Yucca Valley – Snapping The Globe

Some of the best times are to be had at of the most prominent attractions in certain cities.

Would you ever visit Paris without visiting the Eiffel Tower?

But sometimes, it’s the lesser-known attractions that beckon me. Yes, I would never miss the Eiffel Tower, but you’ll also find me at the Sewer Museum…did you even know there was one in Paris?

After a day of driving around Joshua Tree National Park, I was searching for something else to occupy my time. There were many attractions to experience in the Palm Springs area, but I had learned of a quirky attraction out in the desert.

The Desert Christ Park.

From Palm Springs, it is a short drive along Highway 62 to Yucca Valley, the town named after the yucca palm or as many know it, the Joshua Tree. Not far from the main road, I found the park’s entrance next to the Living Hope Church.

While most people (like myself), imagine that the park is affiliated with the church next door, I learned very quickly that it is not.

After parking my car, I discovered a park volunteer sitting at a picnic table painting bricks with names. Friendly and welcoming, she directed me to the kiosk to learn a bit about the park’s history, however, quite the talkative individual, she gave me a brief overview.

Desert Christ Park was established in 1951 with the collaboration of Reverend Eddie Garver and sculptor, Antone Martin. Martin, an engineer from Inglewood, California, decided to create statues of Christ out of steel-reinforced concrete. After designing a 10-foot, five ton “resurrected Christ” he planned to install it on the rim of the Grand Canyon as a symbol of peace to all mankind…the government decided otherwise. Searching for an alternate location, he was offered a place on Reverend Garver’s five acres on the southern facing slope of the valley. Since the Reverend’s vision was to create a Christian-themed park, this was the first step in achieving that dream.

The “unwanted” Resurrected Christ was brought to its current location one week before Easter in 1951 and the Desert Christ Park was dedicated on Easter Sunday. More snow-white sculptures, portraying scenes of Christ’s life and teachings, followed during the next ten years, including a three-story, 125-ton facade depicting the Last Supper. While the first three statues (the “unwanted” Christ, the Tomb and the Last Supper) were placed in the area behind what is now the Living Hope Church, the remaining statues were relocated next door to the present day park.

After finishing my conversation with the nice volunteer, I made my way through the park, enjoying each of the setting’s statues. The pearl-colored effigies against the bright azure sky and yellow desert sand were a stark contrast, yet, as I stood amongst them, I realized how quiet and peaceful the entire environment was. Only the sound of birds in the trees, their branches brimming with small, hanging birdhouses, filled the air, until the crunch of sand beneath my feet sounded as I walked between the scenarios.

**The Last Supper**
Matthew 26:17-30
*When the evening came of Christ’s last supper, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”*

**Garden Of Gethsemane**
*In the “Garden of Gethsemane,” on the hillside, Jesus kneels in prayer before his crucifixion, while his disciples Peter, James, and John slept.*

**Samaritan Woman At The Well**
John 4:4-26
Jesus reveals himself to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well.

**Sermon On The Mount**
Matthew 5:1-16
*This is the most famous sermon Jesus gave including his teachings.*

**Blessing Of The Children**
Mark 10:13-16
*Jesus took the children in his arms, put his hand upon them and blessed them.*

**Let The Children Come To Me**
Mark 10:13-16
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

**Jesus Visits With Mary And Martha**
Luke 10:38-42
Jesus visited; Mary listened to Jesus while Martha prepared food. Martha complained about doing so much while Mary was not and Jesus said to her that learning his teachings was more important and wouldn’t be forgotten.

**Christ’s Blessing Of Mankind**
*With upraised hands, Christ is blessing all the people.*

Finally, I made my way behind the church. As I gazed upward toward the acclaimed “unwanted Christ” sitting high on the hill, I decided that I was going to take a closer look. Noting the semblances of trails leading up to the statue, I resolved to find the best one amid the loose gravel and scrub. With a little perseverance, I finally stood at Christ’s base, contemplating his outstretched hands, while he admired the beauty of his creation in the valley below!

**Christ’s Ascension**
Luke 24: 50-53
*Jesus lifted up his hands and blessed the Disciples, then began rising into the sky, and went into heaven.*

At the base of the hill, I observed the “Tomb” which is a depiction of the resurrection of Christ. Three statues stand outside the Jesus’ vacated tomb and an armless Mary Magdalene stands in disbelief inside the vault.

**Tomb Of Christ**
Mark 16:1-7
*When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome brought spices so that they might go anoint Jesus’ body. An Angel Proclaimed “He is risen.”*

Nearby, the Rock Chapel, designed by Frank Garske in 1954, captured my attention. In the shape of a star, the chapel is constructed of large, native stones. A sign on the door refers visitors desiring to use the chapel, to contact officials at the Desert Christ Park or the Living Hope Church for admission. Because of unauthorized use and disrespect, the doors remain locked, even during the park’s opening hours, however, I was able to slide my phone through the crack between the doors and snap a photo of its modest interior.

The park is operated through donations, grants and the work of volunteers. As I walked through the garden, I discovered what the bricks being painted by the volunteer, that I had encountered at the beginning of my visit, were used for. Used to line some of the walkways, the bricks highlight the names of those who patronize the facility. Overall, the park’s grounds are kept up, but the statues are showing some signs of wear, due to being exposed to the elements and the earthquake of 1992. Regardless, Desert Christ Park attracts thousands each year for personal walks, weddings, picnics, photography or to simply experience its peace.

Peace…that was Antone Martin’s sole desire when he sculpted that first statue.

The Unwanted Christ.

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Desert Christ Park

https://www.desertchristpark.org/
Address: 56200 Sunnyslope Drive, Yucca Valley, California 92284
Hours: Sunrise to sunset, approximately 0700-1800, daily
Admission: free, donations accepted

Saturday afternoons were for westerns.

Bonanza (1959 to 1973), Gunsmoke (1955-1975) and Rawhide (1959-1966), were some of my favorites. They were preceded by countless of other popular movies and series, set during a time where cowboys, Indians, outlaws and sheriffs ruled the land.

When Hollywood began searching for a “living, breathing movie set”, 32,000 acres in the California desert near Palm Springs was deemed the perfect location. Investors, including Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Dick Curtis and Bud Abbott, incorporated the land which became known as Pioneertown.

The town, easily accessible from Los Angeles, served as a filming location, vacation destination and residence for those working in the entertainment industry. The structures built on Mane Street were fully functional and included a grocery store, saloon, restaurant, motel, beauty shop, bowling center and shooting gallery. More than fifty films and serials were filmed in Pioneertown during the 1940s and 1950s, including the popular Gene Autry Show, the Cisco Kid television series (1950-1956), Annie Oakley television series (1954-1957) and The Adventures of Judge Roy Bean (1955-1956) and it wasn’t uncommon for two separate movies to be shooting on opposite sides of the street.

Being such a short distance from Palm Springs, I decided to make the drive to see what Pioneertown was all about in a day and age when westerns are no longer all the rage. Though I anticipated some authentic-looking buildings, much like the few I had encountered while in the small towns of South Dakota, I was really surprised by the number of buildings which comprised the town and its credibility.

As I arrived a bit early in the morning, I discovered that I was one of only three people wandering the dusty main street, Mane Street. Beginning in the Film Museum and Trading Post, I marveled at the collection of memorabilia on display and watched the film which narrated the story of this historic town.

Walking west on the north side of the street, I photographed and inspected each of the buildings and businesses that occupied their spaces…the General Mercantile and its souvenirs, the Pottery and its artwork and the Chapel, which to my dismay, was locked. There were weathered wagons, rusty mine cars and remnants of old machinery littering the street as well as a few artful pieces.

To say that the residents of Pioneertown have a bit of humor is an understatement. Barrel cactuses wearing sunglasses and quirky signage was prominent, but they really fooled me near the Mercantile. My curiosity got the best of me as I saw a barrel, covered with mesh wire and topped with the sign, “Warning! Baby Rattlers”. I half-expected to see small snakes slithering around the bottom, but that seemed like such a hazard…instead, the bottom was lined with baby rattles…yes, the kind baby’s like to shake!!!

As I approached the Bath House and Hotel, I stepped onto the boardwalk, I and passed the Bank and the Livery. Many buildings were inaccessible as they were now private residences. At the end of Mane Street, I stopped to inspect the town’s Ok Corral, the Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Post Office, said to be the most photographed branch in the United States.

*Pioneertown Post Office and Sheriff’s Office*

I made my way back up the south side of the street, I noticed that more visitors were making their way amongst the buildings. Although still eerily quiet, it must have been quite the site during its prime to see horses hitched to their posts and gunslingers ready for duel…of course with cameras recording!

Approaching the Hay and Feed Store (53585 Mane Street), I learned that this was the location of the current sound stage. Today, though not in the capacity as it was started, the town still functions as a production set where movies, independent films, music videos and commercials are filmed quite regularly. Some of the more familiar titles you might recognize are Ice Cube’s I Rep That West Music video (2010), Kenny Roger’s The Gambler (2014), Cyndi Lauper’s Funnel of Love music video (2016) and Ingrid Goes West (2017), which I had actually seen!

Finally, I completed my walk and headed to the Pappy + Harriet’s Grill for a bite to eat. Sadly, I was visiting on a day in which it was closed, but there was still a few more things to see. The Wild West and Stunt Show arena was closed but I was able to peek through the fence to see its primitive hay bale seats and old west architectural set. A little further, I spotted the Pioneertown Motel…the perfect spot to spend to live out my cowgirl fantasy…horseback riding by day, marshmallows by the campfire and a short stumble home from the Red Dog Saloon!

Though the original intent of Pioneertown is much different than what it has evolved into, it is now a destination where regular folk can live out their cowboy fantasies in the Wild, Wild West…whether for the day, the night, or as the residents do…for a lifetime!

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Pioneertown

https://visitpioneertown.com/
Address: 53626 Mane St, Pioneertown, California, USA 92268
Hours: 24 hours, daily
Admission: free
Getting There: From downtown Palm Springs. Head north on Indian Canyon Drive past Interstate 10. Turn right onto CA-62 E and continue for 13 miles. Turn right onto Pioneertown Road and drive for 4.4 miles. Pioneertown will be on the right with parking behind Pappy + Harriet’s Grill.

Tag: Yucca Valley

The Unwanted Christ

The Wild, Wild West