| Page Views: 750 Last Visit to Palmdale: September, 2007 I Visit Here Frequently | Palmdale by Yaqui - last update: Apr 17, 2008 |
Oldest Historical Landmark in Palmdale This little building served many lives and been moved to many locations. Built in 1886 as the first school of the Palmdale school district. It's original home was located on 27th East & Ave R-8. It served the Lutheran German settlers that ventured here from Nebraska. In 1899 it was no longer needed by the German settlers and then was moved to Lancaster to be a private residence for a spell. It soon was moved again to Tropico Gold Mine and used by mining families who came and went. Then in 1960 the Daughters of the American Pioneers had it declared a Historical Landmark and once again reclaimed and moved back to Palmdale 1988 where it sits for all future generations to enjoy.
Palmdale is part of the vast Antelope Valley, like her sister city Lancaster, she was able to established herself with the help of hardy settlers and the railroad. Although, a very small communities around 1888 existed due to the hardest German & Swiss immigrants who called their communities Harold, Alpine Springs, and Palmenthal because they mistook the Joshua trees for Palm trees. Had a neighbor from Colorado do that….lol! These new settlers brought with them much promise and seeds to grow wheat and fruit. They were actually successful for a period of time until drought hit, which is can be very common for the desert area. Soon settlers found themselves without crops or land due to shifty land promoters who left them illegal deeds. Settlements were abandon, so many moved on to outlining communities along the mountains and the rest headed to the nearest railhead of Southern Pacific around 1899, which is near the center of town and taking on a new name of Palmdale.
Once the Los Angeles Aqueduct was completed in 1914, (they got their cement from Monolith in the Tehachapi Mountains) which brought water for irrigation for crops and soon the valley was fertile again with Alpha, cattle, and fruit trees.
Palmdale is home of US Plant 42, many other aerospace industries and where the space shuttles were built. Now it is growing like her sister city of Lancaster by leaps and bounds, but stills is surrounded by vast desert landscapes and holding on to her rich past.
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Senator William J. "Pete" Knight Senator William J. "Pete" Knight (November 18, 1929 - May 8, 2004) passed away at the age 74 of acute form of cancer. He was an Republican senator from Palmdale, California who I had the pleasure of knowing during my military years when he was a colonel. The man I remember was always polite, soft spoken and complimentary to our work. He was a man I admired for many years, not because of the status he attained, but because of the man he was and his kindness. He never raised his voice or never reprimanded any of us. He was always a pleasure to launch and recieve from a flight. He flew over 100 types of fighter, trainer, bomber and transport aircraft. He flew the X-15 experimental rocket plane to 4,520 mph, seven times the speed of sound, which is still an unbroken speed record today. He will be so missed.
A Pilot's Prayer
For a vision in our youth, Dear Lord,
We are much beholden, and
With heartfelt respect we invite
Your presence here.
We come to celebrate those glorious
Years when you blessed us with more
Courage than caution and more
determined
Commitment than common sense.
Our vision was to fly, and we hardly
Considered that we might fail.
Eager and proud, innocent and confident,
We left farm and city, job and school,
And slipped from earth bound traces,
Our purpose held, and with Your help
We achieved our hearts' desires;
To serve as pilots in our country's
Causes; to fly in defense of freedom,
Truth and human dignity. | | |
> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]
| Pros: | "Lots of outdoor parks and shopping to enjoy" | | Cons: | "Lots of traffic and everyone is in a stinkin hurry." | | In A Nutshell: | "Palmdale growing and expanding into the future." |
Yaqui's Palmdale Travel Tips
| Overview | Things to Do
Tips: 5 - Photos: 19 | | | Restaurants
Tips: 1 - Photos: 5 | Hotels & Accommodations | | | | Nightlife | Off The Beaten Path | | | | Tourist Traps | Warnings Or Dangers | | | Transportation
Tips: 1 - Photos: 5 | Local Customs | | | | Packing Lists | Shopping | | | Sports Travel
Tips: 2 - Photos: 7 | General Tips |
 Comments for Yaqui about Palmdale | | | | |
evaanna Fri Oct 9, 2009 10:00 UTC
Your passion for history makes your pages so interesting to read. I'm sure lots of people would enjoy Palmdale - there are so many things to do there. | lynnehamman Sat Aug 15, 2009 14:17 UTC
excellent facilties here for a weekend of fun. | msbrandysue Fri Aug 14, 2009 21:56 UTC
Sounds like a great weekend trip. I'm so hungry for bbq now!! :) | ATXtraveler Sun Apr 20, 2008 21:39 UTC
Wow... looks like my hometown is growing! |
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