About the Antelope Valley

Located in the southwest portion of the Mojave Desert, approximately 65 miles northeast of Los Angeles, the Antelope Valley is currently home to thousands of people residing in the cities of Palmdale, Lancaster, Rosamond, Acton, Littlerock, Lake Hughes, Lake Elizabeth and neighboring communities. In the heart of the Valley lies one of California's most beautiful poppy reserves, which blooms with spectacular color each spring.

Until 1885, the Antelope Valley was a Native American hunting ground teeming with wild antelope. It is believed that there were no permanent communities in the Antelope Valley at that time; instead, it served as an Indian trade route from Arizona and New Mexico to the California coast. Many tribes are thought to have passed through the Antelope Valley at one time or another, including the Kitanemuk, Yokuts, Chumash, and Shoshone.

Until the early 1870s, the Antelope Valley was considered "not suitable for human habitation" (this is still questionable in the mid-summer months!). But during the 1870s, homesteads began to spring up wherever water was found. In September 1876, the Southern Pacific Railroad completed its line from Los Angeles to San Francisco via the Antelope Valley, bringing new settlers to the area and ending the isolation that had previously prohibited growth.

Taking its name from this region, the Antelope Valley Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was organized on February 19, 1956, with Mrs. Verne R. Smith as Organizing Regent. In its 53-year existence, the Antelope Valley Chapter has been involved in numerous community, civic and National Society events, has supported an active Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.) chapter, and has received numerous awards.  Each year, the chapter presents awards for DAR Good Citizens, the American History Essay Contest, Community Service Awards, ROTC Merit Awards, and a DAR Scholarship.  More information about our chapter can be found here.

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Copyright © 2008 Photos and Graphics by the Antelope Valley Chapter DAR.

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Site last updated 18 November 2009.

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