updated 10/16/23
Prayer Podcasts: for the city | for the officials | for churches/ministries
Location: east of Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree; right below the Marine base and right above Joshua Tree National Park off of Highway 62 which is accessed from Interstate 10. Elevation 1,988 feet.
Demographics; estimated population [2022] 27,491; median age is 24; M:F ratio1.3:1; 53% married; 59% have children at home; 88% speak English; 9% speak Spanish; 53% white; 23% Hispanic; 9% black; 4% Asian; 1.5% American Indian.
Location of Twentynine Palms in SBC
In 1855 a desert surveyor Colonel Henry Washington found Native Americans from the Chemeheuvi tribe, living in the surrounding hills and near the spring they called "Mar-rah," meaning "land of little water." The spring, which is now called the Oasis of Mara, is located on the grounds of the historic 29 Palms Inn adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park Headquarters and Oasis Visitor Center.
The early Native American inhabitants (Serrano, Chemheuvi, and Cahuilla) were followed in the 1870s by prospectors in search of gold. The Oasis of Mara was a favorite camping spot. Prospectors would rest and replenish their water supplies. The area was then generally known as Palms Springs.
Legend says that the name of Twentynine Palms was first used by these gold miners because of the 29 Washingtonia filifera palm trees surrounding the Oasis. However, a member of an 1858 survey party, reported that there were 26, not 29, fine, large palm trees at the oasis.
In the 1870s, local Native Americans led prospectors in the oasis where gold had been found. Mining began in the area now known as Gold Park. Gold mining continued through the following years but ended when World War I began, and there were no further new ore deposit discoveries.
Veterans returned from war suffering from tuberculosis and the effects of the mustard gas. Dr. James B. Luckie from Pasadena, California, treated many of these men and in the 1920s he looked for a beneficial environment for people afflicted with respiratory and heart ailments in the California high desert. He chose Twentynine Palms because of its moderate elevation and clean dry air and was accessible to cities. Veterans brought their families and began homesteading. It was this homesteading that developed the area that is Twentynine Palms today.
Two-rut roads were built beginning in 1927, and the community had its first school. About the ideology of the region, Pioneer Helen Bagley, author of "Sand in My Shoes," stated in her writings, "We did not always work in peace and harmony. But sincerity, interest and enthusiasm we had in common. We accomplished."
Twentynine Palms has never lost its pioneer spirit as it has progressed. That spirit is catching and affects many who have chosen to make their home here and have joined with the original families (and their second and third generations) in actively supporting the goals of the community.
“A Desert Oasis"
Specific Prayer Points
Environmental issues: Twentynine Palms, CA has a very high earthquake risk, with a total of 6,195 earthquakes since 1931. The USGS database shows that there is a 97.86% chance of a major earthquake within 50km of Twentynine Palms, CA within the next 50 years. The largest earthquake within 30 miles of Twentynine Palms, CA was a 7.3 Magnitude in 1992. Current in severe drought.
Governed by: City Council; County District 3; Twentynine Palms Water District
Schools/District: Morongo Unified School District; Oasis Elementary; Palm Vista Elementary; Twentynine Palms elementary; Condor Elementary; Twentynine Palms middle & high
Crime issues: [20220 92277 & 92278 A crime occurs every 4 hours 35 minutes (on average) in Twentynine Palms; overall grade D+; violent crime C-; property crime D; other crime D+; top crime issues are drug crimes 24% [very high]; 12% theft; burglary 9%; vandalism 6%
Poverty rate: 22.8% [high 7.8% > CA avg 15%]; M 19%; F 26%; 18-59 yrs.; 22%; 60-74 yrs. 15%
Points of interest: MAGTFTC/MCAGCC Twentynine Palms Marine Base
Spiritual needs: Churches unite & experience revival; intercessors to arise and claim this city and region for Jesus; including the Marine base; pastors connect and pray for revival, unity and encouragement; laborers for the harvest; breakdown every stronghold keeping the work of the Lord from growth; against the spirit of poverty and pharmakia [drugs]; recovery groups at the churches with addictions, families and good teachings for them to grow healthy; emboldened to share their faith and witness what God is doing in their lives; transformation of lives and reformation of the city
Churches & Ministries [not exhaustive]