Valley Wells, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Valley Wells
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 Valley Wells
Location in California
Valley Wells
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Inyo County |
| Area | |
| • Total | 10.737 sq mi (27.809 km2) |
| • Land | 10.669 sq mi (27.632 km2) |
| • Water | 0.068 sq mi (0.177 km2) 0.64% |
| Elevation | 2,234 ft (681 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 0 |
| • Density | 0/sq mi (0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 2408400 |
| Reference #: | 443 |
Valley Wells is a special kind of place in Inyo County, California. It's called a census-designated place, which means it's an area that the government counts for population, even if it's not a city. In 2010, the census reported that no one lived there!
Before 2010, Valley Wells was part of a larger area called Homewood Canyon-Valley Wells. Even though it's empty now, Valley Wells is important because it's a California Historical Landmark (number 443). This means it has a cool story from 1849. Back then, groups of pioneers from the Midwest came here looking for water. They hoped to find it at nearby Searles Lake.
Contents
A Look Back: Valley Wells History
In 1849, many groups of pioneers were traveling across America. They faced many dangers and hardships, especially when they were trying to get out of Death Valley. When they reached this area, they were desperate for water. They thought they could find it at Searles Lake.
The 1849 Journey
Imagine how excited they must have been to find a lake! But their excitement quickly turned to sadness. They discovered that the water in Searles Lake was salty, not fresh. It was undrinkable!
Feeling very discouraged, they had to turn away from the lake. They headed north and west, facing huge challenges. They had to cross tough mountains, like the Argus Mountains, with great difficulty. Finally, they reached towns in Central and Southern California. Valley Wells marks this important spot where they realized their hopes for water were dashed.
Fun Things to Do: Recreation
Even though Valley Wells doesn't have many people living there now, it used to be a popular spot for fun activities. People from a nearby town called Trona, California, would come here to enjoy the water.
Golfing in the Desert
Today, Valley Wells is home to the Trona Golf Course. You can find it right on Valley Wells Road. It's a unique place to play golf, surrounded by the desert landscape.
The Valley Wells Recreation Area
Valley Wells also has a special place called the Valley Wells Recreation Area. This area is looked after by the Searles Lake Gem and Mineral Society. They help keep it nice for everyone to enjoy. The land itself is owned by Searles Valley Minerals, Inc.
See also
In Spanish: Valley Wells (California) para niños
