District celebrates Ridgecrest s Living history
Ridgecrest Daily Independent
In case you missed it, Ridgecrest now has a downtown historic district. Although not an official title from the state, the designation is a way to acknowledge the historic importance of a cluster of buildings on and around West Ridgecrest Boulevard.
The city approved the designation on April 21, then on June 12 made an official presentation to Tex Hoppus, president of the Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert. [The district] is the living history of this community, said Mayor Eric Bruen, who presented the proclamation to Hoppus in a ceremony at the Historic USO Building.
Saturday will be the date for two intertwined events.
The Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Historic USO Building, 230 W. Ridgecrest Blvd. The event is to celebrate a major effort recently completed by the society. Two Quonset-style Engine Houses that date from 1948 and 1950 and were the town’s first fire protection buildings are now ready to be viewed. The Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert is the owner and steward of these historic buildings, and it has recently finished a major effort to repair and rehabilitate both of these treasures of Ridgecrest’s heritage, according to the group.
Council to consider establishing Ridgecrest historic district
Ridgecrest Daily Independent
Ridgecrest old-timers like to share memories of the city’s early days. The task has been made easier by the Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert, which maintains a cluster of historic buildings on and around West Ridgecrest Boulevard downtown.
When the Ridgecrest City Council gets together April 21 they will look at formally establishing a Ridgecrest Historic District which would include these buildings.
“What we are trying to do is preserve as much of old Ridgecrest as possible,” said Mayor Eric Bruen Friday.
The proclamation was initially suggested by the HSUMD, a 501(c)3 non-profit, as a way of preserving and protecting the area of historic significance.