Author: Axotl

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

John Daggett was born in Newark, New York, in May 1833. In 1852, at 19 years old, Daggett came to California.

His political life started early as a member of the California State Assembly in 1858. He became the Lieutenant Governor of California in 1882 and continued for quite some time between 1883 and 1887.

In addition to the politics, mining took Daggett seriously in California. In San Bernardino County, he was the holder of the Calico Mine, the most active site of silver mining, toward the turn of the 19th century.

Very close to his mines, several miles away, came a town named Daggett, and his importance could be measured as that person holding stakes in the site. He died on August 30, 1919, attaching a legacy associated with the mining and politics of California to his name.

Edward H. Harriman (1848–1909) was a powerful and influential figure in the railroad industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He played a pivotal role in shaping America’s transportation infrastructure and economy through his aggressive and visionary leadership. Here’s a quick overview:

Key Facts About Edward H. Harriman:

1. Railroad Tycoon: Harriman was known for his ability to turn struggling railroads into profitable ventures. He gained control of major railroads, including the Union Pacific Railroad and the Southern Pacific Railroad, creating one of the most extensive rail networks in the United States.
2. Visionary Reformer: Harriman didn’t just consolidate railroads; he modernized them. He invested heavily in improving infrastructure, laying stronger tracks, building more efficient locomotives, and standardizing operations to ensure reliability and profitability.
3. Business Tactics: He was a master of corporate strategy, using bold financial maneuvers to outcompete rivals. His tactics sometimes drew criticism for being ruthless, but they solidified his reputation as one of the great “railroad barons.”
4. Connection to Death Valley Scotty: Harriman’s name is linked to Death Valley Scotty because Scotty once claimed Harriman had invested in his mythical gold mine. There’s no evidence Harriman actually did, but Scotty frequently invoked Harriman’s name to bolster his credibility with other investors. It was part of Scotty’s knack for attaching himself to famous figures.
5. Legacy: Harriman’s influence extended beyond railroads. He was a philanthropist, supporting educational and scientific endeavors, including the famed Harriman Alaska Expedition in 1899, which was a major scientific and exploratory mission.

Edward H. Harriman’s legacy as a transformative force in the railroad industry lives on, and his association with larger-than-life figures like Death Valley Scotty adds a colorful footnote to his historical impact.

Landers is a small community in the Mojave Desert of California. It is noted for its desert vistas, unique landmarks, and significant historical events.

Giant Rock is a giant boulder. It is sometimes believed to be the world’s largest freestanding rock. It has connections with UFO enthusiasts and desert spirituality.

The Integratron is a dome-shaped structure built by George Van Tassel. Sacred shapes and Nikola Tesla inspired it. Today, people visit for sound baths and meditation.

1992 Landers Earthquake: A 7.3 magnitude earthquake brought widespread attention and damage to the area. Desert Lifestyle: Landers is remote, attracting artists, nature enthusiasts, and stargazers.

/landers-ca/

The Negro Motorist “Green Book” is commonly referred to as simply the Green Book. This book was an annual travel guide published from 1936 to 1966. Its founder conceived it to help African Americans navigate the difficulties of traveling during the era of segregation and Jim Crow laws.

Travelers, postal workers, and business owners helped create the listings, which made them trustworthy and extensive. The guide was organized by state and city, so finding safe places to stop while traveling was simple. It often included helpful tips for handling car problems or police encounters.

The Green Book was indispensable to Black travelers who wanted to visit their families, go on vacation, and conduct business safely and confidently. It also instilled a sense of community by mapping Black-owned businesses and furthering economic independence.

As the Civil Rights Movement grew stronger, the Green Book began promoting its goals through articles and ads encouraging people to be active and aware. When segregation laws were abolished by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the guide was no longer needed; thus, its last edition came out in 1966.

The Green Book has been remembered today as evidence of the strength and ingenuity of African Americans who refused to let systemic racism get in the way of their travels and aspirations. It inspired books, documentaries, and movies, including the 2018 movie Green Book. Copies of the guide are now historical artifacts in archives and museums, preserving for future generations evidence of the barriers of the past and the determination of those who broke them down to create a better, more inclusive future.

Here’s a breakdown of the categories listed:

• Intro: Likely provides an overview or introduction to the Mojave Desert.
• Nature: Focuses on the flora, fauna, and ecosystems within the Mojave Desert.
• Map: Offers maps of the region for navigation and exploration.
• Parks: Highlights national and state parks in the Mojave Desert, such as Joshua Tree and Death Valley.
• Points of Interest: Details significant landmarks, attractions, and natural features.
• Ghosts & Gold: Likely focuses on ghost towns, mining history, and legends tied to the Mojave Desert’s past.
• Communities: Covers towns and settlements within or around the Mojave Desert.
• Roads & Trails: Features routes for driving, hiking, or exploring the area.
• People & History: Discusses historical figures, indigenous communities, and the desert’s role in human history.
• BLOG: Includes articles, stories, or updates about the Mojave Desert.
• Weather: Provides information on the climate and current conditions in the desert.
• 😕: Unclear purpose; could be a placeholder or mystery section.
• Glossary: Defines terms or concepts related to the Mojave Desert.

Home
│
├── Intro
│ ├── Overview
│ ├── Importance of the Mojave
│ └── Quick Facts
│
├── Nature
│ ├── Flora
│ ├── Fauna
│ ├── Ecosystems
│ └── Conservation Efforts
│
├── Map
│ ├── Interactive Map
│ ├── Topographical Map
│ └── Downloadable Maps
│
├── Parks
│ ├── Joshua Tree National Park
│ ├── Death Valley National Park
│ ├── Mojave National Preserve
│ └── Regional Parks
│
├── Points of Interest
│ ├── Natural Landmarks
│ ├── Historical Sites
│ ├── Recreational Spots
│ └── Scenic Views
│
├── Ghosts & Gold
│ ├── Ghost Towns
│ ├── Mining History
│ ├── Legends & Stories
│ └── Famous Mines
│
├── Communities
│ ├── Major Towns
│ ├── Historical Settlements
│ ├── Indigenous Tribes
│ └── Current Demographics
│
├── Roads & Trails
│ ├── Historic Routes
│ ├── Driving Tours
│ ├── Hiking Trails
│ └── Off-Road Adventures
│
├── People & History
│ ├── Indigenous History
│ ├── Pioneers & Settlers
│ ├── Military & Exploration
│ └── Modern Developments
│
├── BLOG
│ ├── Featured Articles
│ ├── Travel Guides
│ ├── Local Stories
│ └── Event Updates
│
├── Weather
│ ├── Current Conditions
│ ├── Seasonal Trends
│ └── Climate Information
│
└── Glossary
├── Geographical Terms
├── Historical Terms
├── Cultural Terms
└── Natural Terms

Bringing together copies of available resource websites and pages into a centralized collection for human and natural history offers several advantages:

### 1. **Consolidated Access** – A unified resource eliminates the need to visit multiple websites, making research faster and more convenient. Users can find related information in one place without having to search across disparate platforms.

### 2. **Cross-Disciplinary Insights** – Combining resources from fields like anthropology, geology, paleontology, and history enables interdisciplinary connections that might not be apparent in isolated resources. This integration fosters a holistic understanding of the subject.

### 3. **Preservation of Information** – Hosting copies ensures that valuable information remains accessible even if the original websites are discontinued or become inaccessible. This acts as a safeguard against data loss.

### 4. **Improved Searchability** – A centralized platform can implement enhanced search tools and indexing, allowing users to locate specific information more efficiently than on individual, unstandardized websites.

### 5. **Standardization of Formats** – Public domain resources often vary in format and presentation. A unified collection can standardize data formats, making it easier to compare and analyze information across different sources.

### 6. **Customization for Specific Audiences** – A central repository can tailor content to suit different audiences, from academics to casual learners, by organizing material in ways that emphasize educational or thematic priorities.

### 7. **Enhanced Collaboration** – Researchers and educators can use a shared platform as a base for collaboration, sharing annotations, insights, and findings, which is harder to do across multiple websites.

### 8. **Resource Integration** – A unified site can integrate supplementary tools like interactive maps, timelines, and multimedia, enriching the learning experience. For instance, combining geological maps with human migration data can reveal new patterns and stories.

### 9. **Accessibility Enhancements** – Centralized resources can include accessibility features, such as translations, audio descriptions, and simplified summaries, making the content available to a broader audience.

### 10. **Contextual Connections** – Centralization makes it easier to present the interplay between natural and human history, such as how geological formations influenced ancient civilizations or migration patterns.

### 11. **Encouragement of Public Use** – With a well-organized and user-friendly interface, centralized collections can encourage public interest and education about topics like local history or environmental conservation.

### 12. **Efficiency for Educators and Students** – Teachers and learners can use a single, curated source for lesson planning, research projects, or presentations, saving time and providing a consistent reference point. In summary, centralizing public domain resources enriches usability, enhances learning, and ensures the preservation of important data, while also fostering an environment for interdisciplinary exploration and public engagement.

The digital-desert.com and mojavedesert.net sites share the same subject matter and similar structure, dealing with the Mojave Desert and surrounding regions. Both of them provide learning materials, exploration tools, and information on history.

Here are the main parts that make up both sites:

1. Natural History Geology: Rock formations, fissures in the earth (such as the San Andreas Fault), volcanic activity, and desert patterns. Lake systems (e.g., former Lake Manix and dry lakes such as Soda Lake).

Ecology: Plants and animals that live in desert environments include Joshua trees, creosote bushes, desert tortoises, and bighorn sheep. Habitats include sand dunes, salt flats, canyons, and oases.
Climate: Desert weather patterns include very hot temperatures, seasonal rain, and wind events.

2. Human History Native American Culture: Tribes such as the Mojave, Chemehuevi, Serrano and Paiute. Rock art, traditions, and trade routes such as the Old Mojave Trail. Explorers and Pioneers: Tales of explorers like Jedediah Smith, Kit Carson, and Father Garces. Principal routes: Mojave Road, Spanish Trail, and Butterfield Overland Mail. Mining History: Gold, silver, and borax mining expand rapidly. Specific mining towns and operations are Calico, Rhyolite, and Boron. Historic Places and Ghost Towns: Places like Kelso Depot, Ballarat, and Pioneer Town. Old abandoned buildings, stage stops, and rail history.

3. Geography and Exploration Areas and Landmarks: Joshua Tree National Park Death Valley Mojave National Preserve and Rainbow Basin. Special shapes such as the Devil’s Punchbowl, Afton Canyon, and sand hills. Streets and Roads: Route 66, Old Mojave Road, and gorgeous roads. Hiking and driving routes with maps and information. Interactive Maps: Topographic and historical maps depicting routes of exploration and other localities.

4. Cultural Characteristics Towns and Communities: Tales of desert towns such as Barstow, Victorville, Littlerock, and Needles. Key Players: The area called Death Valley housed early settlers and miners, even famous dudes like Roy Rogers. Art and Folklore: Desert-themed art installations, legends (e.g., ghost stories, lost mines) and folklore.

5. Learning and Information Photos and Pictures: Large photo galleries of desert landscapes, animals and abandoned places. Field Guides: Resources for identifying plants and animals. History Timelines: A summary of geological, prehistoric, and modern historical events. Resource Links: References to books, museums and archives for further research.

6. Fun Guides Camping and Hiking: Lists of campgrounds, remote places, and summaries of hiking trails.
Driving Tours: Ideas for a nice road trip with important places to see.
Safety and Preparation: Tips for desert exploration, including hydration, navigation, and safety around wildlife.

While digital-desert.com focuses on exploration and natural beauty through detailed guides and maps, mojavedesert.net often has a more structured historical narrative and cultural focus. Both sites are resources for desert enthusiasts, historians, and educators.

Describing areas outside the Mojave Desert is like connecting puzzle pieces to see the bigger picture. Here’s how it helps:

1. Contextualizing the Mojave
   By comparing the Mojave to nearby regions, you show how it fits into the broader landscape. Whether it’s geology, hydrology, or human history, deserts like the Great Basin, Sonoran, and Colorado are all connected. For example, understanding ancient lake systems or fault lines often requires looking at neighboring regions.
2. Highlighting Shared Processes
   Forces that shaped the Mojave—like plate tectonics, erosion, and hydrological changes—didn’t stop at its borders. Studying areas outside the Mojave can reveal patterns and processes that help explain its features. For instance, the formation of Lake Manix makes more sense when compared to similar systems in the Basin and Range.
3. Tracing Movement and Influence
   Human migration, animal movement, and water flow often cross regional boundaries. Exploring areas beyond the Mojave allows you to tell a more complete story. This is especially helpful for anthropological or archaeological studies—trade routes, trails, and cultural exchanges didn’t stay confined to one region.
4. Strengthening Comparisons and Contrasts
   Describing other regions helps highlight what makes the Mojave unique. For example, comparing the Mojave’s dry lakebeds to the wetter remnants of Lake Cahuilla in the Colorado Desert shows the diversity of ancient hydrological systems.
5. Providing a Broader Audience Appeal
   By linking the Mojave to surrounding areas, your project becomes more relevant to people interested in those neighboring landscapes. This makes the material more engaging and widely accessible.
6. Holistic Understanding
   Nature doesn’t recognize human-made borders. To truly understand the Mojave—its past, present, and future—it’s helpful to look at it as part of a larger ecological, geological, and cultural network.

To really understand the Mojave–its history, what it is now, what might become of it—viewing it in terms of a larger system, embracing nature, land features, and culture, is helpful. Alternatively, exploring areas out of the Mojave helps explain how this desert fits into a much larger story.

Ultimately, stepping beyond the Mojave’s boundaries allows you to provide depth and clarity, showing how this desert is part of a much bigger story.

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