The Open Spaces . . .

Those were the days of open-handed hospitality on the Mexican ranches. No introduction was necessary. People came and went on horseback, hung their saddles on pegs and their hats on the floor, and stayed as long as they liked.

Everywhere I stopped I was welcomed. The owner came in from the fields, knocked off work for the day, produced tequila, coffee, cigarettes, and sat down under the porch for a talk. The coffee- pot and bean-pot were always over the fire and in constant requisition. There was no great variety of food at the table, but the meats and vegetables were tastily cooked, and, if there were young girls in the family, there was singing, to the accompaniment of the guitar, during and after the dinner. When it came to retiring for the night, one simply dragged out a rawhide or canvas cot to whatever part of the premises he pleased, spread his blankets, and went to sleep listening to the dogs chasing coyotes.

The hospitality was very simple, whole-hearted, and very gratefully received because of its fine spirit.

John C. Van Dyke

Newberry Springs

Newberry Springs, California, is a small but historically notable town some 20 miles east-southeast of Barstow along the iconic Route 66. Its history is tied to the spread of the railroad, the journey of early migrants, and the precious water resources of the Mojave Desert.

The region initially became well-known when the Southern Pacific Railroad laid railway tracks through the area in 1883. The Watson post office was established at the point of railroad work on February 19 that year and was named for the initial postmaster, Josiah Watson. The post office did not last long, however, closing by July of the same year. The railway, in the meantime, had named its stop Newberry; so when the Watson post office was discontinued, this name de facto became the community’s accepted name. Throughout the years, the region underwent several renaming: in 1899, the post office briefly reopened as Newberry before it was closed afterward; in 1911, it was renamed Wagner in tribute to local resident and grocer Madge Wagner; and in 1919, it was once more renamed as Water, highlighting the great volumes of water—estimates are placed somewhere between 300,000 to 600,000 gallons daily—pumped out of the region for use by the Santa Fe Railroad. Later, in 1967, the name was formally altered to Newberry Springs.

The derivation of “Newberry” is contested. In a local myth, two Newberry brothers lived near the springs, one of whom died in a conflict over water rights. However, a more historically grounded theory suggests the area was named after Dr. J.S. Newberry, a physician on the 1857 expedition of Lt. Joseph C. Ives. Regardless of its actual origins, the name has remained, cementing Newberry Springs’ place in Mojave Desert history.

Newberry Springs has historically been appreciated for its reliable springs, which were important water sources for the early wagon trains and eventually the Santa Fe Railroad. Beyond its transport and water supply historical significance, Newberry Springs has also become well known for artificial ponds, utilized by sporting enthusiasts recreationally, and agricultural promise. The fertile ground in the area makes possible the growing of crops, fruit trees, and cattle ranching, demonstrating versatility beyond its previous transport role.

Another recognizable landmark in Newberry Springs is the Cliff House, situated on the historic Route 66. Though information on the Cliff House is scarce, it serves as a representation of the town’s significance at the peak of American automobile travel. Route 66, nicknamed the “Mother Road,” simplified travel from the Midwest to the West Coast, and Newberry Springs still has vestiges of the period. Vintage motels, service stations, and restaurants still dot the landscape, providing travelers with a glimpse of the roadside culture of the mid-20th century.

Along with its historical significance in transportation and farming, Newberry Springs also holds important archaeological significance. The nearby Newberry Cave is a prominent prehistoric site, containing carefully preserved rock art and artifacts that provide insightful knowledge about the area’s early inhabitants. Additionally, the natural features of the area, including volcanic formations and Troy Lake, contribute to its geological and ecological value.

Newberry Springs is a community that has been defined significantly by its history, geography, and the perpetual issue of water scarcity in the Mojave Desert. Evolving as a railroad stop and developing through the heyday of Route 66 and subsequent developments, this desert town is a fascinating piece of California’s extensive and rich history.

Newberry Springs

Tandem Website Configurations

Mojave Desert Net & Digital-Desert.com

Walter Feller, a retired engineering technician, has spent the past 30 years developing and expanding Digital-Desert.com and MojaveDesert.Net, two extensive resources dedicated to the history, geography, and natural beauty of the Mojave Desert. His work combines research, photography, and storytelling to document the region’s landscapes, historic sites, and ecological significance.

His dedication to preserving and sharing knowledge about the Mojave Desert through these platforms has made him a key figure in desert history documentation.

Introduction

The Mojave Desert is a sprawling, rugged terrain full of history, unusual geology, and varied ecosystems. Two valuable online resources, **MojaveDesert.net** and **Digital-Desert.com**, offer an extensive overview of this interesting region. With coverage ranging from national parks and wilderness areas to ghost towns, historic trails, and natural landmarks, the websites offer detailed guides for adventurers, historians, and nature lovers alike. Suppose you’re interested in desert wildlife and plants, mining history, native cultures, or points of interest. In that case, these websites provide detailed information, interactive maps, and beautiful photographs to make the Mojave tales come alive.

MojaveDesert.net is a comprehensive resource dedicated to the Mojave Desert, offering a variety of information about its geography, history, ecology, and more. The directory tree in the following is not complete but demonstrates While I don’t have access to a complete directory tree of the website, I can provide an overview of its main sections based on available information:

  • Home: Introduction to the Mojave Desert, featuring highlights and recent updates.
  • Geography: Details about the desert’s location, topography, and significant landmarks.
  • Flora and Fauna: Information on the plant and animal species native to the Mojave Desert.
  • History: Insights into the cultural and historical aspects of the region, including indigenous cultures, exploration, and settlement.
  • Ecology: Discussions on the desert’s ecosystems, climate, and environmental concerns.
  • Recreation: Guides and tips for activities such as hiking, camping, and sightseeing in the Mojave Desert.
  • Photo Gallery: A collection of images showcasing the desert’s landscapes, wildlife, and points of interest.
  • Resources: Additional materials like maps, articles, and external links for further exploration.

For a more detailed exploration of the website’s content, I recommend visiting MojaveDesert.net directly.

MojaveDesert.net is a resource covering the Mojave Desert’s geography, history, ecology, flora, fauna, and recreation. It includes sections on landmarks, indigenous cultures, exploration, environmental concerns, hiking, and photography. The site also offers maps, articles, and external resources.

Digital-Desert.COM

Digital-Desert.com is a comprehensive resource dedicated to the Mojave Desert, offering detailed information across various topics:

  • Nature: Explores the desert’s ecology, including its wildlife, plant life, geology, and climate.
  • Parks & Forests: Provides insights into national parks like Death Valley and Joshua Tree, as well as lesser-known state and county parks.
  • Wilderness Areas: Highlights regions preserved in their natural state, free from human impact.
  • Geology & Natural Formations: Discusses the majestic formations and mountain ranges found throughout the Mojave Desert.
  • Points of Interest: Features notable destinations and attractions within the desert.
  • Regional Map Guide: Offers an interactive map for navigating the Mojave Desert.
  • People & History: Delves into the histories of various groups and cultures associated with the Mojave, including influential figures and native cultures.
  • Roads and Trails: Covers historical and contemporary routes, as well as hiking trails and backroads.
  • Ghost Towns & Gold Mines: Examines abandoned communities and the mining history that once thrived in the region.
  • Communities: Profiles current towns and cities within the Mojave Desert.

The website also features sections on the Mojave River, historic roads and trails, craters and lava flows, petroglyphs, dunes, and dry lakes (playas). Additional resources include a blog, weather information, and a glossary.

digital-desert.com

For a more in-depth exploration, visit Digital-Desert.com.

summary

Digital-Desert.com is a comprehensive resource on the Mojave Desert, covering its nature, geology, history, and points of interest. It includes information on national parks, wilderness areas, ghost towns, gold mines, roads, trails, and regional communities. The site also features interactive maps, historical accounts, and details on wildlife, plant life, and natural formations.

description of these two websites combined

Conclusion

MojaveDesert.net and Digital-Desert.com are two extensive online resources dedicated to exploring the Mojave Desert’s rich history, geography, ecology, and cultural significance. Together, they provide a comprehensive look at the region’s national parks, wilderness areas, ghost towns, historic roads, and geological formations. These sites offer in-depth information on the desert’s plant and animal life, environmental concerns, indigenous cultures, mining history, and notable landmarks. Visitors can also find interactive maps, hiking guides, and photography collections that highlight the beauty and complexity of the Mojave Desert.

Crossroads at Elizabeth Lake

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

Mojave Phone Booth

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).

Mojave Phone Booth

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.

Evergreen & Deciduous Content

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.

Traction Engines

Traction engines were large, powerful, steam-powered machines capable of pulling heavy loads over terrain rather than tracks. They were used from the late 1850s to the mid-1900s to tow massive loads.

Few roads and rails were in the desert then, and folks hoped that machines could function better than horses and mules. What Were Traction Engines For?

Mining: Mines and mills scattered all over the Mojave Desert, and traction engines moved ore other cargo.

Borax: Perhaps you have heard “20-mule teams” hauling borax (a mineral in cleaners and such) out of Death Valley Someone once considered traction engines might haul it out faster. But the desert had other plans.

Desert Freighting: Traction engines also delivered food and provisions to places without a train.

Why Didn’t They Work So Well?

Water Problems: They were steam engines, and steam requires water. The Mojave Desert is hardly filled with water, so keeping the engines supplied with water over long distances wasn’t easy. Tough

Terrain: The desert’s soft sand and rock tracks proved challenging for heavy equipment to navigate. It was prone to breakdowns or getting stuck on these routes.

Tough to Fix: These complex engines require experienced people to operate them. If something went awry in the difficult and remote terrain, it was not simple to repair.

What Happened to Them? Traction engines didn’t survive long in the Mojave. They were more difficult to operate than mules, trucks, and trains. However, they remain significant in desert history. The machines demonstrated how people always attempted to discover better means of tackling difficult challenges.

Today, you can see old traction engines in museums or rusty ones along abandoned mining areas. They remind us of when people were ready to try new things, even if they did not always succeed.

Regional History Categories

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.

Regional Histories

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.

Johannesburg

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.

Willow Springs

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.

Wilsona Gardens

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.

Las Vegas

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.

Goffs Schoolhouse

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.

Eldorado Canyon

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.

The Story of Kramer Junction:

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.