The Antelope Valley Exhibition Hall
— North of Los Angeles, South of Bakersfield —
The greater Antelope Valley is located about 65 miles northeast of Los Angeles, within the southwest portion of the Mojave Desert. The Antelope Valley received its name from the antelope that roamed across the area until the “last one” vanished during the late 1930’s or early 1940’s.
Like many towns in Southern California, Lancaster was born when the Southern Pacific Railroad came through the region during the summer of 1876. A few years later, old Palmenthal was developed into Palmdale.
After the railroad came through the Antelope Valley, settlements took root. Jewish pioneers began living in the area at that time.
Antelope Valley, map of pioneer colonies
Tehachapi
Herman M. Jacobs: Early Jewish Pioneer Merchant of Tehachapi
Lancaster
Leo Harris: Early Jewish Pioneer Merchant of the Antelope Valley of California
