I show it to my students as part of a lesson on environmental policy. Maybe I should be using it and California City to teach them about economics (except I'm not an economics teacher).
Submitted by PadreBrian on August 18, 2009 - 7:47pm.
Hehe:
pri, from your link:
"It was a landmark case, no pun intended," Donney said, describing the largest refund ever obtained to that date by the FTC. The settlement also called for a written warning on sales materials given to potential buyers. The caveat, reminiscent of the warning on cigarette packs, reads: "You should consider the value of any of our land to be uncertain. Do not count on an increase in value."
It is a lasting legacy. The warning is still found on California City tract maps.
It might be out of the way, but at least I will own it and be able to escape this hellish rat race if the need should arise.
Is there any water out there? Maybe you could drill a well. Seems like there would be plenty of electricity if you had solar panels. Not sure what you could do for food, maybe eat rattlesnakes.
Better stock a gun or two out there if the Mad Max scenario hits -- it is remote...
The google earth images of that place are amazing BTW.
Submitted by PadreBrian on August 18, 2009 - 10:03pm.
The water is brackish there, so it's only good for the odd tree or pistachios. Back in the 50's the aqueduct and stealing water from Owens lake was the savior.
Submitted by paramount on August 18, 2009 - 10:29pm.
Even if temporarily I could place a Park Style trailer on the property if it were allowed.
As far as water goes, I think I could construct a small water tower, and have water shipped in as required.
I was also considering the foothills of the Sierra's as well.
I really think I could buy a lot in California City for under 10k.
I have also considered Landers and Joshua Tree.
People think I'm crazy when I mention this scenario of buying land and putting a manufactured home on the land. On the other hand this is my current situation:
Yes, I have engineering degrees; but that and .50 cents might buy you a cup of cheap coffee.
I work in the high tech world, I'm well over 40, my company is literally laying off by the hundreds, and I make over 100k.
High tech companies in particular don't really hire people like me: the perception being we cost to much and make to much.
So if I loose my job I will likely loose my house, so at least I'll have somewhere to go.
Submitted by Zeitgeist on August 18, 2009 - 10:31pm.
I think you could find a cheaper place closer to civilization if you were willing to work on a fixer. If on the other hand, you want the solitude and land it would work out and you could work from home if you had the right connection. You could run it fairly cheaply on solar, but I am not sure of the water unless you wanted to dig a well and then I would test the water. There are some birth abnormalities and cancer clusters because of chemicals in the water. You could probably live there free and clear, but it might be a bit solitary.
Submitted by PadreBrian on August 18, 2009 - 10:58pm.
Zeitgeist wrote:
Sounds like the perfect place for the mega jails of the future for all the dissidents and terrorists.
They already have a nice prison. Look at the google maps again. It's just off that 20 mule team road. It's a private prison used for mexican nationals and other hard to place criminals.
That is a growth industry and should be reason enough to buy land there for future investment.
Private prisons are a growth industry, I agree. I have family that live in Florence AZ - home to a state prison, a county lockup, an INS facility (aka prison), and at least one CCA facility. This is a small town that found their economic niche.
(And yes 1 cousin is a corrections officer and another used to be a social worker in the the prison system.)
I show it to my students as part of a lesson on environmental policy.
I hope you realize that the current Salton Sea was created by the accidently breach of a dike in 1905 during a heavy rain season. It's kinda like a puddle of water that develops during a heavy rain, only to evaporate when the weather is drier. Why we feel we need to "save" the Salton Sea is beyond me.
Reference:
The creation of the Salton Sea of today started in 1905, when heavy rainfall and snowmelt caused the Colorado River to swell and breach an Imperial Valley dike. It took nearly two years to control the Colorado River’s flow into the formerly dry Salton Sink and stop the flooding. As the basin filled, the town of Salton, a Southern Pacific Railroad siding and Torres-Martinez Indian land were submerged. The sudden influx of water and the lack of any drainage from the basin resulted in the formation of the Salton Sea.
Submitted by sdduuuude on August 20, 2009 - 8:45am.
By the way, thanks for posting that 1990 article. I didn't know Cali City existed. Very interesting story. I have to wonder if the population of CA City boomed through 2005.
I show it to my students as part of a lesson on environmental policy.
I hope you realize that the current Salton Sea was created by the accidently breach of a dike in 1905 during a heavy rain season. It's kinda like a puddle of water that develops during a heavy rain, only to evaporate when the weather is drier. Why we feel we need to "save" the Salton Sea is beyond me.
Reference:
The creation of the Salton Sea of today started in 1905, when heavy rainfall and snowmelt caused the Colorado River to swell and breach an Imperial Valley dike. It took nearly two years to control the Colorado River’s flow into the formerly dry Salton Sink and stop the flooding. As the basin filled, the town of Salton, a Southern Pacific Railroad siding and Torres-Martinez Indian land were submerged. The sudden influx of water and the lack of any drainage from the basin resulted in the formation of the Salton Sea.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea
The Salton Sea is no accident. It is there because it's part of the Colorado River delta and the Salton Trough caused by the San Andreas Fault. It was controlled by the silt of the river.
There were many times in history that the river would flow directly into it and not to the ocean due to silt damming. The sediments are as deep as 1200' in some areas. Basically the El Centro is sitting on top of the sand from the Grand Canyon.
To say that a puddle of water that sits below sea level in the middle of a rift valley that is always moving apart and is next to one of the largest drainage basins on our continent is "Caused by accident" is a little short sighted
I show it to my students as part of a lesson on environmental policy.
I hope you realize that the current Salton Sea was created by the accidently breach of a dike in 1905 during a heavy rain season. It's kinda like a puddle of water that develops during a heavy rain, only to evaporate when the weather is drier. Why we feel we need to "save" the Salton Sea is beyond me.
Yes, that is something that is discussed in the film and we discuss as a class. The two main arguments for saving the Salton Sea are 1. - it provides a stop for migratory birds that have lost coastal wetlands due to development (houses, etc.) and 2. the dry parts of the sea cause dust storms that appear to be having adverse effects on the residents of the Palm Springs area (increase in asthma, etc).
The Salton Sea documentary is definitely worth watching. Historically interesting and funny as well.
When I was living in LA a few years back I met one of the guys who produced it. After meeting, him I saw the film at the festival in Temecula. Now I'm a fan, but I don't think he's done any films since.
The environmental questions surrounding the Salton Sea are tricky. It's true that it probably would not exist today if it were not for human activity (folly?). As California's largest lake, it is definitely part of the environment -- no matter how it got there. I hope it can be sustained as I think it has the potential to be a beautiful place. But I'm not ready to buy property there just yet...
Near the end they show the septic trucks lining up and dumping directly into the new river, sending it right to us. With the $400 million dollar gift for border violence we just gave then, couldn't there have been a clause about not putting poop in the river.
Near the end they show the septic trucks lining up and dumping directly into the new river, sending it right to us. With the $400 million dollar gift for border violence we just gave then, couldn't there have been a clause about not putting poop in the river.
2,500 sqft home went for $360k back in 2006. that's $144/sqft for middle of nowhere at the peak.
That's because Edwards AFB is right next door. With both Lancaster and Palmdale turning into gang-ville, the real Cal City isn't half bad. Maybe that old coot 50 years ago was on to something. lol
Submitted by PadreBrian on August 21, 2009 - 12:39am.
CONCHO wrote:
Near the end they show the septic trucks lining up and dumping directly into the new river, sending it right to us. With the $400 million dollar gift for border violence we just gave then, couldn't there have been a clause about not putting poop in the river.
Submitted by teacherSD on August 21, 2009 - 9:21am.
pri_dk wrote:
When I was living in LA a few years back I met one of the guys who produced it. After meeting, him I saw the film at the festival in Temecula. Now I'm a fan, but I don't think he's done any films since.
That sounds a lot like the Salton Sea. A really cool documentary about it came out a few years ago.
http://www.saltonseadoc.com/trailer.html
I show it to my students as part of a lesson on environmental policy. Maybe I should be using it and California City to teach them about economics (except I'm not an economics teacher).
pri,
Those scars are from 1958, not 1990. But yeah, I agree, there will always be a bank who will blow tax payers money in the name of profits.
Look up Nat Mendelsohn for details on the Cal City 1958 development.
Hehe:
pri, from your link:
"It was a landmark case, no pun intended," Donney said, describing the largest refund ever obtained to that date by the FTC. The settlement also called for a written warning on sales materials given to potential buyers. The caveat, reminiscent of the warning on cigarette packs, reads: "You should consider the value of any of our land to be uncertain. Do not count on an increase in value."
It is a lasting legacy. The warning is still found on California City tract maps.
I see California City as having great potential, at least for me.
I have been interested recently in acquiring inexpensive land and dropping a manufactured home on top if it.
It might be out of the way, but at least I will own it and be able to escape this hellish rat race if the need should arise.
It might be out of the way, but at least I will own it and be able to escape this hellish rat race if the need should arise.
Is there any water out there? Maybe you could drill a well. Seems like there would be plenty of electricity if you had solar panels. Not sure what you could do for food, maybe eat rattlesnakes.
Better stock a gun or two out there if the Mad Max scenario hits -- it is remote...
The google earth images of that place are amazing BTW.
The water is brackish there, so it's only good for the odd tree or pistachios. Back in the 50's the aqueduct and stealing water from Owens lake was the savior.
Sounds like the perfect place for the mega jails of the future for all the dissidents and terrorists.
I have been interested recently in acquiring inexpensive land and dropping a manufactured home on top if it.
It might be out of the way, but at least I will own it and be able to escape this hellish rat race if the need should arise.
I have visited. I wouldn't live there.
Even if temporarily I could place a Park Style trailer on the property if it were allowed.
As far as water goes, I think I could construct a small water tower, and have water shipped in as required.
I was also considering the foothills of the Sierra's as well.
I really think I could buy a lot in California City for under 10k.
I have also considered Landers and Joshua Tree.
People think I'm crazy when I mention this scenario of buying land and putting a manufactured home on the land. On the other hand this is my current situation:
Yes, I have engineering degrees; but that and .50 cents might buy you a cup of cheap coffee.
I work in the high tech world, I'm well over 40, my company is literally laying off by the hundreds, and I make over 100k.
High tech companies in particular don't really hire people like me: the perception being we cost to much and make to much.
So if I loose my job I will likely loose my house, so at least I'll have somewhere to go.
I think you could find a cheaper place closer to civilization if you were willing to work on a fixer. If on the other hand, you want the solitude and land it would work out and you could work from home if you had the right connection. You could run it fairly cheaply on solar, but I am not sure of the water unless you wanted to dig a well and then I would test the water. There are some birth abnormalities and cancer clusters because of chemicals in the water. You could probably live there free and clear, but it might be a bit solitary.
Another possibility is Borrego Springs - still San Diego county and I for one enjoy heading out to Borrego.
Lot's can readily be bought in Borrego around the 15k range.
They already have a nice prison. Look at the google maps again. It's just off that 20 mule team road. It's a private prison used for mexican nationals and other hard to place criminals.
That is a growth industry and should be reason enough to buy land there for future investment.
An Engineer making over 100K in salary should know the difference between "loose" and "lose".
Just saying.
Private prisons are a growth industry, I agree. I have family that live in Florence AZ - home to a state prison, a county lockup, an INS facility (aka prison), and at least one CCA facility. This is a small town that found their economic niche.
(And yes 1 cousin is a corrections officer and another used to be a social worker in the the prison system.)
Hey - for that matter, why not move to Florence - you can pick up a 2007 home for well under $100k.
http://www.homes.com/listing/91331243/67...
And, hey, they put in the super Walmart over in Coolidge - so it's not the boonies anymore.
http://www.saltonseadoc.com/trailer.html
I show it to my students as part of a lesson on environmental policy.
I hope you realize that the current Salton Sea was created by the accidently breach of a dike in 1905 during a heavy rain season. It's kinda like a puddle of water that develops during a heavy rain, only to evaporate when the weather is drier. Why we feel we need to "save" the Salton Sea is beyond me.
Reference:
The creation of the Salton Sea of today started in 1905, when heavy rainfall and snowmelt caused the Colorado River to swell and breach an Imperial Valley dike. It took nearly two years to control the Colorado River’s flow into the formerly dry Salton Sink and stop the flooding. As the basin filled, the town of Salton, a Southern Pacific Railroad siding and Torres-Martinez Indian land were submerged. The sudden influx of water and the lack of any drainage from the basin resulted in the formation of the Salton Sea.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea
Salton Sea was created by the accident
An old saying - "A doctor's mistake is buried 6 feet deep, and an engineer's mistake is a standing monument"
Just saying.
Are you kidding? That's one reason why I went into science in the 1st place, my grammar stinks and my math skills are only slightly better.
In this economy if you have a 6-figure income and you get RIFed, it's unlikely you will get back to 6 figures anytime soon if at all.
Just saying.
You don't hang out with engineers much, do you ?
Just saying.
You don't hang out with engineers much, do you ?
LMAO - isn't that the truth!
By the way, thanks for posting that 1990 article. I didn't know Cali City existed. Very interesting story. I have to wonder if the population of CA City boomed through 2005.
http://www.saltonseadoc.com/trailer.html
I show it to my students as part of a lesson on environmental policy.
I hope you realize that the current Salton Sea was created by the accidently breach of a dike in 1905 during a heavy rain season. It's kinda like a puddle of water that develops during a heavy rain, only to evaporate when the weather is drier. Why we feel we need to "save" the Salton Sea is beyond me.
Reference:
The creation of the Salton Sea of today started in 1905, when heavy rainfall and snowmelt caused the Colorado River to swell and breach an Imperial Valley dike. It took nearly two years to control the Colorado River’s flow into the formerly dry Salton Sink and stop the flooding. As the basin filled, the town of Salton, a Southern Pacific Railroad siding and Torres-Martinez Indian land were submerged. The sudden influx of water and the lack of any drainage from the basin resulted in the formation of the Salton Sea.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea
The Salton Sea is no accident. It is there because it's part of the Colorado River delta and the Salton Trough caused by the San Andreas Fault. It was controlled by the silt of the river.
There were many times in history that the river would flow directly into it and not to the ocean due to silt damming. The sediments are as deep as 1200' in some areas. Basically the El Centro is sitting on top of the sand from the Grand Canyon.
To say that a puddle of water that sits below sea level in the middle of a rift valley that is always moving apart and is next to one of the largest drainage basins on our continent is "Caused by accident" is a little short sighted
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/21931-...
2,500 sqft home went for $360k back in 2006. that's $144/sqft for middle of nowhere at the peak.
http://www.saltonseadoc.com/trailer.html
I show it to my students as part of a lesson on environmental policy.
I hope you realize that the current Salton Sea was created by the accidently breach of a dike in 1905 during a heavy rain season. It's kinda like a puddle of water that develops during a heavy rain, only to evaporate when the weather is drier. Why we feel we need to "save" the Salton Sea is beyond me.
Yes, that is something that is discussed in the film and we discuss as a class. The two main arguments for saving the Salton Sea are 1. - it provides a stop for migratory birds that have lost coastal wetlands due to development (houses, etc.) and 2. the dry parts of the sea cause dust storms that appear to be having adverse effects on the residents of the Palm Springs area (increase in asthma, etc).
The Salton Sea documentary is definitely worth watching. Historically interesting and funny as well.
When I was living in LA a few years back I met one of the guys who produced it. After meeting, him I saw the film at the festival in Temecula. Now I'm a fan, but I don't think he's done any films since.
The environmental questions surrounding the Salton Sea are tricky. It's true that it probably would not exist today if it were not for human activity (folly?). As California's largest lake, it is definitely part of the environment -- no matter how it got there. I hope it can be sustained as I think it has the potential to be a beautiful place. But I'm not ready to buy property there just yet...
Here's another one worth watching, it's a pbs docu about the new river that feeds the salton sea.
http://www.californiaconnected.org/tv/ar...
You gotta love Mexico!!
Near the end they show the septic trucks lining up and dumping directly into the new river, sending it right to us. With the $400 million dollar gift for border violence we just gave then, couldn't there have been a clause about not putting poop in the river.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_River_(Mexico_%E2%80%93_United_States)
Near the end they show the septic trucks lining up and dumping directly into the new river, sending it right to us. With the $400 million dollar gift for border violence we just gave then, couldn't there have been a clause about not putting poop in the river.
They're just paying us back for stealing all of the water from the Colorado river before it reaches Mexico.
2,500 sqft home went for $360k back in 2006. that's $144/sqft for middle of nowhere at the peak.
That's because Edwards AFB is right next door. With both Lancaster and Palmdale turning into gang-ville, the real Cal City isn't half bad. Maybe that old coot 50 years ago was on to something. lol
They're just paying us back for stealing all of the water from the Colorado river before it reaches Mexico.
That was the treaty that ended the war and traded land & water.
Besides, the underground aquifer plumb full and that's what mexico is using.
When I was living in LA a few years back I met one of the guys who produced it. After meeting, him I saw the film at the festival in Temecula. Now I'm a fan, but I don't think he's done any films since.
I think he is too busy selling dead fish to make any new movies - http://www.saltonseadoc.com/shop/catalog...