Hell, California

According to the United States Geological Survey, Hell is a locale located in Riverside County, California, USA, at coord|33|41|27|N|115|16|22|W|.

History

Hell was founded by Charles Carr in 1954. Carr, with his wife and their ten-year-old son Terry were the only inhabitants as of 1958. He also served as the lone member of Hell's Chamber of Commerce.

On several occasions, Hell has been referenced when it is especially hot out. Columnist Art Ryon mentioned in his September 7, 1955 column in the Los Angeles Times that on September 1, it was 110 degrees in Los Angeles, yet was only 105 degrees in Hell. On October 17, 1958, The Los Angeles Times published an article "LA's Hotter Than Hell--Only 97 There" when it reached 104 degrees the same day. According to a UPI news report, it also snowed in Hell at least once, causing many to remark that "it was a cold day in Hell".

There were once several roadside signs referencing Hell, including one near Indio, California which read "100 miles of desert ahead - right through Hell."

Hell was abandoned in the late 1950's or early 1960's when it was isolated by the construction of US Highway 60 and 70. Its remains were demolished and burned by the California State Division of Highways in late 1964 to make way for what would eventually become Interstate 10.

References

* Ryon, Art (Sept. 7, 1955). "Ham on Ryon". "Los Angeles Times", p. A5.
* Times Correspondent (Apr. 4, 1958). "Rain? Even Hell Gets Inch Of It". "Los Angeles Times", p. 2.
* Times Correspondent (Oct. 17, 1958). "LA's Hotter Than Hell--Only 97 There". "Los Angeles Times", p. 2.
* "Sign Theft Raises Cain Near Hell". (Jan. 1, 1967). "Los Angeles Times", p. E4.
* UPI (Dec. 7, 1964). "No more Hell, courtesy of Highway Dept.". "The (Oxnard) Press-Courier", p. 16.

ee also

Place names considered unusual