An Unusual Name
Zzyzx, a name that stands out even on maps, is located in the Mojave Desert of California. The name was coined by Curtis Howe Springer in 1944, who claimed it to be the last word in the English language. Springer, a self-proclaimed minister and health enthusiast, founded a health spa in this remote desert location, naming it Zzyzx to ensure it would always appear at the end of alphabetical lists.
The Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa
Springer established the Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa on land he didn’t legally own. He promoted the site as a health resort, offering supposed cures for various ailments using the local mineral waters. The spa included a hotel, a church, a radio station, and even a man-made lake. For nearly 30 years, people traveled to Zzyzx in hopes of finding wellness and relaxation in the desert oasis.
Legal Troubles and Eviction
Despite the spa’s popularity, Springer’s operation was not without controversy. He was eventually accused of squatting on federal land and making false medical claims. In 1974, federal marshals evicted Springer, ending his reign over the desert spa. The government took over the land, and the buildings were abandoned.
A New Chapter
Today, Zzyzx is part of the Mojave National Preserve and serves as the Desert Studies Center, managed by a consortium of California State Universities. Researchers and students use the site for desert ecology studies, breathing new life into the once-abandoned oasis.
Zzyzx: The Desert Outpost with a Curious Name 🏜️
An Unusual Name
Zzyzx, a name that stands out even on maps, is located in the Mojave Desert of California. The name was coined by Curtis Howe Springer in 1944, who claimed it to be the last word in the English language. Springer,… pic.twitter.com/WANoqemUBn— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TBBOB2) August 13, 2024