920s. That's when the Little Rock Creek river was dammed. This created a new, larger reservoir called Little Rock Dam. This new dam could hold much more water for Palmdale.
Hopes for a Resort
In 1908, some investors hoped to make Alpine a popular vacation spot. They started building the Alpine Springs Hotel and Sanatorium on the west side of Sierra Highway. However, the construction was never finished.
What Remains Today
By 1926, only a few small buildings and the Harold Square Deal Garage were left in Alpine. Today, the area is home to the Alpine Springs Mobile Home Park.
Some parts of the old settlement still exist in local names. For example, you can find streets named Harold Second, Harold Third, Harold Beech, and Harold Ash.
See also
In Spanish: Alpine (condado de Los Ángeles) para niños
