Hinkley, Desert community in San Bernardino County, United States
Hinkley is an unincorporated community located in the Mojave Desert region, roughly 14 miles northwest of Barstow. The settlement sits along California State Route 58, which provides connections to neighboring areas and larger towns.
An industrial facility operated cooling towers between 1952 and 1964, releasing chromium compounds into the ground. The contamination led to legal proceedings in the 1990s that shaped environmental law in California.
The community gained recognition through a groundwater pollution case that brought nationwide attention to environmental issues. The case later inspired Hollywood and made the settlement's name known to a wider audience.
The community uses ZIP code 92347 and sits on a through road leading directly to Barstow. Travelers should stock up on fuel and supplies in the nearest larger town, as local services remain limited.
The number of residents dropped sharply after health risks from contaminated groundwater became known. Some former homes now stand empty and reflect the departure of many families.
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