Information
Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center (SBAB) is located in San Diego County with reserve facilities in the town of Borrego Springs. SBAB is operated by UC Irvine in conjunction with Anza-Borrego State Park. The State Parks office, located two miles west of the main reserve facility, houses a library, herbarium, and other collections.
Collections held on-site at SBAB pertain mainly to the recent history of the reserve and its erstwhile role as a country club and antique store. SBAB lies on the former site of the Borrego Springs Desert Club, founded in 1950. The clubhouse was built in 1949 and designed by architect William Kesling, who was known for his modernist buildings. The site became an antique store in 1968, and was incorporated into the NRS in 2011. SBAB records provide information about the partnership between the University and State Parks system, as well as the history of the Park itself and the nearby community of Borrego Springs.
Resources
Steele Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center(link is external)
Anza-Borrego State Park(link is external)
Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau Historical Archives(link is external)
On-site Collections
Anza-Borrego Reserve Administration Collection
Bennett Desert Club Collection
Schepe Desert Club Water Color Paintings Series
Off-site Collections
NRS Reserve Application Management System (RAMS) Database