Twentynine Palms Historical Society
29 Palms, California

The Historic Plaza

Frank and Helen Bagley and their three sons arrived in Twentynine Palms on Thanksgiving Day 1927. They had filed on a 160-acre homestead, setting up house in an 18 x 18-foot garage, which soon became the town's first general store when local miners and homesteaders began asking them to lend out or pick up supplies. The plaza, which grew up around Bagley's Market, soon became the social center of the community—with a general store, gas station, post office, garage, ice plant, jail, blockyard, cafe, and tankhouse. Bagley's market sold everything from apples to dynamite, provided notary service and was home to the first library and telephone switchboard.

Bagley's Market at the Plaza - c. 1928
Bagley's Market at the 29 Palms Plaza about 1928
Frank Bagley and dog Skippy in front of first store in 29 Palms