Hell, California


Hell is a locale in Riverside County, California, United States, approximately west of Blythe on Interstate 10.

Geography

As befits its name to many people, Hell has a climate stereotypical of a hot desert. In the absence of a weather station at the site of the defunct town, nearby Desert Center will suffice.

History

Hell was founded by Charles Carr in 1954. As of 1958 Carr, his wife, and their ten-year-old son Terry were the only inhabitants. Charles Carr served as the lone member of Hell's Chamber of Commerce.
Hell was abandoned in the late 1950s or early 1960s when it was isolated by the construction of U.S. Route 60 and U.S. 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. Before its demise, Hell had a service station, a beer tavern, and a good supply of drinking water.

Popular culture

Occasionally Hell was referenced in the press, typically in relation to the weather:
There were several roadside signs referencing Hell, including one near Indio, California, which read, "100 miles of desert ahead--right through Hell".
In her book, Riverside County, California, Placenames: Their Origins and Their Stories, Jane Davies Gunther notes that Hell "was consigned to oblivion when the California State Highway Department bought it, rather than make an interchange for it, thus making it impossible for anyone to go to Hell in Riverside County".
A song entitled "Hell, Ca., Pop. 4" was featured on the 1990 album Blackout in the Red Room by Love/Hate.

Citations and notes

Uncited references