top of page
    • Oct 4, 2023
    • 3 min read

Lucerne Valley

updated 10/6/23

Prayer podcasts: for the city | for the officials


Lucerne Valley is a census-designated place (CDP) and valley landform in the southern Mojave Desert. It is located 35 miles south of Barstow, 45 miles northwest of Yucca Valley on State Highway 247, 15 miles southeast of Apple Valley and approximately 20 miles north of Big Bear Lake on Highway 18. The intersection of Highways (State Routes) 18 and 247 is a central point for the community, and adjacent to the downtown commercial center.


DEMOGRAPHICS: Est. population [2023] 5,998. median age 40; 52%M; 48%F; $32K median income; almost 3 average per household; 47% married; 33% never married; 15% divorced; 6% widowed; average house $161K; 83% high school grad or higher; 66% white; 21% Hispanic; African American & Asian 2%; American Indian 1.5%; other 8%; 64% own; 36% rent



Piute, Chemehuevi and Serrano Indians were the original natives. In 1867, there was a battle at Chimney Rock (north edge of Rabbit Dry Lake) that caused the Indians to retreat leaving the area to pioneers. There is a historical marker on the highway at the east end of Rabbit Dry Lake. This is home of the Chimney Rock Massacre that culminated in 1867.


In 1873, five men found Rabbit Springs and claimed it and the land. In 1884 Peter Davidson operated a Way Station that travelers could use to get water, news, or rest. "Uncle Pete" died in 1906. In 1886, W.W. Brown brought his family and stayed at "Uncle Pete's" until they could secure some land called Box S. In 1896 Al Swarthout acquired the Box S land intending to raise cattle but it lacked water. Swarthout and a friend found a place about 15 miles to the east, which had even more water and lots of forage. After one year he gave up the Box S and moved to Old Woman Springs Ranch. (There is a saying that the Indians used to leave their old people camped there while the young ones went into the mountains after pinion nuts.)


In 1897 Goulding arrived with his family and proved the soil was fertile, planting an apple orchard, vegetable garden and alfalfa fields. He raised cows, horses and other animals. He dug a well which proved to be artesian. In 1905 he named the area Lucerne Valley because of his success in growing alfalfa which is also known as lucerne. He is considered the founder. In 1907 Goulding legally established Lucerne Valley School District. He also donated land for a new school where the Baptist church is now located.


Lucerne Valley Post Office was established in 1912 and is now in its permanent location on Highland Ave. south of Highway 18. A Volunteer Fire Department was organized during WW2, along with Fire Watchers, Sky Watchers, Plane Watchers, and Civil Defense.


In 1949 more houses and commercial buildings erected. Athene Sieswerda planted pistachio trees.


“Home of the Chimney Rock Massacre in 1867."



Location of Lucerne Valley in SBC



Specific Prayer Points

Churches [not exhaustive]


29 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page