Historical Timeline
Prehistoric times
Long before there was a town, Native American groups like the Paiute, Shoshone, and Kawaiisu lived in the area we now call Ridgecrest. They left behind thousands of petroglyphs—carvings in rock that told stories of their lives, beliefs, and environment. The Coso Rock Art District, especially Little Petroglyph Canyon, still holds some incredible examples.
1826
Explorer Jedediah Smith passed through Indian Wells Valley, marking one of the first recorded non-Native visits to the region.
1834
Joseph Walker crossed through Walker Pass, opening a route others would follow into the Owens Valley and beyond.
1880s
Chinese workers who were helping build the Southern Pacific Railroad briefly lived nearby. A small settlement near a dry lakebed earned the name “China Lake.”
1912
A small farming town called Crumville was established, named after local dairy farmers James and Robert Crum. It was a modest place with just a few families trying to make a living off the land.
1941
The Crumville post office opened, a sign the community was taking root.
1943
The U.S. Navy chose the area for the Naval Ordnance Test Station, later known as China Lake. This changed everything. The quiet farm town quickly grew as workers, scientists, and military personnel moved in to support the base.
1962
Locals opened the Maturango Museum to celebrate the region’s natural beauty, desert wildlife, geology, and Native history.
1963
The growing town officially became the City of Ridgecrest. Its future would stay closely tied to the naval base.
1986
The Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert was formed to help preserve local landmarks, photos, and memories from the early days.
1995
A 5.4 earthquake shook the area. Though not catastrophic, it reminded folks they lived in earthquake country.
2019
On July 4 and again on July 5, two big quakes struck—a 6.4 followed by a 7.1. The shaking damaged roads and buildings, and put Ridgecrest in the national spotlight for a few days.
Today
Ridgecrest is home to over 40,000 people and still serves as the civilian neighbor to the military base at China Lake. It’s a gateway to the northern Mojave and places like Death Valley, but it also has its own story—one of resilience, science, and small-town pride in a desert setting.