"Oasis Resort of the High Desert"
On Route 66 Halfway between Victorville and Barstow.
Golf, Tennis, Equestrian, Boating,
Fishing, Swimming
HELENDALE - The Name
Have you ever wondered how we got the name of Helendale? When did we become Helendale?
Well folks, sit down a spell and let me share the history of Helendale. Way back when,
around 1897, we were known as the "Point of Rocks" station which provided a rest
stop and "Waterin' Hole" for weary travelers traversing across the great Mojave.
1897 brought about a few special occasions in the community of "Point of
Rocks". One very special occasion was the birth of a daughter to the Wells family.
Mr. Wells was the Senior Vice President of Santa Fe Railroad. In recognition to Mr. Wells,
the local citizens decided to rename "Point of Rocks" - HELEN in special memory
of this occasion.
1918. some twenty one years later, the locals feeling that they might get confused with
Helena, Montana decided to change the name to HELENDALE. Additionally, they thought
it would be best if they changed the name of the Judson Post Office to HELENDALE POST
OFFICE. Isn't it amazing what starts the change and where it leads to in the end - or is
it the end? Who knows? It is now some seventy six years later and look at what we are
experiencing today.
Route 66
1926 - the beginning of "Old Route 66". It was designed to follow the
"Old National Trails", such as the Santa Fe, Grand Canyon and Needles National
Trails. The Helendale Victor Valley area became the major link between desert outposts and
the community of "Pueblo de Los Angeles" via such trails as the Mojave Trail,
Old Spanish Trail, Santa Fe Trail, The Mormon Trail and the Sanford Freight Road-all
linking up through the Cajon Pass.
September 25, 1993, a memorial commemorating "Old Route 66" was placed by the
Mojave Historical Society and the community of Helendale. The site of this memorial is
located approximately 100 yards South of the intersection of "National Trails
Highway" - "Old Route 66" and Vista Road on the Westerly side of the road
just North of the existing commercial center.
HELENDALE/SILVER LAKES
Hold on Folks, we're not through yet. There's more to this ole tale. As you turn off
"Ole Route 66" onto Vista Road and proceed into the resort community of Silver
Lakes, you'll notice a commercial building on the right which is currently being used as
the corporate offices of 
ERA Professional Realty, Inc., Professional Escrow and
Hilton Collier Construction. Next door to this building is a small commercial building,
which is the home of our delightful community barberess - 
Pat's Barber shop.
By the way, a little tidbit of local gossip, Pat's place is a changin'!!!! She's gonna
be providing' one of those "full service" personal care places !! I know, I know
- what's historical about this bit of news? Any hoo, the point I'm a gettin' to is that
these two buildings were the original home and garage of Merle and Sarah Orebaugh.
Well, let's continue with our journey. As we cross over the railroad tracks and
continue northerly on Vista Road, we come to Riverview Road next to the 
Riverview Middle School. We turn right and go down just a short piece and to our
left is this quaint church. This is the 
Helendale Community Church,
built in 1947 by Clyde Jordan, Arthur Crawford, the Abken family and the Orebaughs. In
temperatures soaring into the high 120's, these determined "God fearing"
pioneers built the "House of the Lord" to serve their local community. First
service was held in May 1948. Today, it is still providing services with our local Jim
Perkins as Pastor.
As we return to Vista Road and turn to the right and cross the bridge over the Mojave
River, we wonder about this so-called dry bed river, knowing that at certain times the 
Mojave River can be a tyrant out of control, such as the "Flood of 1938 and
1979". As we pull up to the stop sign at Helendale Road, we look to our left and see
a memorial which was placed there on September 26, 1992 by the Mojave Historical Society,
the Silver Lakes Association and the community of Helendale.
This historical marker commemorates the site of the earliest Mojave River Settlement.
Such notables as Father Garces (1776 ), Jedediah Smith (1826), Kit Catson (1840's), J.C.
Fremont(1844),traversed this area along with the Mormon Wagon Trains, caravans of mule
trains and Army Camels during the 1850's. Yes, l said "Camels". That's another
story at another time. (Smile, ed.)
For the History Buff
For you history buffs, be sure to attend the Annual Rendezvous held each September at
the Helendale Elementary School. Thanks to Jim Brown, former Principal at Helendale
Elementary School, and Jesse Malone, John Swisher, Larry Kolar, Bill Bender, Nate
Moiseoff, Marjorie Gordon, Tom and Lee Pickering, Merle and Sarah Orebaugh, Harry
Schooler, Fred Gibson, and as you can see we can go on and on. Needless to say, for those
of you who were not mentioned, it's not intentional and I personally thank each and
everyone who made the Rendezvous the success it is today.
Now for the Rest of the Story. As we cross Helendale Road and continue on Vista Road,
we pass our local community shopping Center, 
Silver Lakes Plaza and
enter the resort community of Silver Lakes.
The Silver Lakes Project - Justin Dart
November 1969, began the development of Justin Dart's dream project- Silver Lakes. with
the sale of 3,200 acres from the northerly portion of Older's Palisades Ranch to Dart
Industries Development Company. To make this possible required the relocation of Cardozo's
Dairy from the site which has now become the South Lake.
$28,000,000., Twenty eight million dollars later and five years of planning and
construction, Justin Dart's dream became a reality. Unfortunately, due to poor sales and a
decline in the real estate market and tough economic times for Dart Industries forced the
sale of the project to McCulloch Properties for a mere $4,500,000. To duplicate this
project today would cost nearer to $100,000,000. During March 1975, the Silver Lakes
project was HUD approved and sales continued and have progressed to approximately a 55%
build out today.
Approximately 1350 +/- Lots, remain in the development for build out. Of the original
3,200 acres. 1,700 acres were used to develop the project as we know it today. The process
for building a home is not that difficult. A deposit of $2,100. is required with the
Silver Lakes Association of which $2,000. is returned upon completion after the site is
cleaned up and the front landscaping is completed. Fully approved plans and building
permits are required from the San Bernardino County Building and Safety department, which
is located on Civic Drive in Victorville.
More Helendale History!
Helendale's Rendevous Keepsake vol One & Two
The Keepsake is published as a collection of historical and antectodal materials
relating to the region known as Helendale, California. It is published by the Helendale
Rendezvous Committee in an effort to preserve the history of the area.
ERA Professional Realty, Inc.,
Pat's Barber shop.
Riverview Middle School.
Helendale Community Church,
Mojave River
Silver Lakes Plaza