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PALMDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERECE MANAGER TRACES TOWN'S HISTORYManager, Palmdale Chamber of Commerce Since the first known white man to set foot in the great Antelope Valley in 1772, the Valley has been destined to become a fantastic asset to the state of California and the United States. Throughout the years since the founding of the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce some forty-two plus years ago, the major concentration of energies has been in the areas of "protecting, encouraging and promoting the civic, agricultural, industrial, professional and commercial interests of Palmdale and its trade areas". Although many times in heated controversy on major and minor issues, the Chamber has survived both lean and prosperous years to further the objectives of the business community. Chamber involvement in the community affairs has proven both beneficial and rewarding since incorporation of the Chamber March 3, 1941. Many events have taken place in Palmdale that still have their effect today. Even before the Chamber was organized, many significant events led to the development of Palmdale. In 1876 the Southern Pacific Railroad laid track through then barren land. First settled in 1886 by German Lutherans, they called their community Palmenthal, presumably mistaking the Joshua trees for palm trees. In 1908, the name Palmdale emerged. During the 1930's the WPA built the Palmdale Airport, later to become known as Plant 42 when the Air Force purchased the property in the early 1950's. Since the aircraft industry settled in Palmdale it has become the major economic factor. The late '50's and early '60's, when defense spending was slashed for aircraft, the Palmdale area became somewhat dormant. In 1956, when the first manager of the Chamber came into existence (Clifford Rawson) the Chamber enhanced its constructive and positive force in the community. With the guidance of such presidents as Shelton Gordon, Earl Fleming, Larry Chimbole and George Goldman, the Chamber became helpful with the City incorporation in 1962. The school systems have also emerged, during the progress of expansion, into one of the finest educational systems in California. Progress through the years and the advent of Palmdale Intercontinental Airport have turned the eyes of the nation onto what was less than ninety years ago a California wasteland and is now Palmdale. The future of our great City holds many promising factors that with the combined efforts of our knowledgeable Planning Commission and the aggresive City Council, will inevitably produce not only a well balanced and economically strong city, but one to be envied by many American cities. Palmdale, presently the third largest city in Los Angeles County soon will be the second largest, leaving the city of Long Beach third and being second only to the city of Los Angeles. The cliche as transportation goes, so goes commerce will be
evidenced in Palmdale. The Antelope Valley Freeway, the
Metropolitan By-Pass Freeway, the Intercontinental Airport and the
proposed Rapid Transit System will be the initial enticement for
expansion into a well planned and compatible community in the
'70's.
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