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The Antelope Valley has a long and
interesting history. From the Eighteen Hundreds when
Native Americans would meet to feast and trade between
the different tribes, to the Nineteenth Century when
farmers and cattleman shared the lands to make a life for
their families. The High Desert has fascinated people.
Even today, man is still trying to conquer this harsh but
beautiful land.
In the mountains southwest of what
is now known as Lancaster. Native American tribes would
come from as far away as Arizona to meet at Lake Hughes
and celebrate in song and dance the events of the last
year. This had become a Neutral Zone of sorts. Here, they
had water to drink and food was plentiful. This was a
place in which all tribes agreed that differences and
disputes should be put to the side, and brotherhood as a
people should be embraced. For more information on the
Native Americans that shared this land before us. Visit
the Antelope Valley Indian Museum.
From around 1942 till present day.
The desert has been home to the Aerospace industry. Here
in this seemingly barren wasteland, man was once again
finding new uses and challenges for the land known as the
Antelope Valley. It was here in 1947 that Brig. Gen.
Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier at Muroc Army Air
Field now known as Edwards AFB.
Man and the Antelope Valley have
gone through many changes in the last 200 years. Even
though the Native Americans that once gathered in Lake
Hughes have long since moved on to other areas. Lake
Hughes is still visited by many different people from all
parts of the world. Many come here to get away from the
day to day world they live in. Wanting to be a little
closer to nature and perhaps relive the camaraderie once
shared by our Native American ancestors.
by James Robert Burns
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