From Boom to Bust to Boom to Bust: Eagle Mountain, CA
The United States has many ghost towns scattered throughout the West. Most have the same story: A deposit of some precious metal is discovered, then a town is set up and people flock to the new town in search of riches. Eventually the natural resources of the area run out and if the town had no other industry, it would die.
A unique story is that of Eagle Mountain, California. A rich iron ore deposit brought Henry Kaiser (of Kaiser Steel and Kaiser Permanente fame) to the area in 1948. The mining produced iron ore for 35 years before the land was exhausted and operations shut down.
Eagle Mountain was not done, however. Numerous attempts to bring industry back to revitalize the town have tried, and failed, to resurrect the old mining site. So what is standing in the way of progress? The answer might just be surprising.
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A Kaiser Foundation
In 1942, industrialist Henry J. Kaiser built the West Coast’s first steel mill in Fontana, California. However the rich iron ore deposits were over fifty miles away, accessible by train via the Eagle Mountain railroad.
To reap greater financial rewards, Kaiser purchased the land with the rich iron ore deposits outside Fontana.
Kaiser founded the town of Eagle Mountain in 1948 with the intent of setting up an open-pit mining operation for the iron ore. Similar to Fordlandia, Eagle Mountain was a company town; the town was founded with the single intent of acquiring natural resources from a remote location.
(Click thumbnails to enlarge)
Rise & Decline
Henry Kaiser raised the appeal of his company town by offering all the typical services one would have in a city: Eagle Mountain had wide paved streets, dormitories, and over 400 private homes. Kaiser also added lighted tennis courts, several schools, an auditorium, a park, a shopping center, a swimming pool, a bowling alley and almost a dozen churches. When completed, Eagle Mountain was a typical American small town.
Production from the mine was increased for World War II and at its peak, the town had a population of over 4,000 people.
The mine produced a steady supply of iron ore for 25 years until the 1970s, when environmental concerns started curtailing mining operations. During this time the population in Eagle Mountain would dwindle to 1,890.
By 1980 only 750 workers remained at Eagle Mountain. A year later the Kaiser Corporation announced a planned phasing out of the mining operations altogether.
The post office, opened in 1951, would close in January of 1983. In June of 1983 the final high school class graduated, and soon after the mining operations were shut down permanently.
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Eagle Mountain Railroad
Second Chance
Despite no longer having industry and thus no source of income, several stayed behind in Eagle Mountain. For some it was out of financial necessity; for others it was home and family history wouldn’t let them leave.
Three years later, hope for the struggling town would improve; in 1986 the Department of Corrections proposed placing a private prison on the land. Plans were approved, and by 1988 the old Eagle Mountain shopping center had been converted into a prison.
For the next 15 years the small town would enjoy a small resurgence. Unfortunately a series of budgetary cuts in 2003 would see the prison closed. With no other industry to support the remote town, Eagle Mountain would fall dormant once more.
Third Chance
There were proposals in the late 1980s to turn the giant open-pit mine into a modern sanitary landfill. Refuse would be shipped via train on the unused Eagle Mountain Railroad, from Fontana to Eagle Mountain.
Numerous environmental lawsuits would hold up the project, and after fighting litigation for nearly a decade, the private ownership group finally gave up in 1999. For now, it seemed Eagle Mountain was once again doomed to be a ghost town.
Renewed hope for the landfill plan came in August of 2000 when Eagle Mountain received EPA approval as a refuse site. Despite the approval from the EPA, more environmental lawsuits would pop up and again. Since the law requires all lawsuits be resolved before landfill operations can begin, the project was held up once more.
Another decade later, the lawsuits still continue to keep the project from progressing.
Eagle Mountain mining complex
Bleak Future
In 2011 Eagle Mountain was reportedly dealing with the final lawsuit. Unfortunately for the small town it might be too little too late; a lot has changed in the waste disposal industry the last 25 years.
Los Angeles and Fontana have long since signed contracts with other waste management sites, leaving Eagle Mountain looking for a host industry once more.
What do you think? Is there an industry that would suit Eagle Mountain and keep it alive?
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Any idea how accessible this place is? I looked it up on the map and it looks to be in close proximity to Joshua Tree National Park, so I would think it isn’t very accessible.
It appears like it would be one hell of a road trip and camp out/BBQ on a long fall evening.
And only now, I notice your “Map it!” link. :palmface:
I am a former resident of that town. It is not accessible to the public, has a fence and guarded gate at the road leading into town. You have to establish a connection for access. There is no water and quicksand pits in various locations outside the town limits. Not recommended for night visits. It is also 60 miles from the nearest real town, only a shell of a town within 12 miles.
Thanks so much for your insight, it is always a pleasure to have someone from an article’s location share their personal accounts.
ME TO . I WAS AROUND 9 YEARS OLD. I WAS A RESIDENT BACK IN 1978.. IN 1979 I WAS 1 OF 2 GIRLS KIDNAPED FROM THIS SMALL TOWN. YES BAD BAD MEMMORIES. THE FIRST GIRL THAT WAS TAKEN SADDLY WAS KILLED BY THIS MAN JUST A FEW DAYS BEFOR HE GOT ME. ” PART OF ME IS STILL THERE” I HAVE TO GO BACK, I REALY NEED TO CLOSE THAT DOOR.
IM STILL LOST OUT THERE. CANT EXSPLANE ALL I KNOW IS I HAVE TO WALK THAT PATH I WALK THAT DAY. I NOW LIVE ABOUT 2 AND AHALF HRS. SOME DAY REAL SOON ILL BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT NIGHTMARE END WHEN I FACE MY FEAR ! EAGLE MOUNTIN. THE OLD TOWN ITS SCHOOL AND THAT DANG PIT THAT WAS AT THE END OF MY STREET, (THE ROCK QWAREIE) IF ANYONE KNOWS HOW I CAN GO BACK THERE EVEN IF ITS WITH A SITE MANAGER COP WHAT EVER, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT reneefischle21@yahoo.com PLEASE !
It was almost a magical time and place, those who lived there miss it for those reasons. Lake Tamarisk, a small man made resort town is only 7 miles away. Indio is the place 60 miles away, but to someone who now lives in a much bigger city, I realize that was not so far away
I just have to go to USA. I love ghost towns.
This is really interesting! I find places that have a story like this fascinating and some day want to plan a road trip around the US visiting them. Something that you would probably find interesting is the Salton Sea, located south of Palm Springs. My husband and I went there last year while we were visiting San Diego (we drove 6 hours round trip to visit this place and it was well worth it). The history is super interesting- the result of man altering the natural terrain which became a destination for the rich and beautiful until it slowly starting dying. You should look into it!
I got what you mean , regards for posting .Woh I am happy to find this website through google. “Wisdom doesn’t necessarily come with age. Sometimes age just shows up by itself.” by Woodrow Wilson.
It’s sad to see our town in such shambles, I’d love to see it again but not sure if it would be better or worse to see it like that. Need to see my old friends there, that would make it better.
If you want to see it, check out the EM reunion on September 27th. Talk to Stephanie White for clearance.
This is definitely not a location for casual exploration. It’s fenced, guarded and not maintained for public safety. Although it appears to be abandoned, it is guarded 24/7 and even snooping around the perimeter will garner attention of a guard in a pickup who will watch you. It was open for years but due to the actions of some, it is now fenced and locked up.
This is almost a sacred location to the people who grew up here, and yet we cannot get in to see it. Our homes are in ruins or were sold off in the eighties and moved. But, we still treasure it and would hate to see anyone go in and get hurt in the unmaintained streets or homes or get arrested for trespassing. That would only make it harder for those of us who call this our hometown to ever get to go in even on a very limited guided basis every few years.
However, you can see a bit of Eagle Mountain by looking at the Youtube videos of Top Gear shows that are filled there, pulling down shells of houses, racing through streets, riding down mountainsides. One is a Suburu versus a Yamaha bike. Look it up.
Just don’t try it yourself. It’s remote, quiet, guarded and hard not to be noticed. Also, if you did get hurt and were not noticed, it could be years before your remains were found. If you were found right away, you might face a criminal complaint. Not trying to scare anyone, but I wouldn’t go there without permission, and I’m from there. Very different from an old town that just died off when the ore gave out.
Jane: Talk to Stephanie White about the EM reunion on September 27th. Possible access granted.
I’d love to see the tailings pile gone so the view could be restored, and the town rebuilt. That tailings pile grew and grew and grew. It was background for many of our photos in the sixties.
Did it ever occur to you (or to any of us for that matter) when we lived there that having the elementary school right across the road from the tailings as a somewhat unsafe idea? It didn’t occur to me until many years later,
I miss our town. I only lived there for four years, (1964 – 68), but it has always been home to me. If you haven’t done so yet, look up the Eagle Mountain Refugees FaceBook page. Cheers!
I loved watching the trucks back up and dump at the top of the pile. I was in Mrs. Salveson’s class in third grade and spent a lot of minutes watching out the window. It never dawned on me it could be dangerous, or that one of the dump trucks could actually back over the side.
i love ghost towns!! id love to go to usa and see all these places..
my family lived here in 1956 to 1957 no stores no schools just the mine ulgy place for a teen.
I really enjoyed this —-all the scenic pictures and old houses etc—-my husband and I lived at Eagle Mountain—in June 1961 for about 3 weeks–we lived in a mobile home—I believe ? it was space # 3—-my husband Frank Dobbins Jr—died suddenly on July 2 1961—–and we had 2 children—-Cindy 4 yrs and Jim 18mos—-I have often wondered how it would be to live there—-we lived in Desert Center for almost a year before that—–I worked at the diner in Desert Center—and my name is Marianne Dobbins and I would love to hear from some one that lived in either place——-I live near San Diego now—–have a great day—–Marianne——my e-mail address is -Dishied@ Juno.com
Hah Hah! the liberal fools and the EPA strike again! They are clueless.
Fool yourself. As a former resident, I would hatee to see it turned into a landfill. There were other options considered, including an hydraulic power generation plant. I think more profitable and environmentally friendly options exist. I’d like to see a reason for people to move back there again. A garbage dump isn’t the answer.
I lived in Eagle Mountain (1209 Smoketree) from 1975-1977. I have many happy memories of living there. It’s so sad to hear how it is now. I live in Alaska now and am taking my family on a road trip in a few short weeks to WA, OR, CA, AZ and NM. We’ll be stopping in Desert Center to visit relatives and hope to make the drive to Eagle Mountain…at least to the gates. Too bad we can’t go see the old house though.
~Dawn (Hamilton) Duval
WOW YOUR THE CLOSEST PERSON IVE FOUND THAT WAS CLOSE TO SAME YEARS WE LIVED THERE
BUT MY MEMMORIES HERE ARE NOT OF HAPPY TIMES. PART OF ME DIED OUT THERE . THAT MAN HE THAT KIDNAPED ME ,IM JUST NOW STARTING TO REMMEMBER WHAT ALL HAPPEN. IM SCARED AS HELL. I HAVE TO FACE THAT PLACE AGAIN , NOW SO THAT PART OF MY LIFE CAN HAVE SOME MEANNING.
i never lived in em that long but loved it. it will always be home
Lived in EM from 1966 to 1983. Many great memories and many not made as we can’t visit our beloved town or even attend a homecoming game. No going home for the holidays either. Maybe one day the owners will have a homecoming for all who grew up at such a great place.
i lived in EM from 65 to77 we were so happy there now all i have is my mom and step dad here and we want to go back so bad for a visit
Eagle Mountain, a town filled with fond memories. I graduated in 1977, I loved my high school, and the teachers were awesome. My classmates were a blast. My name is Irma Gott (Garcia). There were two Irma Garcia’s, one in the 7 th grade and myself a senior. The flash flood is one of the strongest memories. I used to work part time at the summit truck stop. Any former classmates out there? Email me, at irma.gott@yahoo.com
I recognize this town from Top Gear USA!
We tried to visit at the end of January 2012 for part of a “History of Kaiser Permanente” project my wife was putting together. She has worked for Kaiser for more than 20 years. There is a gal who works at a nearby clinic serving the residents in the area and Desert Center who can grant access, and I was directed to her by one of the folks at the mobile home/retirement village near the EM site. Unfortunately that visit sort of fell apart. Something changes in 2012 where it essentially went from “free escorted access” to having to get a permit at some outrageous cost because they now see it as having commercial potential for movies and TV (e.g. like the Top Gear episode mentioned previously.The only part of the site that is accessible is the Henry J. Kaiser school at the far Southwest end of town. The rest of the town is fenced off to prevent vandalism and for safety reasons. I can confirm there is a guard and full time maintenance person who occupy the buildings at the Southeast corner on Kaiser Road, and they can see your car coming up the road from more than a mile off. They may not make their presence known, but if you try to cross the fence line or go out of their site, they will introduce themselves. We shot pictures of the school and houses from the fence line, but when we walked too far away from our car, the guard came out and made sure we knew he was there. He was a nice guy but no amount of social engineering was able to get us in, even for five minutes as we really wanted to photograph the main street with the shopping center/converted prison. If you’re going, be prepared for a long drive without a lot of success.
If you want to get a picture of the original Eagle Mountain sign, it is actually behind the Kaiser Steel rail car leaning up against a tree by the diner in Desert Center close to the 10 freeway.
So its those tree huggers who are the reason why this town wont prosper again.
to those who have said they love ghost towns. I was raised there from age 6 to18. Eagle mountain is my home. I miss it and it makes me sad in a way few can understand to see it in its current state. You see I had no idea what we had there until it was gone. I am 48 now and still long for home.
Hello, keith i remeber you and had a great time being your friend.Going to school together and playing sports what a great time growing up.
It;s not treehuggers, so much as ore prices: http://www.indexmundi.com/commodities/?commodity=iron-ore&months=60
With China’s rising demand, this mine might reopen.