Ghost Town

Saltdale

Kern County, CA

Coordinate verified

Salt-harvesting company town founded in 1914 on the shore of Koehn Dry Lake in the northern Mojave, northeast of California City near Garlock. A narrow-gauge harvest railroad ran onto the moist playa; the post office operated 1916–1950. Drought, economics, and corrosive lake chemistry left concrete slabs, rail ties, and salt-eaten foundations—do not drive onto the soft playa.

Field facts

RegionKern County, CA
Coordinates35.3591, -117.8876
ARPAArtifacts & structures are protected by federal law (ARPA) — take only photos, leave every relic in place.
CountyKern
Founded1914
IndustrySalt harvest from Koehn Dry Lake
Post office1916–1950

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Plan ahead. Leave no trace. Verify current access before traveling.