

The area encompassing Twentynine Palms is the Morongo Basin and is classified as having an arid, upland desert climate. A common saying at that time was, “The government bets you 160 acres of desert that you can’t survive on it for three years.” Many did survive, and their descendants are now among the established families in the recently incorporated (1987) city of Twentynine Palms. Many of these people took 160-acre homesteads. They were followed by others seeking good health, especially asthma and tuberculosis sufferers. Veterans of World War I who had suffered lung damage from gas attacks came here to recuperate with the help of sunshine, low humidity and clean air. Mining continued to be a major activity in the High Desert until shortly after World War I. The Dale mines, located 15 miles southeast of the Combat Center, yielded more than $3 million in gold prior to the turn of the century. Many abandoned mines are located in the fire and maneuver areas of the Combat Center. The major mountain range, the Bullion Mountains, reflects the influence of those miners and prospectors in the naming of local terrain features and areas. Before the turn of the century, this area was well known by prospectors and miners. Henry Washington, who commanded a government survey party. The oasis of Twentynine Palms was discovered in 1885 by Col. The premier training facility is nestled in the quiet desert paradise of Twentynine Palms, and together, makes up one of the most unique living environments in the western United States. Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) is located in San Bernardino County in Southern California. The small military community has a moderate cost of living, clean air and acts as the Gateway to the California Outback. It’s residents include 12,500 active duty, 24,000 family members, 21,000 DoD/Contractors and 1,200 retirees. Twentynine Palms is large It covers more than 998 square miles of the high desert, which makes it larger than some small countries. It is know for having one of the most unique living environments in the western United States. Twentynine Palms or the The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) is a premier training facility.
