C&T Publications Eye On Fine Art Photography - September 2014 | Page 18

Nevada John chanced upon a local desert character known as Francis “Borax” Smith, who just happened to be mining this mystery
crystal that John had found in 1862. Enlightened about his rich find John quickly purchased and staked claim to 640 acres of this dry
lake bed and formed the San Bernardino Borax Mining Company. Today this lake bed is known as Searles Dry Lake.
In 1913 the company town of Trona was formed around the mining works, with a bustling population numbering in the thousands.
Over the years the population began to shrink, until, in 2010, the town was listed as having only 18 people living in it. Records for
2014 state that there is a zero population. However, an accurate counting cannot be done for Trona so it is best to assume that the
town actually holds a fairly large “shadow population” made up of ex-convicts, squatters, drug addicts and those operating
“kitchens” for the production of crystal methamphetamine. During our sojourn through the remains of the town we came across a
few hardy hold-outs who were trying to survive in this town that they loved and had been living in for many years. Sadly, leaving
home for a vacation, or even a quick shopping trip to Ridgecrest for food was a risky endeavor, leaving one's home and sanctuary at
the mercy of thieves and junkies. Even police and sheriff's deputies, when offered free housing in the town in an effort to re-civilize
the place, refused, due to the dangerous elements living here. Take this as a warning. Do not visit Trona alone, unarmed or after
dark. Wandering into what appears to be an abandoned house could land you face-to-face with some not very nice people who
would not hesitate to harm you.

If you decide to visit go with a group. Be alert to everything and everyone around you. Do not wander off alone and do
not let your guard down. Most of all, be prepared for the rollercoaster of emotions a place like this can tickle out from
your psyche. One minute you will be looking around wistfully and thinking how peaceful it would be to live here and
what a wonderful thing it would be to restore some of the old buildings to their former glory. That American desire to
build and re-build will be a strong one. Just when you start to get lost in that nice little daydream the logical side of your
brain kicks in and screams...”Are you INSANE? Let's get out of here, NOW!” You will listen to that logical side of yourself,
climb into your vehicle, and start the long, monotonous drive out of Trona and towards civilization, and as you give a
final glimpse to the desolation and ruin the inevitable feelings of depression and sadness will take hold, most likely to
hold on until you are halfway through the desert and Trona begins to seem like a just a dream or distant memory.

The E-Z Serve gas station. Out of service and out of time. © Cindy Ackley Nuinn

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