Newberry Springs, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Newberry Springs
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Aerial view of Newberry Springs
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 Newberry Springs
Location in California
Newberry Springs
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | San Bernardino |
| Founded | 1911 |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 2,895 |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP codes |
92365
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| Area code(s) | 442 and 760 |
Newberry Springs is a small community in the Mojave Desert of Southern California. It is not an official city, but an unincorporated community. This means it is governed by the county instead of its own local government. Newberry Springs is located at the base of the Newberry Mountains in San Bernardino County.
The name "Newberry Spring" also refers to a natural spring in the area. In the 1800s, this spring provided water for the local Santa Fe Railway. It was also a popular camping spot. In 2000, about 2,895 people lived in Newberry Springs.
Contents
Exploring Newberry Springs: Location and Weather
Newberry Springs is about 20 miles (32 km) east of Barstow. It is also about 40 miles (64 km) west of the Mojave National Preserve. Death Valley National Park is about 100 miles (160 km) to the north. The community covers an area of about 117 square miles (303 sq km). It sits about 2,000 feet (610 meters) above sea level.
Climate in the Desert Oasis
Newberry Springs has a typical desert climate. Summer daytime temperatures average around 107°F (42°C). In winter, temperatures often drop into the 20s°F (-6°C). The climate is dry and cold. The area gets less than 10 inches (25 cm) of rain each year.
Newberry Springs is like a desert oasis. You can find old volcanic rock formations and lava beds here. There are also sand dunes, natural mineral springs, and hidden mud baths.
Water in the Desert
The area gets its water from the Mojave Aquifer. An aquifer is a large underground layer of rock or soil that holds water. The Mojave Aquifer is the biggest one in the Western United States. This water supply helps grow many different crops. It also creates several man-made lakes in the area.
Getting Around Newberry Springs
Two major highways, Interstate 15 and Interstate 40, pass through Newberry Springs. The BNSF Railway's main train line also runs through the town. This line connects different parts of the country. The historic Route 66 also goes through Newberry Springs.
A Look Back: History of Newberry Springs
Newberry Springs has had several names over the years. It was first called "Watson" in 1883. Then, the Southern Pacific Railroad named it "Newberry." The name changed to "Wagner" in 1911 and "Water" in 1919. Eventually, it went back to "Newberry" and then to "Newberry Springs" in 1967. This last change helped avoid confusion with Newbury Park.
Since its earliest days, Newberry Springs has been a vital source of water in the dry desert. Camp Cady, located 12 miles (19 km) north, was a resting and watering spot. It was used by wagon trains traveling to California in the 1850s. These travelers were on the old Mormon Trail. In the 1880s, the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad brought water from Newberry Springs to other towns. This made it possible for people to live in this dry region.
Farming and Ranching in Newberry Springs
The weather in Newberry Springs is good for growing many crops. These include pistachios, apricots, and alfalfa. Newberry Springs also has farms and ranches. They raise animals like ostriches, horses, buffalo, ducks, and turkeys. They also raise fish like catfish and koi.
Fun Activities in Newberry Springs
Water sports are very popular here. Newberry Springs has man-made lakes and water race courses. These are used for water–ski and jetski racing. Cheyenne Lake is one example, which is privately owned. The Horton Lakes Water Ski School and Wet Set Village are also in Newberry Springs. They have even hosted water ski tournaments shown on ESPN.
The desert also offers courses for motocross, dune buggy, and ATV racing. You can also enjoy camping, hunting, fishing, and wilderness backpacking. Paraflying is another exciting activity. Paraflyte Ranch, a school for paraflying, is located in the area.
Cool Places to Visit Near Newberry Springs
There are many interesting places close to Newberry Springs. You can visit the Calico Ghost Town, which is an old mining town. The Calico Early Man Site is also nearby. This site has important clues about early human life. The Camp Cady wildlife reserve is a great place to see nature. The Solar One project is also close by. This project uses green energy from the sun.
Every November, Newberry Springs hosts the annual Newberry Springs Pistachio Festival. North of Newberry Springs, you can find the former Lake Dolores/Rock-A-Hoola Waterpark. Newberry Springs is also home to the St. Anthony Orthodox Coptic Monastery.
The Newberry Mountains Wilderness Area is a beautiful natural area nearby. Another unique spot is Mrs. Orcutt's Driveway. This 4-mile long driveway was once used by Car and Driver magazine for speed tests!
Newberry Springs in Movies
Filming Locations
In 1987, the movie Bagdad Café was filmed in the area. The truck-stop restaurant from the movie is still there today. It is now visited by locals and tourists, especially from France and Germany, who love the film. The motel from the movie has fallen apart, but its foundation remains.
In 2015, Newberry Springs was also one of the places where the movie Sky was filmed.
