An Abandoned Desert Town Revitalized - Even Their Lake Was Saved!

Once a thriving desert escape for Hollywood stars and wellness seekers, Jacumba Hot Springs in southeastern San Diego County had all but faded from memory—until a trio of visionaries stepped in to revive its soul. Today, Jacumba is experiencing a stunning rebirth, blending ecological restoration, cultural revival, and the timeless magic of its healing mineral waters. As recently featured on CBS News, this small town is proving that even the most forgotten places can rise again.

💧 The Healing Waters That Started It All

Jacumba’s story begins with its natural hot springs, which have drawn people to the region for centuries. The Kumeyaay people were among the first to settle here, recognizing the springs’ therapeutic properties. With temperatures reaching up to 104°F and a mineral profile rich in lithium, silica, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide, these waters are known to:

• Relieve joint and muscle pain

• Soothe skin conditions like psoriasis and acne

• Promote mental clarity and calm

• Support immune and cardiovascular health

  
  

In the early 20th century, Jacumba became a wellness mecca, with public bathhouses and a world-class hotel attracting celebrities like Clark Gable and Myrna Loy. The town flourished—until it didn’t.

Pictures above are from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Yvhng2y6Gs

🛣️ Why Jacumba Was Deserted

Jacumba’s decline began in the 1970s when Interstate 8 bypassed the town by just two miles, diverting traffic and tourism away from its once-bustling main street. Businesses shuttered, the iconic Jacumba Hotel was destroyed in an arson fire in the 1980s, and the town slowly slipped into obscurity. The mineral baths were capped, the lake dried up, and Jacumba became a ghost town—its healing waters forgotten.

These photos capture Jacumba Hot Springs before its transformation. The area now lush with greenery was once the site of a dried-up lake, a stark reminder of what had been lost. Thanks to the vision and dedication of a passionate development team, the lake has been restored to life, becoming a centerpiece of the town’s ecological and cultural renewal.

Scroll down to see how this space—and the spirit of Jacumba—has been beautifully reimagined. 🌿

Pictures above are from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Yvhng2y6Gs

🏨 The Heartbeat of Revival: Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel

In 2020, Jeff Osborne, Melissa Strukel, and Corbin Winters purchased the Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel and 80% of the town’s commercial property. Their mission? To restore Jacumba as a sanctuary for wellness, creativity, and community.

The hotel’s grand reopening in 2024 marked a turning point. Guests now soak in mineral-rich pools fed directly from the earth, enjoy candlelit concerts in the restored bathhouse, and gather in spaces designed for connection and healing.

🌊 Saving the Lake: A Symbol of Ecological Hope

One of the most powerful symbols of Jacumba’s rebirth is the restoration of its man-made lake. Once a dry, littered basin, the lake has been revived with native flora and reopened wells, creating a habitat for migratory birds and a serene space for locals and visitors alike. It’s now a place to soak, reflect, and reconnect with nature.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

🎨 Culture, Creativity, and Community

Jacumba is now a haven for artists, musicians, and wellness seekers. Weekly concerts, art installations, and community events breathe life into once-abandoned spaces. Melissa Strukel’s design vision has infused the town with creative energy, turning it into a place where imagination and healing go hand in hand.

Photos from https://jacumba.com/

💬 A Model for Small-Town Revival

Jacumba Hot Springs is more than a comeback story—it’s a blueprint for small-town transformation. By honoring its history, protecting its ecology, and embracing its healing waters, Jacumba shows how intentional stewardship can restore not just buildings, but spirit.

From Osborne's recent media interviews puts it, “We feel this place is extremely special. We see this geography as unique, worth protecting and worth saving.”

So -find what is unique about your community and embrace it, build upon it, and market it.

✨ Final Thoughts

Jacumba’s journey is a testament to what happens when visionaries invest not just money, but heart and soul into a place. It’s a story of resistance, resilience, and rebirth—one that reminds us that even a dried-up lake can be filled again, and even a forgotten town can shine anew.