My copy of the Slate just arrived in the mail today. It had a great article in it written by George Sherman. The name of the article is, “The birth of Rock and Roll in Trona.” It is a great article and is well worth reading. If you are not familiar with the Searles Valley Slate, it is because that you are not a member of the Searles Valley Historical Society. The Searles Valley Slate is the society’s quarterly newsletter to members.
Since George is about five years older than me it is obvious that George would know more about Rock ‘n Roll than I would. I thought it began when people started listening to and dancing to Elvis records on the patio by the high school snack shack and continued after sunset when everyone was tuning in The Mighty 690 – XEAK on their car radios.
If you are from Trona or just interested in the history of Trona I recommend you become a member of the Searles Valley Historical Society and support their activities. A lifetime membership is $250 or, if you prefer, $20 a year. You can get more information about membership and their activities from their website.
I just got my copy of the latest, June 2024, Searles Valley Slate. And I’ve finished reading the feature article about Westend. Since I know several of you are from Westend I thought I would encourage you to see if you could get a copy somehow. Cathy Hesman has included in this edition an article written by Dorothy Ousley for the Westend Reporter in 1985, part of a letter written by Mike Mills about Westend and a paragraph written by Pete Canning that mentions the limestone quarry.
Another article that caught my attention was about the Searles Lake Rifle Club.
For information about obtaining a copy of this edition or becoming an SVHS member go to http://www1.iwvisp.com/svhs/ for information.
This is Lorry Wagner. I just discovered “The Searles Valley Slate” and would like to know how I can purchase a membership or a yearly copy or whatever is available.
I graduated from Trona High School in June of 1956, now live in Ridgecrest and am shocked that I never heard anything about the “Slate” or “Searles Valley Historical Society.”
Thank you. Lorry (Mont-Eton) Wagner
I forwardws you inquiry to the SVHS. http://www1.iwvisp.com/svhs/