Desert

Magazine Overview

Title: Desert
Issue Date: May, 1981
Price: $1.50
Cover Headline: The Best of David Muench A Photo Album

This issue of Desert Magazine delves into the enigmatic figure of George W. Van Tassel and his ambitious "Integratron," an "Anti-Gravity Time Machine." The cover also highlights articles on Padre Kino, the Mountain Lion, and Cleveland Amory's efforts to save feral burros, alongside a photo album by David Muench.

George W. Van Tassel and His Anti-Gravity Time Machine

This feature article by Rosemary Evans, with photography by Jim Cronkite, explores the mysterious Giant Rock in the California desert and its connection to George W. Van Tassel. Critzer, an eccentric German immigrant, initially carved a three-room cave dwelling within the rock, living there from 1929 to 1942. He was known for his mechanical skills and was visited by pilots who used his airstrip. Van Tassel, a self-taught flight engineer who worked at aircraft plants, was a close friend of Critzer's.

Critzer's life ended tragically on July 25, 1942, when an explosion of dynamite killed him. Rumors of him being a spy led sheriff's deputies to investigate, and the ensuing incident, whether Critzer panicked or intentionally triggered the dynamite, resulted in his death.

After the war, Van Tassel leased 2,600 acres of government land, including Giant Rock, and moved in with his family. He developed the area, operating a cafe and allowing rock hunters to collect specimens. In 1951, Van Tassel reported seeing a large, fast airship, an event that significantly influenced his life's work.

Van Tassel founded the "Ministry of Universal Wisdom, Religion and Science Merged" and hosted annual Flying Saucer Conventions at Giant Rock, which at their peak drew 15,000 people. He claimed to have hosted visitors from outer space. The ministry also built a unique, non-metallic structure called the "Dome," which is technically remarkable and expensive. This structure is described as an "Electrostatic-Magnetic-Generator For Basic Research & Experience Into LIFE & TIME & ENERGY" from "Intra Dimensional Concepts."

Despite Van Tassel's death in February 1978, his associates, led by his widow Andrea, claim to be continuing his work on the Integratron, aiming to make it operational. The article concludes by noting the abandonment of the cafe and the reduced use of the airstrip, but suggests that Giant Rock remains a place where one might spot a UFO.

Other Articles Mentioned

While the primary focus is on Van Tassel, the cover also indicates other articles:

• Padre Kino: His Life and Times: A biographical piece on Padre Kino.
• Mountain Lion: The Great Cat's Last Stand: An article likely focusing on the conservation or status of mountain lions.
• Reprieve for Brighty: Cleveland Amory Saves the Feral Burros: A story about Cleveland Amory's efforts to protect feral burros.
• The Best of David Muench: A Photo Album: A collection of photographs by David Muench, showcasing desert landscapes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to focus on the unique aspects of the desert environment, including its history, natural inhabitants, and the unusual phenomena and personalities associated with it. The prominent feature on George W. Van Tassel and the Integratron suggests an editorial interest in unexplained phenomena, alternative science, and the intersection of human endeavor with the mysterious. The inclusion of articles on Padre Kino and mountain lions indicates a broader scope covering history and wildlife within the desert context. The overall stance seems to be one of exploration and documentation of the intriguing and often overlooked aspects of desert life and lore.