Earlier this year, when the earth started to sink under Palm Ave, the Lynwood Department of Public Works quickly took action and found that an aging water main needed to be replaced. While digging in Palm Ave near the intersection with Bullis Road, crews came upon some bones. As mandated, work stopped and the coroner was called in to identify the bones, and if human, law enforcement authorities will open an investigation.
Luckily, the bones were not human. According to the coroner, they most likely belonged to a camel.
Camels in Lynwood?
It’s possible. According to historical accounts, the US Army brought more than two dozen camels to Southern California in the 1850s, specifically Culver City and Wilmington. The thought was that they would become workhorses in our desert environment. But the experiment was short-lived due to the American Civil War and the Mule Lobby that convinced Congress to block further import of Camels. By 1864, all of the Army’s camels were auctioned off and it’s possible one or two could have ended up in Lynwood.
Imagine the sight of camels walking along Long Beach Boulevard!
You can read more about the history here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/whatever-happened-wild-camels-american-west-180956176/