Cabazon, California

Cabazon (Spanish: Cabazón)[3][4] is an unincorporated community in Riverside County, California, United States.

[5] In the 21st century, the area has become a tourist stop, due to the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa and Desert Hills Premium Outlets.

For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Cabazon as a census-designated place (CDP).

In 1884 a new town was laid out by the Scottish-owned Cabazon Land and Water Company, which established a fruit farm.

[8] One key dispute was between residents who hoped that Cabazon could be developed as a resort city like Palm Springs to the east, versus cardroom owners who wanted to keep Cabazon's population low so that the city government's operating expenses (and their taxes) would remain low and not impinge on their profits.

That revenue stream vanished when Interstate 10 was completed in California circa 1964, and US Route 60 was decommissioned.

[9] With changing demographics and regional economy, locals in the early 21st century have intermittently discussed reincorporating the area.

[11] California State Route 243 was renamed as the "Esperanza Firefighters Memorial Highway" to honor them.

[12] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.9 square miles (13 km2).

The Census Bureau definition of the area may not precisely correspond to the local understanding of the community.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Cabazon had a median household income of $33,333, with 22.1% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

The site features two sculptures: a 150-ton building in the shape of a larger-than-life-sized Brontosaurus (begun in 1964, completed in 1975), and a 100-ton Tyrannosaurus rex structure (built in 1981).

[35][36] The dinosaurs, nicknamed "Dinny" and "Mr. Rex," respectively, were installed to attract customers to Claude Bell's Wheel Inn Cafe.

Some residents grew up with them along the highway in southern California; others may remember them from various films and videos, notably in Pee-wee's Big Adventure.

[43] In addition, they partnered for tribal business with Arrowhead Mountain Springwater to develop a huge water-bottling facility on the eastern edge on Cabazon in 2003.

[45] In the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, Cabazon is in 5th district, represented by Democrat Yxstian Gutierrez.

[50] This part of the freeway Interstate 10 appears on the musical video of the American band Tears for fears, Everybody wants to rule the world published in 1985.

Dinny the Dinosaur
Riverside County map