Wonder Valley homestead (#1003)

Scattered throughout Wonder Valley are very many small shacks (~500 sq ft) on large parcels of land. Very many of those are the results of the BLM Small Tract Act which was granting 5 acres for basically free as long as you built and lived in a structure on the property; the homes are sometimes referred to as “homestead shacks”. Given that Southern California was growing very rapidly after the war (WWII), the promise for a cheap house and open land was attractive to many, particularly returning WWII veterans. The problem is, though, that the area is quite remote with only one paved road and no services except in Twentynine Palms – and a long summer of 100+(F) heat with no shade. Driving through the area, you’ll find most of the small homes abandoned. The link below is a story of one family that lived there; if you click on the “Wonder Valley” keyword, you can see other pictures I’ve taken in the area in the past.

www.citylab.com/equity/2014/12/the-last-homesteads-of-wonder-valley-california/383372