Cross Roads - California
Known for its lawless and cutthroat residents, many crimes and murders were committed and never solved. There wasn’t too much to do except visit the local pool hall or saloon and life consisted of days that were hot and dry.
You’ve heard stories of the old Wild West and heard about the towns that popped up overnight? Most of these towns were suddenly born because of gold or copper mines. This town saw much of its growth with the building of Parker Dam. The second largest employer might have been the local copper mine. Imagine a town of 3,000 people who were mostly transients, building lien two’s or tents to live in. Sounds crazy, especially since it’s located in the middle of the desert! Cross Roads developed into a fairly respectable town with the influx of workers who began building Parker Dam. A bowling alley, several grocery stores, barber and beauty shop, the Cross Roads Mercantile Company, service stations, and used car lots are just a few examples of the industry in this rural desert town. Mrs. Mary Jane Schwanbeck opened the Mercantile Company in 1933. She also operated a post office inside of her store that was later renamed the Schwanbeck Store. Her mercantile store supplied the area with groceries, gasoline and rental cabins all the way until 1973.
Her store is the last standing structure of this abandoned town. It resembles a skeleton of the past, a reminder of what life would have been in the old days.
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Mary’s store was also her home; she stayed there and ran her business until she passed away almost 34 years later!
