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Rosamond
Topics: Rosamond, Antelope Valley, Wanda Kirk Branch library, Copa de Oro, Feline Conservation Center, Willow Springs Raceway
Posted by admin Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments Location: Rosamond, CA

At its inception in the late 1800s, Rosamond was a bustling mining and cattle town. Today, the small, yet growing high desert community is home to many commuters traveling to nearby Los Angeles County, as well as employees of Edwards Air Force Base (originally Muroc Bombing and Gunnery Range in the town's early years).

Situated along the fringes of the Antelope Valley, Rosamond officially belongs to Kern County. But because of its close proximity to Los Angeles County, some residents feel more attached to L.A. happenings.

Pamela Eldana, branch supervisor for the Wanda Kirk Branch library in Rosamond, says she regularly crosses the county line to shop and conduct other business in Los Angeles County.

"I watch Los Angeles news programs on television, and pick up radio stations from Lancaster or Palmdale," says Eldana. "I feel more connected to Los Angeles County than Kern County, but I wouldn¹t want to pay their higher tax rate."

New residents continue to purchase homes in Rosamond, avoiding higher-priced properties in Los Angeles and other nearby bedroom communities like Newhall or Palmdale. At least one new resident commutes as far away as Long Beach, Eldana says.

To attract even more newcomers, Rosamond gained approval in 2004 from the Kern County Board of Supervisors to build Copa de Oro, a community that will add about 1,200 new housing units and an 18-hole golf course to the southwest portion of town.

One unique Rosamond neighborhood, known as Rosamond Skypark, includes access to a runway, with each house sporting its own airplane hangar in the backyard.

Another new addition that's still in the planning stages is a wind farm, similar to the windmills in Tehachapi. When completed, these windmills will produce energy for the Antelope Valley.

Geographical information
Size: 52.2 square miles
Climate: average summer high: 106, low: 53; average winter high: 77, low:
17. Annual rainfall: 3.84 inches

Economic demographics
Population: 14,754
Average household income: $48,000
Average housing cost: $268,696

Business
Major industries: Edwards Air Force Base, 1 S. Rosamond Blvd., Rosamond, 277-1110, www.edwards.af.mil Chamber of Commerce: Antelope Valley Chambers of Commerce, Rosamond office,
2861 Diamond St., 256-3248, fax 256-3249. Open 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday, www.avchambers.com, Lancaster office 948-4518.

History
Year founded: 1877

Clubs and organizations

• Rotary Club of Rosamond: Meets at Shanghai Restaurant, 2997 Desert St., Rosamond, President Ruben Gonzalez, 713-9718
• Girl Scouts Joshua Tree Council: 2330 Mall Loop Road #119, Lancaster, 723-1230
  
• Boy Scouts of America: Southern Sierra Council, 2417 M St., Bakersfield, 325-9036
  
• Western Los Angeles County Council, Antelope Valley District, 42402 10th St. West, Suite F-G, Lancaster, 942-0582
  

Government

• Town Hall: Hummel Hall, 2500 20th St., Rosamond, 256-4663
• Kern County Human Services Department: Mojave office, 2340 Highway 58, Mojave, 824-7500, fax 824-7552
• Kern County Supervisor: District 2, Supervisor Don Maben, Field Representative James Welling, 1775 Highway 58, Mojave, 824-7120

Public safety

• Police: Kern County Sheriff Department, Rosamond substation, Sergeant Robert Daniels, 1379 Sierra Highway, Rosamond, 256-9700. Open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. Sworn officers: 10
• Animal shelter: Mojave Animal Shelter, 923 Poole St.
• Mojave Airport, Mojave, 824-1030, www.co.kern.ca.us.
• Nearest courthouse: Superior Court of California, East Division, Mojave Branch, 1773 Highway 58, Mojave, 824-7100. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday except Thursdays when they close at 4 p.m.

Services
Kern County Library: Wanda Kirk Branch, 3611 Rosamond Blvd., Rosamond, 256-3236, www.kerncountylibrary.org. Open noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday.

Parks and Recreation:
 Rosamond Community Services District, 3179 35th St.
West, Rosamond, 256-2073, www.rosamondcsd.com

Senior Citizens Center: Rosamond Senior Center, 2500 20th St. West, Rosamond, 256-1012. Open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday, closed weekends and holidays.

Other attractions
EFBC'S Feline Conservation Center:
3718 60th St. West, Rosamond, 256-3793
Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day except Wednesdays and Christmas Day.
Fees: adults, $5; children ages 3-12, $3; and seniors, $4.

Willow Springs International Raceway:
3500 75th St. West, Rosamond, 256-6666
Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
Fees: adults $10 per weekend (excluding special events), free for children 8 and under.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); Dryden Flight Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base Joint Tour:
1 S. Rosamond Blvd., Rosamond, 277-3517.
Tours available first and third Friday of each month at 10 a.m., by reservation only.

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