Working with the collections of the Morongo Basin Historical Society http://mbhs.net/ and the Twentynine Palms Historical Society and Museum http://www.29palmshistorical.com/
the interactive timeline builds on research into Giant Rock begun in 2001, shortly after the mass split apart. Since this time, more information and photographs have become available online. This ongoing project will provide links in the timeline entries and juxtapose these histories with site images, interviews and investigations. Please return to our timeline for audio downloads and new information. If you would like to contribute or offer feedback contact karyl@karylnewman.com.
©2016-2024
Relics have established that people lived in the Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree National Park areas 4,000 to 8,000 years ago. Witnessing the water accumulation in 2017, one wonders if the site may have been a stopping point for traverses to Big Bear or Tehachapi for resident tribes due to availability of water from collected rainfall and via nearby Surprise Springs. Given the physical size, could Giant Rock have been a significantly useful shelter or regarded a as sacred site? Research to answer these questions is ongoing.
View on timelineNamed the "Great Stone' by Indians of the high desert, the site sixteen miles north of highway 62 began to be known as "Giant Rock" by white settlers new to the region.
View on timelineCharles was born on the Pala Indian Reservation in San Diego County where his father Anthony was the first non-Indian settler and started the first store.
View on timelineA Paiute-Chemehuevi native is born near Pahrump, NV and will lead a mysterious love story in the Morongo Basin.
View on timelineFrank M. Critzer is listed on the 1900 census for Illinois Township, Sumner County, Kansas as the 14 year old son of James and Etta who relocated to Kansas sometime in 1887 from Virginia.
View on timelineReche age 17 meets Nellie (Francis Eleanor Warren), daughter to Chuck (Mark's) and Sylvia Paine, who would become his wife on January 13, 1896.
View on timelineNellie and Charley lay claim to a homestead 16 miles north of Warren's Well in what will later be known as Landers.
View on timelineWorking for the US Indian Service Bureau's Banning office, Clara and Maude made two trips to the Oasis of Mara in 1909 and 1910.
View on timelineWhile working as a foreman of the Desert Queen Mine in JTNP, Charley Reche joined the posse hunting down Willie Boy.
View on timelineReche moved his family to Rich's Well and built a rock house at what is now the Integratron site. He work a mining operation at Goat Mountain from 1914 to 1932.
View on timelineGeorge Van Tassel leaves Ohio for California where his uncle, Glenn Paine owned an auto garage at 2nd Street and Broadway in Santa Monica, CA.
View on timelineDuring Critzer's time at Giant Rock, George established a career building on three years of work at Cleveland Municipal Airport.
View on timelineFrank Critzer camped in the shadow of Giant Rock and eventually dug out a 24 x 36 foot living space underneath.
View on timelineThe 1941 LA Sectional Map is the first to designate Critzer's effort as Giant Rock Airport.
View on timelineThree deputies from Riverside County visit to investigate the large airport antenna and war-fueled suspicions about Giant Rock resident, Frank Critzer.
View on timelineAfter Frank Critzer's death, Van Tassel and his wife and three daughters would camp out at Giant Rock as they loved the place.
View on timelineGeorge built a cafe, the Come On Inn in the ruins of Critzer's underground quarters. His daughters attended 29 Palms High School. Cars and campers joined the aircraft and visitors would enjoy the remote, quiet desert and rock hunt in the nearby hills where garnets, copper sulfate, agate and jasper could be found on the surface. Astronauts training for a manned lunar landing were said to have practiced here among the rock piles and black volcanic deposits rather than the nearby Marine base. Eventually, the site became a favorite for UFO observations. Van Tassel began hosting the Flying Saucer Convention to crowds of 6,000 to 15,000 guests as well as authors, experts and abductees from all over the world.
View on timelineThe "Picture of the Week" in Life magazine features the feat of winching an auto atop the boulder. Rumor has it Van Tassel took a rare break to see a motion picture and friends surprised him with their installation. The engine had been removed.
View on timelineGeorge Van Tassel's first book, curiously written before the seminal trip with aliens from Venus who delivered the ideas for the creation of the Integratron.
View on timelineIn the restructed room underneath Giant Rock, Van Tassel began to host weekly gatherings.
View on timelineProceedings was the monthly newsletter eventually published by the College of Universal Wisdom, a branch of the Ministry of Universal Wisdom over which Van Tassel presides.
View on timelineGiant Rock Interplanetary Spacecraft Convention.
View on timelineThe 16-sided two story wooden dome structure breaks ground.
View on timelineA modern proof of the origin of humanity and its retrogression from the Original Creation of Man. Verified by the Holy Bible ... received through thought communication By George Van Tassel
View on timelineLife Magazine publishes story - "Believers hold meeting in desert to swap interplanetary tales" on the Giant Rock UFO Conventions with photos by Ralph Crane.
View on timelineRecording of interview of George Van Tassel by Long John Nebel for The Partyline.
View on timelineA science and philosphy organization formed for the purpose of research into the unseen truths of life. Proceedings was the quarterly publication.
View on timeline"The building, when complete will be four stories high, 45 feet in diameter, and is being constructed without nails, screws or metal support."
View on timelineThe Extraordinary Equation of George Van Tassel by KVOS Webster Reports
View on timelineDesert Magazine publishes article by June Pearson.
View on timelineVan Tassel sold Giant Rock Airport to the Bradys who in turn gave it to Jose Roderiguez and his family in 1977.
View on timelineWhile in Pasadena, CA preparing for a television interview, a healthy Van Tassel expires in his hotel room to the surprise of everyone. Other reports say Santa Ana.
View on timeline"I just went in and did it (petitioned for the reservation) for the tribe. That (Giant Rock) is our sacred land," said Velasques. "I'm just excercising my rights to protect what is sacred."
View on timelineEmile Canning and his company EJC productions offer tours and workshops at the Integratron starting in 1990 covering meditation, UFOs, spiritual growth and women's issues.
View on timelineEmile Canning lists the 10-acre property for sale at $165,000
View on timelineA photograph taken by Jeff Alu dated 2000 shows the boulder complete.
View on timelineThe Great Stone breaks into two pieces fulfilling ancient Native American prophecy. Articles in the Hi-Desert Star newspaper make some guesses as to why the boulder broke.
View on timelineEarly on the Karl sisters began offering Sound Baths inside the upper level of the dome by appointment only by advance registration online. Over the years they have increased the other amenities at the site and one may enjoy the grounds, stop by the gift shop, or have a picnic.
View on timelineThe Hi-Desert Star reported an unidentified woman painted the exposed surfaces of Giant Rock red.
View on timelineAlong with the Morongo Basin Historical Society, the ancient and honorable fraternal Order of E. Clampus Vitus - Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069 install a plaque at the Integratron.
View on timelineFor High Desert Test Sites artist Bettina Hubby created a temporary art installation.
View on timelineIn the shadow of Giant Rock, Sasha Archibald's excellent article is published in Cabinet Magazine's issue #53 - Stones.
View on timeline... features images from LIFE magazine on the heyday of Giant Rock UFO Conventions.
View on timeline