But what about this Zzyzx business?

It turns out that in 1944, a man by the name of Curtis Springer arrived at Soda Springs with his wife Helen. Although by his own description Soda Springs was little more than a "mosquito swamp," Springer had visions for this spring. He claimed the spring under a mining claim from the Bureau of Land Management and renamed it Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Resort. (By the way, Zzyzx is pronounced "zye-zix.") He also marketed several health food products, published a newsletter, and had a daily radio program.

As time went by, however, complaints arose that the products didn't work as advertised. In addition many truly sick folks arrived at Zzyzx only to discover that they were miles from licensed medical care and ambulance service. He drew the wrath of the AMA, the Pure Food and Drug Administration and the IRS. In 1968 the Bureau of Land Management began court proceedings to revoke his mining claim and  finally won their case, took possession of the spring, and evicted the Springers. The Springers moved to Las Vegas, vowed to fight the decision, but never prevailed. Although the name of the spring reverted to its original name, Soda Spring, the road to the spring is still known as Zzyzx Road.

(Thanks to Don Catlin, a retired professor of mathematics from the University of Massachusetts who researched the story.)