Zzyzx, California, originates from the inventive mind of Curtis Howe Springer, an individual infamous for his quackery and fraudulent medical practices. Springer, born in 1896 in Birmingham, Alabama, was a master of manipulation, adept at selling false hope in the form of miracle cures to the American public. His background is a patchwork of unverifiable claims, including alleged roles as a boxing instructor during World War I, an anti-alcohol campaigner, and various educational pursuits that were largely fabricated.
Springer’s journey to establish Zzyzx began in the early 1930s when he ventured into the health resort business, despite facing financial challenges and closures at previous locations. His discovery of Soda Springs in 1944 marked a turning point, laying the groundwork for what would become Zzyzx Mineral Springs Health Resort. Springer’s ambition was to create a health spa that would offer a range of alternative therapies, leveraging the natural springs’ supposed healing properties.