Historical Timeline
Pre-1800s: The Serrano people were the original inhabitants of Lucerne Valley. They lived off the land, gathering desert plants, hunting small game, and traveling between mountain and valley with the seasons. Their knowledge of the land ran deep.
1867: On February 16, the Battle at Chimney Rock took place. This was one of the last major clashes between Native Americans and settlers in the Mojave Desert. Though the Native defenders fought bravely, they were eventually pushed back.
1873: Peter Davidson became the first white settler in the area. He set up a homestead at Rabbit Springs and ran a way station for travelers crossing the desert — a lonely but vital outpost.
1897: James “Dad” Goulding arrived and planted apple trees, vegetables, and alfalfa. Locals began calling the area “Lucerne,” after the French word for alfalfa, which grew well in the valley’s dry soil.
1912: The growing community held its first July 4th celebration. Around the same time, Lucerne Valley got its own post office — a big step for a frontier town.
1916: A fierce windstorm sparked a fire that destroyed both Lucerne Valley and Midway schools. Until they were rebuilt, students attended class at Rodman School.
1920s: Lucerne Valley became a popular spot for filming Westerns with its wide open spaces and rugged scenery. Movie crews brought some extra money and excitement to the otherwise quiet desert.
1928: Electricity finally came to Lucerne Valley. But old habits die hard—many families still used kerosene lamps for years afterward.
1947: The opening of the Dunton Quarry Mine brought jobs and helped bring the railroad closer to town. Mining became a vital part of the valley’s economy.
1950s: The town began to grow. Guest ranches popped up, Hollywood stars visited to escape the city, and the community built more schools and shops. Lucerne Valley was no longer just a stopover — it was becoming a real town.
1980s: Mitsubishi Cement Company bought the Cushenbury cement plant and became one of the area’s biggest employers, strengthening the region’s industrial ties.
Present Day: Lucerne Valley remains a rural, tight-knit community with deep roots in desert history. People still appreciate open land, self-reliance, and the quiet rhythms of high desert life.