Once a bustling pit stop in the middle of the California desert, Desert Center now stands quiet and crumbling. Abandoned buildings, sun-scorched signs, and empty streets tell the story of a town that ...

Founded in 1921 by “Desert Steve” Ragsdale, Desert Center flourished for decades along Highway 60 and 70. Now, with its café, market, motel, and school left in silence, only the post office remains to ...