Father JJ Crowley Desert Memorial

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Father JJ Crowley passed away in an automobile accident, 1940. This famous Roadside Memorial is located on Highway/Route 14 North, Inyo Kern Ca. He is also know as the Desert Padre. His love for the people of the desert, Mojave Desert was apparent in his efforts. Most famous was the following.

Wedding of the Waters. In 1937 a 3 day event took place to celebrate the opening of a new road from Lone Pine to Death Valley. A gourd was filled with water from the highest lake in the U.S. on the side of Mt. Whitney. Father Crowley made a point to use all the current popular modes of transportation in California for this event. A Native American runner, Pony Express, miner and burro, 20-mule team, stage coach, train, plane and car. There were many famous participants. The goal was for this goard of Water to arrive at the lowest lake in the U.S. and when it did, it was poured into Bad Water, Death Valley.

This completed the official, Wedding of the Waters.

Another goal of Father Crowley was about Tourism in the Deserts. He also faought to save the water from being taken by the Los Angeles River.

That\u2019s another story and more of a reason to look him up.