Where is zzyzx

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Quick Answer: Zzyzx is located in the Mojave Desert of California, specifically at the base of Baker Butte, approximately 10 miles north of Baker along Interstate 15. It was established in 1944 by Curtis Howe Springer as a health spa and radio station, though it was later evicted by the federal government in 1970.

Key Facts

Zzyzx is situated at the base of Baker Butte in San Bernardino County, California
The site was founded in 1944 by self-proclaimed doctor Curtis Howe Springer
Springer built a 43-room health resort and radio station on 11,000 acres of federal land
In 1970, the U.S. government evicted Springer for illegal use of public land
Today, the site is home to the Zzyzx Desert Studies Center operated by the California State University system

Overview

Zzyzx is a remote desert location in the Mojave Desert of Southern California, positioned just off Interstate 15 about 10 miles north of the town of Baker. Though it appears as a minor roadside curiosity today, Zzyzx has a rich and unusual history tied to health fads, radio evangelism, and federal land disputes.

The name 'Zzyzx' was coined by Curtis Howe Springer, a radio evangelist and self-styled doctor who established a health spa on the site in 1944. He claimed the spring water had healing properties, though the area was actually part of federally protected land managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Location: Zzyzx is located at 35.0694° N, 115.0858° W, nestled at the base of Baker Butte in the Mojave National Preserve.
Founding date: Curtis Howe Springer arrived at the site in 1944 and began constructing his health resort without federal permission.
Facility size: Springer built a 43-room complex complete with a radio station, mineral baths, and lodging for visitors seeking cures.
Land violation: The property sits on 11,000 acres of public land, which Springer occupied illegally under the guise of health and religious activity.
Current use: Since 1976, the site has operated as the Zzyzx Desert Studies Center, managed by California State University for ecological research.

How It Works

While Zzyzx no longer functions as a health spa, its transformation into an academic research facility illustrates how abandoned or controversial sites can be repurposed for public benefit. The center now supports scientific study of desert ecosystems, climate adaptation, and conservation biology.

Desert Studies Center: Operated by California State University, the facility hosts students and researchers year-round for field biology and environmental science programs.
Water source: The spring at Zzyzx is natural but not potable, and its mineral content was once falsely promoted as curative by Springer.
Radio legacy: Springer's KGBS radio station broadcasted health claims and religious messages from the site until federal authorities shut it down in 1970.
Eviction: The U.S. government forcibly removed Springer in July 1970 after a lengthy legal battle over unauthorized land use.
Name origin: 'Zzyzx' was invented by Springer to be the last word in the English language, symbolizing an endpoint or finale.
Access: The site is accessible via a 3.5-mile unpaved road from Interstate 15, marked by a distinctive sign erected by the Bureau of Land Management.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of Zzyzx’s historical and current status across key categories:

Category	1944–1970 (Springer Era)	1976–Present (Academic Era)
Primary Use	Health spa and radio ministry	Desert ecology research center
Operator	Curtis Howe Springer (private)	California State University system
Land Status	Illegally occupied federal land	Officially permitted research site
Public Access	By donation for treatments	Limited to researchers and school groups
Infrastructure	43-room lodge, radio tower, baths	Restored buildings, labs, dormitories

The transformation of Zzyzx from a fraudulent health retreat to a legitimate scientific outpost highlights how federal oversight and academic stewardship can reclaim and rehabilitate misused public lands. Today, it serves as both an educational site and a cautionary tale about land exploitation.

Why It Matters

Zzyzx stands as a symbol of both American eccentricity and the importance of protecting public lands from unauthorized use. Its history reflects broader themes in 20th-century U.S. culture, including the rise of radio evangelism, pseudoscientific health claims, and the federal government’s role in land management.

Cultural legacy: Zzyzx remains a popular stop for road trippers and historians interested in California’s quirky roadside attractions.
Environmental education: Over 4,000 students visit the Desert Studies Center annually for hands-on desert ecology programs.
Legal precedent: The eviction of Springer set a precedent for federal enforcement on public land misuse.
Scientific contribution: Ongoing research at Zzyzx has produced over 30 peer-reviewed studies on desert species adaptation.
Historical preservation: The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017 as a culturally significant location.
Public awareness: Interpretive signs and guided tours help educate visitors about land rights and conservation ethics.

Though Zzyzx began as a hoax, it has evolved into a valuable resource for science and history, proving that even the most outlandish chapters of American history can lead to meaningful public benefit.