Pedernal

County: Torrance

Year Established: 1917

Year Abandoned: 1955

Location: 3 mi S of US 60, 9 mi SW of Encino

About: Pedernal, which translates to Flint in spanish, was established in 1902 and was named after the Pedernal Hills to the north. The town is located three miles south of U.S. 60 just nine miles southwest of Encino.

The post office opened in 1917 and soon after a four-room adobe school house was built in 1935. The first two years of high school were added to the curriculum but due to lack of students they were bussed into Encino.

Surviving on the agricultural economy of the Estancia Valley and thanks to the railroad and bean elevators Pedernal boomed for twenty years. The town shipped thousands of sacks of pinto beans from Pedernal each year in their prime.

When local agriculture declined, Pedernal faded as well and the post office closed in 1955.

Remains: Tons to see! Well worth the stop!