For many years White Water (Whitewater) CA was mostly just known for a few things.....the Whitewater Trout Farm, Whitewater Rock, and the boys school off the Verbania Exit.  Progress is a strange thing; the Whitewater Trout Farm is gone, the Boy's school is gone, that old gas station has been deserted for years, and the street name Verbania has been changed. So much for local landmarks :)

Deserted Gas Station in White Water, Ca

 

People ask about about the gas station  right off the Haugen-Lehmann Exit of the I-10 freeway.

The location of this old gas station is perfect, and many people want to make a mini mart there.  We sure could use a Mini Mart for Bread, Milk, and some of the quick things residents need without driving 10-15 minutes to the nearest store in Cabazon. 

From my understanding this gas station is in litigation.  I have not verified this information, nor shall I, but you know how stories are with the old timers.  I've been told for years that it wasn't for sale, and everyone I know that has wanted to buy it has come up blank. One of my clients even told me that he suspected there might be leakage from the old tanks.  But again, I have not, nor will verify this.  It would be something to check though if anyone actually were to try to purchase that property.

 


Now, not only do you have the deserted gas station on one side of the street as you are coming into the community, but now the Boy's School on the other side of the road has closed down.  After years of this old Hotel being used as a Residential Treatment Center for boys, it closed down this past June.

This old Hotel has a lot of history (I'll tell it to you later), and we used the Dining Hall for our Neighborhood Watch Meetings.  Jeff, the Director of the Boys Home was a good neighbor, and he'll be missed.  We are also left with no community meeting place unless we want to go to the Cabazon Community Center down the road.

 

~Progress has it's benefits, but many times it leaves a void~

 

11 Comments on White Water, CA: What's that Big Gray Building and who owns the Gas Station

AUG
02
2008
366,307 Points 23 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Hmmm that looks like one heck of a 'localism' spree that you're on.........:-)

6:02pm • #1
600,653 Points 111 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Wow...that was a lonely story. Hope something comes out of these abandoned places.

7:19pm • #2
260,301 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I am sure something will be built.....the whole area is going to be transformed.  If we can keep the basic flavor of the area, but have some progress it would be great :)

8:12pm • #3
589,416 Points 63 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Kathy, things keep changing don't they? And you hate to see abandoned structures. In parts of West Texas around Midland, much looked like this for so long after an oil bust.

9:30pm • #4
260,301 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Gary- Yes there are many of these structures out here in some of the Desert areas.  I do hate to see them abandoned, but actually when I look at them I try to visualize what they will be :)

9:34pm • #5
132,977 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router

It's rather fun to do as you say Kathy - visualize what could be there, what will probably be there in the future.

That is one positive I have about "not being from here" - I don't have a point of reference of how some of these buildings used to be. I can focus on the *will be* a lot easier than some.

10:47pm • #6
260,301 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Debbie- You are so right....when you're from an area you have a harder time, on average, of visualizing what could be.  People see with their "yesterday eyes" most of the time  :) :)

11:29pm • #7
AUG
03
2008
132,977 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router

Kathy - I may have to borrow that: "Yesterday Eyes" love it! It really sums up a lot of the emotion people feel about buildings, businesses and homes.

12:29am • #8
260,301 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Debbie- :) :)  Have a good evening, and feel free to use it if you want :)

12:39am • #9
AUG
05
2008

Wow, I didn't realize they were shuting down the boy's home. Sad to see it go.  It helped a lot of kids through the years.

5:21pm • #10
260,301 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Mark- Remember when it was Saint Johns?  Well, it's been Trinity for years now, and they finally got signs and everything :)  I am curious what they will put there now...maybe another boys home :)

11:04pm • #11

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Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate

White Water, CA

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CELLing Realty

Office Phone: (760) 273-9466

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