Life in Palmdale Reminds us of California’s History and Invites us to Look into the Future.

12/2/2020 (Permalink)

Is your Palmdale North home damaged from water? Call SERVPRO to mitigate your issue.

Let Antelope Valley and Palmdale Show you the Beauty of the West Coast.

Palmdale may lie in Los Angeles County, but equating it to life in Hollywood is a disservice to life in Antelope Valley. The separation from the Los Angeles Basin, marked by the San Gabriel mountains, is sometimes considered more than a geographic border. Regardless, California's beauty is appreciated at every corner, as is the confluence of the different cultures that have inhabited Antelope Valley over time.

It is known that Native Americans were the first people to live in what we now know as Palmdale, and its valley was mainly a route for travelers coming from modern-day Arizona and New Mexico to the coast. When Spanish soldiers explored the area and settled the land, large cattle ranches became the norm. It wasn’t until the late 1880s that larger ranches were divided and given to other Europeans hailing predominantly from France and Germany.

One can only imagine how European settlers felt about their farming attempts in Palmdale. Despite their best efforts, growing crops in a desert climate fraught with the threat of droughts made many people give up on farming and seek other endeavors. The Southern Pacific railroad offered the promise of other lands, and many settlers moved closer to the station. A post office also operated close to the tracks, and the new congregation adopted the name of Palmdale, and its point of origin is where the civic center stands today. Despite its name, the Southern Pacific traveled mostly in the western U.S. and played a pivotal role in history thanks to its connecting San Francisco with Los Angeles. The well-known Wells Fargo stagecoach also visited the Palmdale station on its way to New Orleans.

When we read or listen to the news today, we often hear of California’s struggle with lack of water. Not surprisingly, water scarcity was a real challenge as Palmdale was being established, but William Mulholland came to change people’s lives. This Irish-American man was a self-taught civil engineer capable of building the Los Angeles Aqueduct. This vital structure provided water supply to Los Angeles and, in consequence, allowed it to grow. Although his work created conflict about water rights between farmers in the Owens Valley (where the water supply originated) and the Los Angeles constituents, his legacy still lives on. Sadly, William Mulholland was also responsible for the St. Francis Dam's failure, which ruptured in 1928 and killed over 400 people. The St. Francis Dam was never rebuilt. Mulholland's infamy was unfortunate, as Palmdale owes its agricultural success to having adequate water and irrigation.

Palmdale’s expansion did not stop with the aqueduct. In 1921 the Mint Canyon/Lancaster Road was completed, effectively connecting Los Angeles and Palmdale. Today, the road is known as the Sierra Highway, and it is well known for its picturesque landscape. It originally ran from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe and was also known as El Camino Sierra. 

Mountain passes, including Soledad Pass in the San Gabriel Mountains, allow travelers to enjoy the beauty of California’s natural resources.

As time progressed, Palmdale’s primary industry shifted from agriculture to aerospace, which has gained it the name of “Aerospace Capital of America.” History lovers may even know of the Battle of Palmdale, which took place in August of 1956. A runaway drone launched from Point Mugu Naval Air Station lost control, and Oxnard Air Force Base ordered interceptor aircraft to take off and neutralize it. Surprisingly, the drone out-maneuvered the interceptor aircraft and only came down when it ran out of fuel and crashed in the desert. Land and property were destroyed in the incident, many due to brushfires. Thankfully, no human life was lost.

Life in Palmdale

If you live or visit Palmdale, you need to be aware of its temperatures and geography to prepare. 

Here are some things to remember-

• Palmdale lies close to the San Andreas Fault, so earthquakes of all magnitudes are not uncommon
• Its winters are cold, hovering around freezing temperatures from November to late January
• Summers are warm with temperatures generally in the 80s

Compared to other parts of the country, Palmdale has minimal rain to speak of, and its vegetation reflects that, including California poppies and juniper berries.

With the gentrification of South Los Angeles and well-known Compton areas, there has been a shift in population in Palmdale. Despite a reputation for unrest and social discord, Compton has surfaced as a desirable area to live in, effectively pricing out some residents. As a consequence, Palmdale has changed. Even though the city remained mostly white until the 1970s, most recently, the Hispanic and African American population has grown, along with other minority groups. Industry has also diversified from agriculture and aerospace, even though they continue to be among top employers for the area.

Water Damage in Palmdale

Unpredictability has been the keyword in 2020, and it seems like all of us are a bit extra cautious these days. In particular, homeowners should pay close attention to the state of their homes and take action if repairs need to be done. Storms are not out of the realm of possibility in Palmdale, and preparing for water mitigation activities can mark the difference when a water event occurs.

Our team at SERVPRO can be your right hand as far as water restoration is concerned. Our expert staff prepares to handle emergencies of all sizes, ranging from those coming from an overflowing bathtub to stormwater coming in through a roof leak. Not only do we focus on restoring damaged areas, but we also concentrate on avoiding cross-contamination in your home. By bringing in specialists and industrial equipment, we can tackle the most challenging jobs, including specialty drying solutions and move-outs as needed.

SERVPRO of Palmdale North is an exceptional resource when life happens, and your home is in peril. Call us at (661) 526-3649 and let our staff bring its knowledge base to your home. With our help, you can go on with your life, “Like it never even happened.”