Since Alex Haley's best seller "Roots", Americans have been wanting to know
more about our own roots and locally, on Saturday, September 26, we will have the
opportunity to learn more about the early dwellers in our own Mojave River areas.
Helendale and Oro Grande have much more history than is generally known. And what better
way to learn than to come out and have a great day at the annual Helendale Rendezvous?!
Knowing nothing about the history here, I attended a meeting of the Rendezvous Planning
Committee and met with Jim Brown, Jesse Malone, Jeff Sievers, Tony Soza, Paul Contreras,
Henry Jay and Bill Bender where I got my smattering of education on the Rendezvous. It
started in 1990 and is sponsored by the Helendale School District and is held annually on
the last weekend in September.
The Rendezvous begins at noon with a Hot Dog Lunch at the Elementary School (Hot Dogs,
Chips and Soft Drink available for $2.00). After lunch there is a bus tour (seats
available on a first come basis) and auto convoy to some of our local Historical Spots
such as the Larson Ranch, the original Hodge School (attended by Henry Jay in his
boyhood), the Point of Rocks and Old Route 66.
At 3:00 p.m. near Silver Lakes Market there will be a dedication of a Historical
Monument with 87 year old Lena Abbey present. Her grandfather built the log cabin in 1879
which stood near the corner of Helendale and Vista roads. The Rendezvous will adjourn to
the Olders' Palisades Ranch where there will be fun for the whole family. Activities
planned are a watermelon seed spitting contest, slingshot contest, volleyball and other
games for the younger generation and pony rides for the children. There will be a hayride,
an Indian Village with demonstrations of Indian cooking down in the river area and a tour
of an old line shack which was once a Pony Express stop.
The Desperados from Orange County will keep us all on our toes- never knowing what to
expect from a Desperado on the rampage is part of the fun of the Old West! An appearance
will be made by the Oro Grande Vaqueros and Mr. Dennis Emmanuel (in Civil War Dress) will
give talks about the cavalry of the 1870s and show clothes and riflery of that era. Mr.
Emmanuel is also an authority on early day use of camels in the American desert. Members
of the Silver Lakes Equestrian Club (SLEC) will be present with their horses.
Also planned to make appearances will be Square Dancers, the Ballet Folklorico dancers,
a Country Western Band and folksingers Jim and Carol Thomas. The Route 66 Society will be
present to let us know how National Trails became Route 66 and was paved in 1926.
Bill Bender, noted Western cowboy artist and historian from Helendale, will be present
along with John Swisher of the Historical Society, Mirl and Sara Orebaugh as well as many
other early residents of our area.
After all this fun and learning, a Chuck Wagon Dinner of BBQ Beef. Beans, Cole Slaw,
Applesauce and Bread ($5.75 adults, $3.75 children) will be served. Tickets will be
available at the Rendezvous.
As the sun sets there will be story telling, singing around the campfire and a great
day will come to an end.
By the way, did you know the Mojave River is the only river in the United States that
flows north? I didn't, so come on out and see what other interesting facts you can find.
