Old Woman Meteorite.

Desert Discovery Center: USA's 2nd Largest Meteorite (Closed)

Closed in 2022.

America's second largest iron meteorite, was discovered in 1975 in the Old Woman mountains 1975 by three prospectors, later verified by the Smithsonian Institute. The U.S. Marine Corps removed the 6,070 lbs. space rock with a helicopter. In 1980 the Old Woman Meteorite traveled to the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. where a 942 pound piece was lopped off for scientific analysis, discovering the 4.5 billion year old meteorite was composed of a rare mix of metallic elements never seen in combination before. The rest of the meteorite is on permanent display at the Desert Discovery Center.

Two full-size Old Woman replicas are used for other museum displays and events. And further west along Route 66, the UCLA Meteorite Museum exhibits a slice of the Old Woman meteorite that visitors are allowed to touch.

Desert Discovery Center: USA's 2nd Largest Meteorite

Directions:: I-15 exit onto Barstow Rd/Hwy 247, then drive north two blocks. On the right.
Hours:: Closed in 2022.
Status:: Closed

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