Month: January 2025

Open Draft – Yet another

I went down to the crossroads
Fell down on my knees
I went down to the crossroads
Fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above for mercy, woo-ooh
Save me, if you please
– Crossroads – Clapton

Pre-European Contact (Before 1770s)
Tataviam and Kitanemuk peoples inhabit the region, using trails through San Francisquito Canyon and Elizabeth Lake for trade and migration.
Elizabeth Lake (La Laguna de Chico Lopez) serves as a natural water source.

Spanish & Mexican Period (1770s-1848)
1770s-1820s: Spanish explorers and missionaries establish travel routes between Mission San Fernando and the San Joaquin Valley.
1830s: The area becomes part of Mexican land grants, including Rancho La Liebre and Rancho El Tejon, supporting ranching and travel.

The Lost ’49ers & Death Valley (1849-1850)
Summer 1849: The Lost ’49ers follow the Hunt Cutoff, a supposed shortcut to California goldfields, leading them into Death Valley.
November 1849: The emigrants become trapped, suffering from starvation and dehydration.
December 1849: William Manly and John Rogers travel over 250 miles to find help, passing near Searles Lake before reaching Rancho San Francisco.
January-February 1850: Survivors escape past Elizabeth Lake, through San Francisquito Canyon, and toward Los Angeles.
February 1850: The last emigrants leave Death Valley, one reportedly saying, “Goodbye, Death Valley.”

Stagecoach & Freight Era (1850s-1870s)
1853: San Francisquito Pass is surveyed for a wagon road linking Los Angeles to the San Joaquin Valley.
1858: The Butterfield Overland Mail establishes a stage stop at Elizabeth Lake, making it an important relay station.
1860s: Freight wagons carry borax and silver from Searles Lake through San Francisquito Canyon and Elizabeth Lake en route to San Pedro Harbor.
1860s-1870s: Elizabeth Lake continues as a key stop for stagecoaches and freight wagons.

Railroad & Decline of Stage Routes (1876-1890s)
1876: The Southern Pacific Railroad completes the Los Angeles-to-San Francisco line, reducing reliance on stage routes.
1880s: Twenty-mule teams transport borax from Death Valley to Mojave, where shipments are transferred to San Francisco by rail.
1890s: Rail connections replace the wagon freight industry, but Elizabeth Lake Road and San Francisquito Canyon remain important travel routes.

Elizabeth Lake

The Mojave Phone Booth was a payphone located in the Mojave National Preserve, 15 miles east of Baker, California. It gained a following in the late 1990s when folks saw the phone booth website exposing the phone booth visitors started dialing in at the phone booth to hear the other end answered. The booth, placed in the 1960s, initially sat in a location to serve miners and ranchers in the off-the-beaten-path region. It was a run-of-the-mill payphone, first a rotary dial model and then a push button model. It gained a phone number, (714) xxx-xxxx (later changed to 619 with updated area codes for current times).

In the late ’90s, a web surfer named Godfrey Daniels discovered its presence and posted its phone number. Word traveled rapidly through web forums, and visitors started hiking into the desert to dial in, converse, and even answer the phone. Some visitors even pitched a tent nearby to converse with strangers dialing in from all over the planet. It became a surreal social experiment, with stories of deep conversation and chance encounters.

Due to concerns of the National Park Service, under whose administration part of the Mojave National Preserve lay, in 2000, it took down the booth in May. Officials cited concerns over the environment and the danger posed by its presence in a delicate environment and for visitors. Still, its legend lives in pop culture, with a short film, books, and ongoing nostalgia for those who remember it.

For over two decades gone, the Mojave Phone Booth lives in legend, a reminder of digital-era chance, proving that we can make chance encounters and meaningful contact even in most off-the-beaten-path locations.

Comprehending Evergreen and Seasonal Topics of the Mojave Desert

The Mojave Desert is a stunning destination filled with tales of survival, science, and culture. Certain topics on the Mojave are as enduring as the desert-long-lasting, stable, and perpetually in fashion. Such subjects are referred to as “evergreen” topics, which never wane in popularity. Some topics are transient, tied to today’s news or specific dates. Such are the “deciduous” topics, losing importance over time as autumn leaves drop. Let us examine both sets, remembering how they teach and enrich our understanding and appreciation of this amazing desert.

Evergreen Mojave Topics: The Desert’s Permanent Stories Interesting sections of the Mojave Desert are never a disappointment. Nature and wildlife, for instance, never cease to intrigue people and scientists alike. Stories such as “The Unique Adaptations of Mojave Desert Plants” or “Animals You Can Spot in the Mojave” never fail to grab your attention, whether you read them at any time. The Joshua tree, the emblem of the Mojave, is yet another that never gets old. Its strange shape and capability to endure harsh weather speak volumes that bridge the past to the present. Geology is a source of enduring knowledge. Reading essays such as “How the Mojave Desert Was Created” or “The Mojave’s Ancient Lake Systems” teaches about the mechanisms that formed the desert millions of years ago. Such subjects are not exclusive to geologists—these are interesting for anyone interested in learning the big picture of our planet.

History and culture within the Mojave are important as well. From the Native American communities to miners and ranchers who came afterward, the stories of individuals persevering and being creative are all quite important. A travel guide to historical trails, like the Mojave Road, or the story about how the California Gold Rush affected the desert will always be of value. They allow us to connect with those that came before us on this planet.

Finally, practical travel tips—like “Best Hiking Trails in the Mojave Desert” or “How to Visit the Mojave Safely”—are useful to anyone preparing for a trip. These evergreen topics are always valuable, providing tips and recommendations that don’t change year after year.

Changing Mojave Topics: The Desert Today Not all things in the Mojave are always the same. Some are bound to a point in time, such as news stories, seasons, or scientific discoveries. For instance, “Mojave Desert Conservation Update” or “2025 Mojave Wildfires” are significant but lose their meaning as things shift. Seasonal content is another form of transitory content. For instance, stories on the “Best Places to Observe Wildflowers in the Mojave This Spring” are interesting for a couple of months but not when the flowers are gone. Similarly, seasonal event calendars, such as a 2025 meteor shower or a list of winter trails to trek, are extremely interesting but for a limited time.

Trending topics fit into this category. So, for example, “The Most Instagrammable Places in the Mojave This Year” will receive attention for a short time but will not be relevant next year when the trend shifts. In the same vein, news of renewable energy developments or tourist numbers are thrilling for a short time but quickly become old news as new news takes its place.

Travel content, say hotel advertising or opening theme parks, is a transitory subject. It is useful to visitors while they plan their holiday, but individuals don’t generally return to such content after an extended period from their break.

Even science is deciduous. New discoveries, like new fossil discoveries or revised climate statistics, are thrilling when they first come out but ultimately get integrated into the overall corpus of knowledge. These tales might be part of the larger Mojave story, but they’re anchored in the here and now.

Why It Matters

Both evergreen and deciduous subjects play a valuable role in telling the Mojave Desert’s story. Evergreen content remains timely, offering valuable information and inspiration to people who love or wish to know more about the desert. Deciduous content, on the other hand, adds a feeling of urgency, connecting us to the news and discoveries that are currently unfolding in the Mojave. Having an understanding of the difference makes it clear how the Mojave Desert is simultaneously ageless and forever changing—much like the stories we tell about it. Whether we are amazed by its ancient rocks or tracing the latest conservation efforts, the Mojave has something for everybody at every moment.

1. Indigenous Histories Focus on the original Native American residents like the Mojave, Chemehuevi, Serrano, and Paiute people. Emphasize traditions, trade routes (e.g., Mojave Trail), religious beliefs, and their adaptation to the harsh desert environment. Mention the effects of colonization, like displacement, cultural loss, and present-day preservation efforts.

2. Exploration and Early Settler Histories Talk about early explorers like Jedediah Smith, John Fremont, and Francisco Garces. This would involve the creation of trails, like the Mojave Road and Old Spanish Trail, for trade and migration purposes. Discuss early homesteading enterprises and settler-Native interactions.

3. Histories of Mining and Economic Development Involve boom-and-bust patterns of mining towns like Calico, Rhyolite, and Goldfield. Describe the mining of gold, silver, borax, and other minerals and their economic significance. Highlight transportation infrastructure like railroads (e.g., Tonopah and Tidewater) that supported mining operations.

4. Military Histories Describe military use of the Mojave, including the establishment of forts (e.g., Fort Mojave) to protect settlers and trade routes. Including World War II-era training camps like Camp Iron Mountain and the Desert Training Center. Highlight the Mojave’s role in defense testing and operations at Fort Irwin and Edwards Air Force Base bases.

5. Transportation and Route Histories Discuss desert travel route development, from Native trade trails to wagon roads and railroads. Feature famous highways like Route 66 and their cultural influence. Describe water stops, stagecoach stations, and road towns that served travelers.

6. Agricultural Histories Discuss the challenges and technology of desert dry land farming and ranching. Feature homesteading stories and irrigation projects like those in Lucerne Valley or Imperial Valley. Observe how modern development altered ranching lands.

7. Environmental and Geologic Histories Explain how desert environments, ancient lake systems (e.g., Lake Manix), and unique geologic features developed. Highlight changes in vegetation and fauna over time and human impact on the ecosystems. Add paleontological discoveries, e.g., fossils in the Rainbow Basin.

8. Tourism and Preservation Histories Describe the creation of national parks and monuments like Joshua Tree, Death Valley, and Mojave National Preserve. Discuss the growth of desert tourism, ghost town tourism, and recreation activities. Describe efforts at conserving cultural and natural heritage sites.

Summary

Mojave Desert histories can be grouped into these main types:

1. Indigenous Histories: Focus on Native peoples, their culture, trade, and adaptation.
2. Exploration and Settlers: Highlight explorers, early settlers, and trade routes.
3. Mining and Development: Cover mining booms, ghost towns, and railroads.
4. Military Histories: Include forts, WWII training camps, and modern bases.
5. Transportation Routes: Explore trails, railroads, Route 66, and travel stops.
6. Agriculture: Discuss ranching, farming, and irrigation efforts in the desert.
7. Environmental Histories: Explain geological formations, ancient lakes, and ecosystems.
8. Tourism and Preservation: Focus on parks, ghost towns, and conservation.

The Mojave Desert is rich and varied in its history. Its past teaches us how occurrences that happened in a place help us to understand connections between people, places, and larger historical trends. The distinctive lands, settings, and natural resources of the Mojave influenced the way people lived there and generated narratives that are still linked to this place.

https://mojavedesert.net/history/regional/

Local History and Family Background in the Mojave Desert Local history and family history are frequently intertwined in the Mojave Desert. The communities that were settled here early, from mining boomtowns to railroad towns, were frequently documented by the families of the first people who came here, pioneers, prospectors, ranchers, and homesteaders. These histories preserve knowledge about the first settlers, their failures and successes at carving out a life in a brutal landscape. They also depict segments of the lives of Native American people, such as the Mojave, Chemehuevi, and Serrano Indians, who inhabited the region many years before the European settlers arrived.

These histories are a goldmine for genealogists. They provide in-depth information about the families who resided and worked in the Mojave and the economic and social circumstances they encountered. Church records, school rolls, and local newspapers show how families expanded, businesses flourished or collapsed, and communities changed.

Local History Beyond Genealogy

The local histories of the Mojave have much more than dates and names; they paint a distinct picture of desert life: Food and Cooking Habits: The early residents adapted their cuisine to the harsh desert environment, making use of indigenous plants such as mesquite and yucca, animals, and crops resistant to drought. These habits depict the resourcefulness and skills of the individuals living there.

Mining and Economic Development:

Mojave’s history is directly related to mining. It began with the 1800s gold rush and continued with borax mining. Rhyolite, Calico, and Boron towns came and went depending on the success of their mines, leaving behind ghost towns and abandoned industrial infrastructure. Transportation and Railroads: The Mojave was also significant in the development of railroads and highways for transportation, being a point where individuals traveling west intersected. The Southern Pacific, Santa Fe, and Union Pacific railroads revolutionized the desert landscape and linked its cities to the economy. Cultural Arts and Traditions: The desert’s remoteness spawned distinctive art forms, including music and legends of Native American tribes and creations of modern artists inspired by the Mojave’s minimalist beauty.

Joshua Tree has emerged as a cultural center for musicians and artists. Consequences of National Events: National events impacted the Mojave in different ways through wars, economic recessions, and periods of national expansion. World War II, for instance, resulted in the creation of military bases in the region, such as the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, that reshaped local populations and economies.

Broader Consequences of Local Political Culture

The Mojave’s local histories show how its political culture shaped wider trends. Such issues as land use, water rights, and conservation in the Mojave Desert are good lessons about how far local decisions can have huge implications. The fight over resources such as the Colorado River and controversy over public lands show why one should study local conditions in relation to national and international issues.

Briefly stated, local and regional histories of the Mojave Desert are more than a collection of ancient myths; they are a window into the diverse forces-geographic, economic, cultural, and political-that have shaped this legendary place. Through the lens of local history, we can see how seemingly remote desert places are connected to larger patterns of human history and experience.

Summary

The Mojave Desert’s local history offers insights into its unique culture, economy, and environment. It intertwines genealogy with stories of settlers, miners, and Native American communities. Local accounts highlight foodways, mining, railroads, and artistic traditions shaped by the desert’s geography. Broader events, like wars and economic shifts, impacted the region in distinctive ways. Political battles over water and land use reveal its national significance. These histories illuminate the Mojave’s enduring connection to human resilience and adaptation.

Desert Crossroads Kramer and Kramer Junction don’t look grand today, but these little nooks in the Mojave Desert have a rich and grand history replete with grand aspirations, tiring battles, and a whole lot of determination. Mining booms, railroads, and highways have scripted the life of the desert, and these little nooks have seen them all through.

How It All Started

The Southern Pacific Railroad in 1882 named Kramer in honor of German immigrant Moritz Kramer, who had settled in the area a little a few years earlier. Initially, Kramer was a single siding with nothing happening. All changed in 1884, when copper was discovered in the vicinity, and then in 1884, gold was discovered by J.R. Maxey.

Prospectors flocked to the area, and in hope of striking it rich, and in late 1884, the Kramer Mining District organized formally. Miners in the mining camp lived a rough life. There were no hotels and no permanent buildings, and visitors were instructed to bring a blanket with them. Thankfully, soon, the thrill wore off.

High shipping costs and a scarcity of water saw mining become too arduous, and most miners scattered in 1885, taking most of them with them.

The Mining Boom in Kramer Hills

A mere four miles southeast of Kramer Junction stands the Kramer Hills, and it saw its mining boom too. In 1926, two Herkelrath brothers, Ed and John, discovered gold, and a mining boom of epic dimensions defined the region ever since. A small mining settlement grew with a store, a library, and several hundred mining claims. Everyone flocked to try their luck. But just as then, realities of the desert won out. The gold was of poor grade, and water remained in short supply. By 1931, the boom collapsed, and the village lay dormant.

Today, quiet sits over the Kramer Hills, but they recall a time when humans hoped for gold’s promise. Kramer Junction: Where Highways Cross Kramer Junction, also known as “Four Corners,” sits at the crowded intersection of U.S. Route 395 and Route 58. It became a stop for travelers and for trucks rumbling through the desert. Roadside restaurants, service stops, and shops popped up to serve through-trekkers. There even was a Beecher-operated restaurant and a dream of having the site renamed “Beechers Corner,” but in 1960, city leaders chose to stick with “Kramer Junction.” Though most pass through, a gateway to larger destinations is Kramer Junction. North will take you to Ridgecrest and Bishop. South will take through Victorville and down Cajon Pass. To head west, go to Boron, Mojave, and Tehachapi, and east to Barstow and beyond.

From a Stormy History to a Role Today

Kramer Junction over the years has become safer and easier for visitors to access. In 2020, a new development down an expressway ironed out traffic and upgraded security. This highway system is a big one for shipping goods through California and the country. It’s a big one for Central Valley farms, producing a big portion of America’s produce.

A Spot with a History

Kramer and Kramer Junction don’t look like much today, but they’ve seen gold rushes, railroad expansion, and high-speed highways. What transpired in these locations is a history of people arriving in the desert with big dreams and working tirelessly to carve out something out of nothing. Today, these places remind us that in even the most subdued corners, there can be incredible tales that altered the surrounding world. Next time driving through, don’t forget to pay your respects to the people who inhabited this dusty crossroads at one point in time.

In 1604, a Spanish explorer, Juan de Oñate, embarked on an epic journey to explore America’s western region, present-day America, in modern terms. On his journey, he became the first European to encounter the Native Americans, specifically the Mohave Indians, who lived near the Colorado River in the Mojave Desert, a region that we use today.

The sole purpose of Oñate’s journey was discovering a path to the “Sea of the South,” nowadays’ Pacific Ocean. He hoped that it could lead to new trading avenues and routes. Even though he failed to discover the ocean, much about the Mohave tribe, he discovered. The Mohave were seasoned farmers who cultivated such crops such as squash, beans, and corn in and around the river, and they played a key role in trading between disparate Southwest Native American communities. The beginning of encounters between Europeans and Native Americans, initiated with, saw numerous future encounters between them, with some peaceful, but many encountering obstacles and rivalry as well.

For the Mohave, it was only the beginning of drastic changes that started with even more Europeans arriving in years to come.

1600s

• 1604: Juan de Oñate becomes the first European to meet the Mohave Indians while searching for the “Southern Sea.”

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1700s

• 1772: The first white men to see the San Bernardino Mountains are deserting Spanish soldiers from the San Diego Mission, pursued by Captain Pedro Fages. Fages leads an expedition along the Mojave’s edge, searching for deserters.
• 1774: Juan Bautista de Anza’s expedition becomes the first encounter between Europeans and the Cahuilla while searching for a trade route between Sonora, Mexico, and Monterey, California.
  • The Cahuilla, living far inland, had little contact with Spanish soldiers or priests, as the Spanish viewed the desert as barren and undesirable. They learned about mission life from nearby tribes near Mission San Gabriel and San Diego.
• 1776: Spanish explorers travel through southern Nevada. Friar Francisco Garcés becomes the first Caucasian to cross the desert.
• 1781: Yumas close the land route to white settlers.

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1800s

• 1810 (May 20): Padre Francisco Dumetz names San Bernardino Valley on the feast day of St. Bernardine of Siena. Politana, a mission chapel and supply station, is established.
• 1811: The Cahuilla, along with the Serrano, Gabrielino, and Yuma tribes, revolt against the missions.
• 1812: Repeated earthquakes shake the region, leading to an Indian uprising. Politana is destroyed by Serrano Indians.
• 1819: Fr. Joaquin Pasqual Nuñez joins a punitive expedition against the Mojave (Amajaba) Indians. Several asistencias are also established nearby.
• 1826: Jedediah Smith explores a route across the Mojave from the Colorado River to San Bernardino.
• 1827: Jedediah Smith returns to the Mojave villages but is attacked by the Mojave; ten of his men are killed.
• 1829: Antonio Armijo and 60 men travel from Abiquiú, New Mexico, to California, establishing the Old Spanish Trail route and arriving in San Gabriel in January 1830.
  • San Bernardino Asistencia, a permanent outpost of Mission San Gabriel, is constructed.
  • Rafael Rivera becomes the first European to explore Las Vegas Valley.
• 1830: George Yount and William Wolfskill, with 20 men, arrive in California via the Mojave after a harsh journey.
• 1831: New Mexican traders, including Antonio Santi-Estevan and others, bring wool to California, trading it for horses and livestock.
• 1832: Friar Cabot of Mission San Miguel reports increased trade and theft of horses by New Mexicans.
• 1833: Juan de Jesus Villalpando leads an expedition to California; José Avieta and 125 men arrive in Los Angeles with serapes for trade.
• 1834: Mission secularization begins, redistributing lands and herds. José Avieta and his men continue to trade and steal livestock.
• 1837: Jean Baptiste Chalifoux leads a party of 30 men to California, stealing 1,400–1,500 animals. José María Chávez flees New Mexico after a rebellion and settles in California.
• 1838: Lorenzo Trujillo and others from New Mexico become the first settlers in San Bernardino.
• 1839: José Antonio Salazar leads an expedition, returning to New Mexico with 2,500 animals.
• 1840: New Mexicans, including Tomás Salazar, continue trading and stealing livestock from California.
• 1841: The Rowland-Workman party, including immigrants, travels to California.
• 1842: Juan Antonio, leader of the Cahuilla Mountain Band, grants traveler Daniel Sexton access to areas near the San Gorgonio Pass.
• 1845: Chief Juan Antonio supports Mexican forces, attacking the Luiseño at Temecula, killing 33 to 100 people.
  • The Mountain Band also supports Lieutenant Edward Fitzgerald Beale’s U.S. Army expedition, defending it against Ute warrior Walkara and his band.
• 1846: The Mexican-American War begins. Miles Goodyear uses the Old Spanish Trail to trade hides.
• 1847: Kit Carson and Lt. George Brewerton use the trail to deliver messages during the war.
• 1848: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the war. Miles Goodyear drives 4,000 horses from California to Utah.
• 1849:
• The Bennett-Arcan party, while searching for gold, becomes stranded in Death Valley.
• On November 4, William Manly and John Rogers leave Death Valley to find help for the stranded party.
• The Lost 49ers, a portion of the Hunt Wagon Party, are the first Caucasians to cross Death Valley.
• Gold-seekers increasingly traverse the Mojave Desert, paving the way for trails that would become significant transportation routes.
• 1850: The Cahuilla revolt alongside the Yuma and Cocopa tribes at the Cupeño village in opposition to property taxes.
  • The California Gold Rush brings pressures from miners, ranchers, and settlers. Conflicts arise with the neighboring Cupeño tribe. Tribal leaders like Juan Antonio resort to attacks on settlers when treaties are not ratified.
• 1852: The California Senate refuses to ratify a treaty granting Cahuilla control over their lands.
• 1855: First gold is reported in Big Bear Valley.
• 1858: John Cook files the first mining claim in Big Bear Valley. Butterfield Overland Mail begins stage service through the Mojave.
• 1859: The Mojave Road is established, linking Fort Mojave to Los Angeles. Mining begins in Big Bear Valley.
• 1860: Southern California’s largest gold rush begins in Holcomb Valley.
• 1863: A devastating smallpox epidemic spreads through the Cahuilla population, allegedly caused by infected blankets distributed by white settlers.
• 1866: The Mojave Road is used as a mail route, with military outposts established.
• 1868: Copper is discovered in the Clark Mountain area by Johnny Moss.
• 1870: Gold, silver, and lead are rediscovered in the Coso Range. Mining activities increase in the Mojave Desert, with early exploration in the Calico Hills.
• 1874–1876: Southern Pacific Railroad connects San Francisco to Los Angeles, including the Tehachapi Loop.
• 1877: The government formalizes reservation boundaries, leaving the Cahuilla with only a small portion of their traditional lands.
  • One former village, Tekwite (Tikwit), near a natural hot spring, is converted into a railroad station, later becoming the modern-day town of Indio, California.

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1880s: Founding and Early Growth

• 1882: Southern Pacific Railroad extends a line from Mojave to the Colorado River; Daggett is established as a transportation hub.
• 1883: The Stone Hotel is constructed by Victor Van Briesen as a two-story building with thick stone walls and a glass dome.
• 1885: Seymour Alf purchases the hotel and begins operating Alf’s Railroad Eating House.
• 1888: The Calico Railroad is completed, transporting silver ore from Calico to Daggett; Daggett becomes a bustling town with 20 saloons and significant economic activity.

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1890s: Mining Boom and Infrastructure Development

• 1890: The Stone Hotel survives a fire but is significantly rebuilt with a central staircase and turret.
• 1893: Southern California Improvement Company begins work on the Daggett Ditch (Minneola Canal) for irrigation and hydroelectric power.
• 1894: Alf’s Blacksmith Shop is rebuilt after a fire; it continues crafting borax wagons.
• 1897: The Daggett and Borate Railroad replaces 20-mule teams, connecting borax mines in Mule Canyon to Daggett.
• 1898: The Southern California Improvement Company goes bankrupt; plans for the Minneola farming colony fail.

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1900s: Transition and Decline

• 1901: Theodore and Dix Van Dyke revive the Daggett Ditch project, irrigating 320 acres east of Daggett.
• 1907: The Daggett and Borate Railroad is decommissioned as borax operations move elsewhere.
• 1908: The Stone Hotel suffers another fire, leaving it as a single-story structure.
• 1909: Daggett begins losing prominence as Barstow develops into a major railroad hub.

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1910s-1940s: Daggett’s Role Diminishes

• 1912: Walter Alf moves Alf’s Blacksmith Shop to its current location.
• 1924: Minneola’s school district closes, marking the end of the settlement’s revival efforts.
• 1940s: During World War II, the Daggett Garage serves as a mess hall for soldiers guarding railroad bridges.

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1950s-1970s: Later Years

• 1950s: Fish are reported in the Daggett Ditch, still in use for limited irrigation.
• 1970: Walter Alf passes away, marking the end of Alf’s Blacksmith Shop as an active operation.
• 1970s: Interstate 40 bypasses Daggett, further reducing its economic activity.

The Oasis of Mara is located in what is now Joshua Tree National Park. It is a historical and cultural treasure. This green area in the desert has always been a place of refuge for animals, travelers, and local people because it has a sure supply of water and shade.

Native American Heritage
The Serrano people first lived in the oasis, which they named Mara. They thought it was a holy place. Their stories say that a medicine man told them to plant a palm tree for each boy born in the tribe. As time passed, the oasis became covered with many California fan palms, giving important shelter in the tough desert conditions.

Early Exploration and Settlers

This oasis was important for people who lived and traveled in the 19th century. There was water and a resting place for those crossing the desert. Later, miners and ranchers visited the area for water and natural resources. Settlers arrived, bringing non-native plants and changing the nature of the oasis.

20th Century and Preservation
As time passed, the Oasis of Mara became part of the Joshua Tree National Monument, a national park. This beautiful oasis has significant historical and cultural importance. Nowadays, the Joshua Tree Visitor Center at Twentynine Palms offers visitors the opportunity to view palm remains and learn about the area’s history and ecology.

The Oasis of Mara shows how strong and flexible the land and its people are. It also represents the close connection between humans and nature in the Mojave Desert.

(Oasis of Mara – c.1904 – colorized)

https://digital-desert.com/oasis-of-mara