On June 27, 1951, the Rotary Club of China Lake was chartered with 20 members. The Rotary Club of Oildale (Bakersfield North) was our sponsor. Over 100 Rotarians and guest gathered in the Trona Community Recreation Hall on the evening of October 2, 1951 for the Charter presentation by Past District Governor Joe Sears of Santa Barbara, California. The Charter Members included six Naval Officers, five civilian engineers and scientists from the Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake, three Trona Railroad officials, two China Lake school administrators, two medical doctors, a dentist and a manager of the American Potash and Chemical Company in Trona.
Since those early beginnings, Ridgecrest's population has grown from about 300 to well over 29,000. The club's meeting place has changed several times: from the Village Café to the Hideaway in 1954 and to Rossi's at the Heritage Inn in 1987. In the mid-1950's the club changed it's meeting day from Tuesday to Wednesday. In 1965 and 1991 membership grew to over 80 members. In 1988, Carol Beck, of Southern California Edison became the club's first woman member. Several members played key roles on the District staff over the years: two men stepped forward to become District Governor: Everett A. Long in 1977-78 and Darrell R. Johnson in 1996-1997. Another member, Steven R. Goad fulfilled two years service Assistant District Governor. In the fall of 1996, Ridgecrest hosted it's first District Conference at the Kerr McGee Center with over 450 Rotarians and guests attending. By 2001 the club was recognized with RI President and Governor Citations, Avenues of Service, Best Club and Super Club category awards.
