My sisters and I grew up in the Drawing Room, literally.  I am the oldest of Rita's grandchildren and Rosemary's daughters.  Seeing this your page with it's wonderful tribute to my Grandma and Uncle Sherm brought tears to my eyes.  Tears of so many happy memories in my life.  Grandma is so dearly missed.  Thanks for sharing.

There is a mistake on the picture of the old A&W on China Lake Blvd.  That run down dump of a building is where Communications Enterprises of Bakersfield resides....  We had our office for 11 years in Leora Fox's Alvord Street building, 1993-2004, just off of West Ridgecrest Blvd, across (West) from what is now Ed's Mini-mart....  (The old Circle-K).  I would REALY appreciate a correction on that picture, as this is embarrasing to us....  We are now operating from a new 3,000 SqFt workshop on the 5 Acres that is our home out on Jacks Ranch Road.

My grandfather, Albert E. Brown came to China Lake in the late 40's when he came to work for Michelson Labs. My mother Donna Brown graduated from BHS sometime around 1951. She married my father William W. Allen in 1952 when he was stationed at the base. They were married in the chapel on the base. We lived on the base in units they called the "pre-fabs" and I also recall them talking about Hawthorns, Normacks and duplexes. I was too young to remember other than from photos and stories. My grandfather and grandmother lived on base in one of the duplexes. My grandparents lived at 405B Monterey and 408A Fowler. My uncle was George Myers who also lived on the base and worked for Mic Labs. My parents divorced in 1960 and my mother re-married another sailor from the base, Eugene D. Gregory and we moved off base to 401 Fairview St. My grandparents also moved off base about that time and bought a house at 412 Alvord St. I attended Grove Elementary School and Los Flores Elementary. I remember my kindergarten teacher Mrs Cottoner (sp?) and my first grade teacher Ms. Choke (sp?). My best friend was my next door neighbor, Cary (sp?) but I do not recall his last name. As I recall his father was a doctor in town. They lived at 403 Fairview. We later moved out of town going south in a house that was on the opposite side of the highway from and just before you get to Trader May's (I think). I have a lot of fond memories of the desert growing up. Time spent at Brewer pool, chasing lizards, getting rootbeer floats from the Yucca (A&W), going to the Trona Pool, trips up to 9 mile canyon, to the petroglyphs (sp?) out on the test range, paying a dime to get into the theater on the base and i could go on and on. My grandfather was also instrumental in starting the Emmanuel Baptist Church and served as one of the earliest pastors. This web site has been a real find for me and I have greatly enjoyed reading through the pages. This will keep me busy for sometime to come.

Some of the best years of my life I spent in Ridgecrest and the surrounding areas.

Lived in Ridgecrest for two years  1989-1991.  Had a wonderful time there and would go back if we could.  Hoping to visit in the next couple of years and revisit all our old haunts.