The Rise and Fall Of Desert Center | “Desert Steve” Ragsdale | California Ghost Town

I grew up in Desert Center. My first job was at the grocery store working for Stanley Ragsdale. He was pretty eccentric. There was an episode of “”Air Wolf” filmed at DC while I worked there. Pretty exciting for a young kid. Sad to see how the town has deteriorated. Thanks for the memories.

I enjoyed your video and look forward to more. I am an elderly arm chair traveler with a restless desire to hop in the car and head out on a whim. Since this is no longer possible, I rely on video travls. . Your videos take me to interesting places and give the background of locations. Good job. Thank you.

I had the pleasure of knowing Stanley. My family and friends friends have fond memories of the restaurant and collection of desert memorabilia. Stanley and his desert center will be missed

Great video, thank you. It reminds of my earlier years when I used pass through Desert Center on my way to Parker, Arizona . My family and I made this trek almost weekly, going to the "river" to escape the "rat race" in Los Angeles. We used to stop at Desert Center to rest, and purchase drinks for my family. I remember the palms trees when they were delivered. I never knew the story about Mr. Ragsdale, thank you for letting us know that behind the small town there was a courageous, hardy and adventurous man! It saddens me to hear the place is gone.

So I lived in Eagle Mountain from 1970 to 1976. I worked at the Texaco gas station for Stanley Ragsdale and went to school with his grandson. For a teenager it was a strange experience. I also visited the cabin on Santa Rosa mtn that the talk about back in 1978. Our class consists of 33 students and even though this was so many years gone by, I still have fond memories of events in this very close nit society but truth be known I never looked back and really didn’t keep up with the crowds. It was a moment in time and a memory that I share for life.

Lifelong Californian here. 55 years old. I've explored every inch of desert in the amazing southwest. It will never cease to amaze me the amount natural beauty the desert produces. It will never cease to amaze me the amount of trash strewn across the desert, under every bush or tree, the trash-covered on and off ramps of any freeway. And along each side (both sides) of all roads and freeways. I mean it literally is non-stop. No two, so different, contrast exist in nature, in a place so desolate, side by side....just blowing in the wind. To exist inter-twined forever.

Awesome video. As a California Native, I am sad to say until now, I have never heard of this old town. Love the Cafe tagline... "We lost our keys, we can't close!" That's just brilliant. Thanks again, love your videos. 💫💫

I lived there for many years. My mom worked at the cafe for around 10 years. Keith Matthews

Driving back and forth between Phoenix and OC for decades I stopped there many times to buy gas and wondered why anybody wanted to live there. Then when the gas station went away I started calling it 'Deserted Center'. Thanks for the history lesson.

I grew up in south phoenix and was part raised by a man I admired as a real pioneer his name was d c claxton from desert center california

In 1980 returning home in az my water pump blew directly at offramp. I drove over medium and made it to gas station where I slept till morning. Got a ride to Blith for a new water pump and a ride back where the attendant helped with tools and installing new water pump. So I guess you could say Desert Center was an oasis for me.

I used to live in Cali and was an avid desert explorer. Desert Center was one of my faves. And I loved driving out to Eagle Mountain. Thank you for keeping it all alive for me.

I so wish we could restore every ghost town. Keepem alive

Your video brings back childhood memories. I grew up in Blythe. My dad was a trucker and when I got to ride with him we always stoped for coffee and pie in Desert Center. That was long before I-10 came along

I clicked on this video, because of the XPO truck on the thumbnail. I drove truck for them and retired after 32 years with the company. The information on the video was cool also. I subscribed.😎🍻

I’ve lived in SoCal my entire life, and my last name is also Ragsdale. (Not related to “Desert Steve” as far as I know). I’ve been through Desert Center more times than I could count, usually on the way to the river, or to go hunt dove or whatever, and I’d always notice “Ragsdale Road” is the frontage road that runs parallel to the Interstate. Occasionally people would mention that there were a “bunch of Ragsdales” living there, and ask if I was related. Now, thanks to your excellent video, I know the whole story of the place. Great job, thanks for making it!

This sure brings back memories. Desert Center is where I stoped to view Haleys Comet the last time it went by. Stopped there many many times working for Roadway Express, back and forth from Phoenix to LA...

I love this place. So rich in local recent history. This man had a vision. It's up to us to see it through. God bless this little community that it may one day thrive.

In my younger days I used to do a lot of running in that part of Desert California. I absolutely fell in love with that area, so I always have a special place in my heart even though I am no longer run in there. Thank you so much for this video.

Excellent photography,excellent composition! My father oiled a rock crusher, building the Metropolitan Aqueduct during the Great Depression. Told me it was outside of Desert Center.