Zzyzx (Zi-zics) according to some sources is the last word in the English language. The name, which Rhymes with Isaac's, was formulated by a charlatan, religious fanatic as the name of his "health and mineral spa". Doc Springer's, who was no doctor, duped elderly and infirmed people to come to the spa for cleansing of mind, body and soul.
Springer's operation started in 1944 when he lay a mineral claim on a stretch of land just west of Soda Dry Lake in the Mojave desert. The land had lay vacant for the pervious thirty some years after the last of several mineral salvage operations had gone belly up. (At the turn of the 19th century, numerous companies tried to extract the various salts from Soda Dry Lake). For the next 30 years, Springer built and built on his land completing a hotel, 2 artificial lakes, a church, a bath house (complete with fake mud baths) and numerous supporting structures. Springer built the land on donations from patrons whom he tricked to come and stay at Zzyzx. Since Springer claimed that it was a "religious institution", he had to pay no taxes on the entire operation. Another way he avoided taxes was he never finished construction on any buildings.
The government finally got tired of his act, seized the land and put Springer behind bars. The land was turned over to the California State University system where CSU Fullerton runs a desert studies center. The name Zzyzx still seems to fascinate people.
For a complete history of the Zzyzx area, you can get the book ZZYZX: A History of An Oasis by Anne Q. Duffield-Stoll.
Each photo is a thumbnail. Click on the photo or select the title to view in higher resolution
Options
| View | More Mojave Photos | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| More pictures of the U.S. | More Scenic Landscapes | Comments: | |
All photos by John L. Polos
Copyright November 5, 1997
Updated April 15, 2004
 Ant Lion (Myrmeleontidae) |
 Sunrise over lake |
 Resort rooms |
 Bell tower |
 ZZYZX Road Sign |
 Praying Mantis (Mantodea |
 Lake |
 Resort |
 Palm and Moon |
 Green Lace Wing (Chrysopidae) |
 Whiptail (lizard) (Cnemidophorus tigris ) |
 Fish Hook Cacti |
 Flowering Cacti |
 From my window |
 Unidentified lizard |
 A natural formation? |
 From down the road |
 Looking out at Soda Dry Lake |
 Palms |
 Man Made Lake |
 Collared Lizard (Crotophytus insularis bicinctires ) |
 Katydid (Tettigonioidea) |
 Collared Lizard (Crotophytus insularis bicinctires ) |
 A row boat? |
 Man Made Oasis |
 Sunrise |
 Praying Mantis (Mantodea |
 Whiptail (lizard) (Cnemidophorus tigris ) |
| The hand is of an adult male. As you can see, this is a very large Katydid. Don't worry, it is the hand of an Entomologist. An Entomologist would never dream of squashing an insect this large. |  Katydid (Tettigonioidea) |
 Desert Hair |