California City

an archive

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William Bond & Associates. Holiday Inn, California City. 1971. Photo by Robert Venturi. Venturi, Scott Brown & Associates Collection, Architectural Archives, University of Pennsylvania. 

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Venturi, Robert and Denise Scott Brown. Cowboy Scale Figure, California City. 1971. Venturi, Scott Brown & Associates Collection, Architectural Archives, University of Pennsylvania.

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Venturi, Robert and Denise Scott Brown. Downtown California City Master Plan. 1971. Venturi, Scott Brown & Associates Collection, Architectural Archives, University of Pennsylvania. 

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Sussman, Deborah. Signage Proposal, California City. 1970. Sussman / Prezja & Company, Los Angeles, CA.

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Smith, Whitney and Wayne Williams. Congregational Church sketch, California City. 1961. Architecture and Design Collection, University Art Museum, UCSB.

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Promotional Poster, MERBISC, California City, 1960s.

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Pray, Van and Alberta Pray. California City. 197?.

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Pray, Van and Alberta Pray. California City. 197?.

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Pray, Van and Alberta Pray. California City. 197?.

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Pray, Van and Alberta Pray. California City. 197?.

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Pray, Van and Alberta Pray. California City. 197?.

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Pray, Van and Alberta Pray. California City. 197?.

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The land project now called California City was begun by its founder, N.K. Mendelsohn, in 1958. During the first 12 years of its existence, the population has grown to only 1,224 persons and to date more than one-half of the land in California City has been sold. Kern County, the county in which California City is located, increased its population by 11.3 percent during the period from 1960 through 1970. The average rate of population growth for all counties in California during the same period was 25.4 percent.

Federal Trade Commission. Federal Trade Commission Decisions: Findings, Opinions, and Orders July 1, 1972, to December 31, 1972. Washington D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1973.

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In view of the original cost of unimproved land, aren't the lots in California City over-priced? On the contrary. The principle of land investment is to find property that is "alive"; that is in an area where growth is in process and where values are on the increase.

California City Development Company. Land Sales Manual. Hollywood, CA.: California City Development Company, 1961.

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“New towns require large investment of capital, not only for land acquisition, but for a long and patient period of careful planning and development. This means that substantial risks must be taken by private development groups, and such risks can be taken only if there is sufficient assurance to the developer that he will have available for his product the maximum freedom of market throughout the country. Any legislation which serves to limit the availability to new town developers of the potential market for their product can only serve to discourage the entry of new risk capital into this industry.”

“Statement by N.K. Mendelsohn, President, California City Development Company, Los Angeles.” United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Art: Hearings Before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Banking and Currency United States Senate Eighty-Ninth Congress Second Sessions on S. 2672. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1966.

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Stetson Engineers, Inc. California City Well Locations. 2008. 

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“Focal point for 88 acres of recreational facilities, this waterfall in California City’s Central Park is surrounded by a 20-acre lake. Pavilion at right incorporates 12th century Swedish architectural form accented elsewhere in the community.” California Interstate Telephone Company. Romantic Heritage of Upper Mojave Desert: A Saga of Pioneer Discoveries and Modern Achievements. Victorville, CA.: California Interstate Telephone Company, 1961.