This was the first editorial written for Desert Magazine. Randall Henderson had quite a vision from the start and spent the two decades as the publisher-editor.
http://mydesertmagazine.com/files/193711-DesertMagazine-1937-November_1_.pdf
ONE IS A GRIM desolate wasteland. It is the home of venomous reptiles and stinging insects, of vicious thorn-covered plants and trees, and of unbearable heat. This is the desert seen by the stranger speeding along the highway, impatient to be out of “this damnable country.” It is the desert visualized by those children of luxury to whom any environment is unbearable which does not provide all of the comforts and services of a pampering civilization. It is a concept fostered by fiction writers who dramatize the tragedies of the desert for the profit it will bring them. But the stranger and the uninitiated see only the mask.
The other Desert—the real Desert-—is not for the eyes of the superficial observer, or the fearful soul or the cynic. It is a land, the character of which is hidden except to those who come with friendliness and understanding. To these the Desert offers rare gifts: health-giving sunshine—a sky that is studded with diamonds—a breeze that bears no poison—a landscape of pastel colors such as no artist can duplicate—thorn-covered plants which during countless ages have clung tenaciously to life through heat and drought and wind and the depredations of thirsty animals, and yet each season send forth blossoms of exquisite coloring as a symbol of courage that has triumphed over terrifying obstacles. To those who come to the Desert with friendliness, it gives friendship; to those who come with courage, it gives new strength of character. Those seeking relaxation find release from the world of man-made troubles. For those seeking beauty, the Desert offers nature’s rarest artistry. This is the Desert that men and women learn to love.
. . . one is fascinating, mysterious . . .
NEARLY every creed and industry and locality has its journal—except the Desert. Here, within the boundaries of Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah resides a great family of human beings—the highest type of American citizenship—with a common heritage of environment and interest and opportunity, yet residing for the most part in regions that are remote from the so-called cultural centers. This is the last great frontier of the United States. It will be the purpose of the Desert Magazine to entertain and serve the people whom desire or circumstance have brought to this Desert frontier. But also, the magazine will carry as accurately as possible in word and picture, the spirit of the real Desert to those countless men and women who have been intrigued by the charm of the desert, but whose homes are elsewhere.
This is to be a friendly, personal magazine, written for the people of the Desert and their friends—and insofar as possible, by Desert people. Preference will be given to those writers and artists—yes, and poets—whose inspiration comes from close association with the scented greasewood, the shifting sand dunes, the coloring of Desert landscapes, from precipitous canyons and gorgeous sunsets.
The Desert has its own traditions—art—literature—industry and commerce. It will be the purpose of the Desert Magazine to crystallize and preserve these phases of Desert life as a culture distinctive of arid but virile America. We would give character and personality to the pursuits of Desert peoples—create a keener consciousness of the heritage which is theirs—bring them a little closer together in a bond of pride in their Desert homes, and perhaps break down in some measure the prejudice against the Desert which is born of misunderstanding and fear. It is an idealistic goal, to be sure, but without vision the Desert would still be a forbidding wasteland—uninhabited and shunned. The staff of the Desert Magazine has undertaken its task with the same unbounded confidence which has brought a million people to a land which once was regarded as unfit for human habitation. We want to give to the folks who live on the Desert— and to those who are interested in the Desert—something that will make their lives a little happier and a little finer —something worthwhile. In the accomplishment of this purpose we ask for the cooperation and help of all friends of the Desert everywhere.
RANDALL HENDERSON,
J. WILSON MCKENNEY.
Publishers.
We fell in love with Anza Borrego on a recent trip there. I had no idea the desert was so beautiful. Your comments bring this all back. We’re thinking that it would be a wonderful place for our retirement. I wish your magazine was still being published!
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lady jane- i wish the mag never went out….
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Hello! I am interested in the Nov. 1969 issue WRT a story about Randsburg, CA. When might you have that issue up?
Thanks!
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we hope to have all issues sean up by this weekend so far we are up to 1955…. you can also find un on fb ! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Desert-Magazine/200026223027
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What true statements are made here. I know and love the fascinating, amazing desert. I went on to spend 30 years in the Desert, developing sand in my veins that after 20 years away still hasn’t changed to liquid form. Although I’ve found my life’s companion, whom I fist met in the Desert, and am happy for that, I expect to return to my Desert if he dies before I do, and I hope he does not.
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same here dayonda! i need to get out more in the desert! join us on fb https://www.facebook.com/pages/Desert-Magazine/200026223027
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I have a lot of DESERT magazines, some in origonal DESERT folders from the early fourties. Are they worth much? Anyone want to buy any/all? Also decades of rock and gem type magazines. internationaldave@gmail.com
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david- sorry for the late reply!! depends on the market-seller and buyer…. send me a list !
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My name is Chris Raring
I was at my Grandfathers house in March 2011 visiting with him and he brought out an original issue of Desert Magazine November 1938. He and my Great Grandfather were featured in the article titled Adventure Rope Down and Swim Out
My Grandfathers name is Fred Taylor the III my Great Grandfather was Fred Taylor Jr
Grandpa Fred remembers this trip very well and I saw the fire in his eyes when he talked about those days, he is 86 now and he introduced me to Desert Hounding
I currently live in Lancaster Ca and play alot in the El paso mtn rng and jaw bone canyon area
I remember when I was 9 yrs old and going camping down in horse theif canyon and the area the article took place at we went every year for 3-4 yrs and it was a high point in my childhood just as it was for my Grandfather
anyways I thought it was a treat to See my grandpa in a magazine article at the age of 12 he is retired now from work as an F.A.A. inspector and has traveled the wolrd in his profession but remebers those days in the desert like it was yesterday
thanks for publishing the old magazines so I could show my kids the story
on a funny side note my Father shot himself in the butt on that same trek but different year
with a .22 cal revolver with bird shot in it. my grandfather also found many Indian artifacts in that same area and all the artifacts were turned over to the L.A. Museum system
Again thanks
Chris Raring
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chris- thank you ! and great reading your post! the el paso mnts were my first stomping ground! join us on fb https://www.facebook.com/pages/Desert-Magazine/200026223027
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Hello!
I hope you don’t mind I linked to your webpage. Thanks for putting all of these great magazines online for everyone!
Bre
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thanks bre! great blog you have !! if you are on FB feel free to link up!!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Desert-Magazine/200026223027
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