Editing Inyokern, California (section)

==History==

Inyokern was founded in the mid-19th century as an agrarian community located in the northernmost corner of the Mojave Desert.  It expanded during construction of the [[Owens Valley aqueduct]].<ref name=CGN /> The first post office opened in 1910.<ref name=CGN />

The Inyokern Elementary School was founded in 1913. The original building was replaced in the mid-1930s by a larger building with a stage and indoor restrooms. This building was demolished in the early 1970s. In the 1930s, half a dozen irrigated farms were scattered around Indian Wells Valley, growing mostly alfalfa and livestock. Community events were held in Inyokern Hall, which still stands.

With the onset of World War II, the US Navy located its new [[Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake]] in Inyokern.  This accounts for the length of the runways and the size of the county airport.  The military base was subsequently moved{{when|date=March 2023}} to the east {{convert|12|mi|km}} and the city of Ridgecrest was established as a commercial support center for that base.