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| Landmark #933 | Los Angeles County | Visited: December 31, 2011 | Plaque? NO. 🙁 |
| What is it? | The ruins of an experimental Utopian community in the Antelope Valley desert! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: This was the site of the most important non-religious Utopian experiment in western American history. Its founder, Job Harriman, was Eugene Debs’ running mate in the presidential election of 1900. In subsequent years, Harriman became an influential socialist leader and in 1911 was almost elected mayor of Los Angeles. At its height in 1916, the colony contained a thousand members and was a flourishing communitarian experiment dedicated to the principal of cooperation rather than competition.
OTHER TIDBITS: Llano del Rio met its demise when an earthquake fault deprived the colony of its long-term water supply! So, the commune picked up and moved to Louisiana, where it lingered for two more decades, instituting such unheard-of practices as social security, a minimum wage, and universal healthcare! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: On State Hwy 138 (P.M. 64.1) Llano , CA 93553 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~74mi (120km) — 1.3hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |
