Category: Articles

THE RICH MINES OF CALICO

A BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH OF CALICO

(From Calico Print, Vol. 1, No.1 July 12, 1882)

The Silver King Mining Co., Ltd. Mill 30 Stamps, Calico. The camp’s richest producer, photograph taken about 1883. The Silver King was named for John C. King, Sheriff of San Bernardino County from 1879 to 1882 and uncle of Walter Knott.

The first discovery of mineral made in this fabulously rich mining district was made some seven or eight years ago (1874-75) about three miles northerly from Grape Vine Station (now Barstow) and Waterman & Porter’s mill and about eight miles distant from the rich and extensive mineral belt which surrounds for miles in every direction the promising town of Calico. It was made by an eccentric old man by the name of Lee, who was, it is supposed, killed by Indians whilst on one of his solitary prospecting expeditions some three years ago in the vicinity of Old Woman Springs.

Lee first located on the property now owned by Waterman & Porter upon which they keep a fine ten-stamp mill and a large force of men in constant operation, the mill each day adding to the country’s wealth. This ledge was worked by Lee for a quicksilver mine, and the rich horn silver for which it is so famous was called by him “pencil lead,” he taking the’ native silver for particles of quicksilver. The work, having been abandoned for some two or three years consequent upon the death of Lee, Waterman, and Porter, being out in quest of mining properties, were shown the property by Mr. E. J. Miller, Recorder of the Grape Vine District.

Porter, being a practical miner, on his first visit, recognized the immense value of the property and immediately commenced making locations. This was in the fall of 1880. During that winter and in the spring of 1881, hundreds of locations were made in the immediate vicinity until not a red rock remains but what is well monumented.

Not until the spring of 1881 were there any discoveries made on Cal­ico Mountain. The first was made by Lowery Silver (elsewhere Silva), who is still a resident miner of the district, and was made a short distance north of where the town of Calico is now situated. The first work of any note that was done in what is now Calico District, but then the Grape Vine District (Calico having lately segregated), was some four miles northwesterly from the town on the Consolidated and Pico claims. In March or April last, our worthy under-sheriff, Tom Warden, together with Hues Thomas and others, discovered the wonder of the age, the great “King Mine,” the richest and biggest mine in the State of California.

After these discoveries many others were made and located, among which were the Oriental series by Messrs. Allison, Waldrip, Day and others and subsequently sold to Messrs. Earl & Garnett, of San Francisco. This splendid property, upon which a tramway and mill are soon to be built, is being rapidly developed under the superintendency of Judge James Walsh; while Sam James keeps his weather eye open upon the doings around the famous King Mine. During the fore part of July last the rich deposits of the Burning Moscow were located by J. B. Whitfield, John Peterson and Hieronymas Hartman. This mine is still in active operation, having produced some of the richest hornsilver ore ever found in camp.

Rich locations are still being made each day adding to the number, and the rich finds lately made in the eastern portion of the district have given an impetus to prospecting.

One year ago where Calico now stands there was not a single house, and on Wall street but one camp (Allison’s) and James Parker and Ellie Miller were the sole inhabitants, on the Fourth of July last, and not until Sam James and his party arrived a few days afterward to commence operations on the King Mine was there any show of activity. If one year has made so decided a change what may we not expect during the next 12 months: From present appearances we hazard. the opinion that e’er another year shall have rolled around that our little wooden village will have given place to an active, busy, bustling mining town, second to none in this or any other State or Territory. Surely the richness and number of our mines demand it.

What is Borax?

https://mojavedesert.net/glossary/borax.html

Introduction:

Borax, also known as sodium borate or sodium tetraborate, is a versatile compound with various applications across different industries. This overview outlines borax, its chemical composition, properties, and uses in various fields.

Chemical Composition:

Borax is an inorganic compound comprising sodium, boron, oxygen, and water molecules. Its chemical formula is Na2B4O7·10H2O, indicating that each unit of borax contains two sodium atoms (Na), four boron atoms (B), seven oxygen atoms (O), and ten water molecules (H2O).

Physical Properties:

Borax appears as a white, crystalline powder or granules, which are odorless and tasteless. It is soluble in water, and its solubility increases with temperature. Borax has a melting point of approximately 743°C (1369°F) and a boiling point of around 1575°C (2877°F).

Uses:

1. Cleaning and Laundry:

Borax is widely used as a cleaning agent due to its alkaline nature and ability to dissolve grease and dirt. It can be found in many household cleaning products, such as laundry detergents, dish soap, and multipurpose cleaners. Additionally, borax is an effective stain remover and can tackle stubborn stains on clothes and carpets.

2. Pest Control:

Borax is commonly used as an insecticide and a natural pest control agent. Due to its abrasive properties, it can be used to eliminate pests like ants, cockroaches, and silverfish. By disrupting their exoskeletons, borax causes dehydration and eventually leads to their demise.

3. Flame Retardant:

In the textile industry, borax is used as a flame retardant. It can be added to fabrics and materials to reduce flammability, making them safer in fire accidents. Borax releases water molecules when exposed to high temperatures, slowing flame spread.

4. Metallurgy:

Borax has applications in metallurgy, particularly soldering and welding. It acts as a flux, facilitating the removal of oxide layers from metal surfaces, ensuring better soldering or welding material adhesion. Borax also prevents oxidation during soldering or welding.

5. Ceramic and Glass Production:

Borax is an essential ingredient in the production of ceramics and glass. It acts as a flux, reducing the melting point of materials and aiding in the fusion of different components. Borax also improves the durability and strength of ceramics and glass products.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, borax is a versatile compound with numerous applications in various industries. Its chemical composition, physical properties, and unique characteristics make it a valuable ingredient in cleaning products, pest control, flame retardants, metallurgy, and ceramic and glass production. Understanding the uses and properties of borax can provide insights into its importance and contribute to its effective and safe application in different fields.

Old Woman Meteorite

The Old Woman, California, IIAB iron meteorite
Howard PLOTKIN, Roy S. CLARKE, JR., Timothy J. Mc COY,
and Catherine M. CORRIGAN
Department of Mineral Sciences, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, P.O. Box 37012,
Washington, DC 20013-7012, USA

Summary

PAGE 1

DISCOVERY OF THE METEORITE

  • Two prospectors found a large dark-colored rock in the Old Woman Mountains in March 1976. They were sure it was a meteorite because they had seen pictures of them in school and museums.
  • The two prospectors and Jack Harwood tried to figure out what to do with their ”Lucky Nugget” find but lacked the funds needed to hire a helicopter.
  • They sent a small chip to the Griffith Observatory, but the curator did not detect nickel and concluded that the specimen was not meteoritic.

PAGE 2

  • Friberg sent a letter to the Smithsonian asking for a value scale for a meteorite, and on August 27, they requested a fragment be sent to them for study. On September 10, they received a reply saying that they would like to conduct an on-site investigation.

TRIP TO THE OLD WOMAN MOUNTAINS

  • Clarke arranged with Friberg to investigate the meteorite near Twentynine Palms, California. He visited the administrative office of the nearby Joshua Tree National Monument to inform officials of his visit and get their permission to go into the field.

PAGE 3

  • Clarke, Friberg, and Harwood traveled to the meteorite site in a 1949 four-wheel drive Power Wagon and hiked up the mountain to reach the meteorite. Clarke took several measurements and photographs, and the group left the meteorite at 5:40.
  • Clarke suspected the meteorite was on federal land and visited the Riverside BLM office on September 23 and 24. He suggested returning to the site with Friberg and BLM officials to determine its location.
  • Clarke went to the BLM office early in the morning and was picked up by a helicopter. They flew to the agreed-upon rendezvous point but found no one there and then flew to the Old Woman Mountains, where Clarke led them to the meteorite.
  • On October 1, Gerald Hillier wrote to Friberg to inform him that the meteorite was located on national resource lands and was, therefore, subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Government. Friberg went to see a lawyer the same day Clarke wrote this letter.

THE QUESTION OF THE METEORITE’S OWNERSHIP

  • The ownership of meteorites has often been controversial, with the Iowa Supreme Court upholding the landowner Goddard over the finder Winchell and the Oregon Supreme Court upholding the landowner Oregon Iron Company over the finder Hughes.
  • The finders of a meteorite filed a placer mining claim on the land where it was situated. Still, they were notified by the District Manager of the Riverside BLM that meteorites are not locatable since they do not constitute a valuable mineral deposit.

PAGE 4

  • A Smithsonian Curator was told that a meteorite found by Japanese-Americans interned on federal lands in the Utah desert was not subject to mining laws and would be transferred to the Smithsonian Institution under the Antiquities Act.
  • The Smithsonian was granted ownership of the meteorite under the powers of the Antiquities Act, which allowed scientific and educational institutions to gather objects of historic or scientific interest on federal lands.
  • The Antiquities Act granted the three secretaries jurisdiction over objects of historic or scientific interest. It stipulated that all permits granted by the secretaries ”shall be referred to the Smithsonian Institution for recommendation”. The Old Woman meteorite fell under this jurisdiction.

PAGE 5

  • The Smithsonian wanted to transfer the Old Woman meteorite to the National Meteorite Collection. Still, the decision was under heavy fire from lawyers representing the finders and John Wasson, a professor of geochemistry and chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles.
  • In mid-November, Wasson wrote Clarke and the two California senators, requesting their help keeping the meteorite in southern California. Wasson pointed out that Californians had recently ”lost” the Goose Lake meteorite to the Smithsonian and that the main question was political rather than legal.
  • On December 21, the Director of Administrative Services granted Secretary Ripley’s request to recover the Old Woman Mountains meteorite and transfer it to the Smithsonian Institution.
  • The Smithsonian wanted to transport a meteorite from the mountainside to Washington by helicopter. Still, the Secretary of Defense denied their request, saying they did not utilize military transport when commercial carriers were available.
  • Barry Goldwater and Secretary Ripley wrote to the new Secretary of Defense, Harold Brown, requesting military assistance to remove a meteorite from a mountain. The Marines were authorized to remove the meteorite on June 17.

REMOVAL OF THE METEORITE FROM THE MOUNTAIN

  • Clarke arrived back in California on June 13, 1977, spent the next few days at the Riverside BLM office, and moved to Needles the next day to observe the lift.

PAGE 6

  • A Marine helicopter support team moved a meteorite wedged between two boulders, and a Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 dropped a 25 m cable down to the Marines, who attached it to the meteorite and gently set it down on a desert road 19 km away.
  • More than 40 representatives of local and national news media, press members, Marines, the meteorite’s three finders, and Wasson were present at the event, and opposing views about the meteorite’s ownership and disposition were strongly voiced.
  • The Old Woman meteorite was taken off the truck and weighed; it was the second-largest meteorite ever found in the United States. Its exposed upper surface was pitted, reminiscent of regmaglypts, and the bottom surface exhibited a thin, irregular coating of caliche.

PAGE 7

THE DISPUTE MOVES TO THE COURTS

  • Removing the meteorite from the Old Woman Mountains only intensified the battle over it. The Smithsonian acquired the meteorite on June 24 while still displayed in California.
  • The Old Woman meteorite had become a cause celebre and was displayed for an additional week at the BLM Riverside office afterwards, it was moved to the San Bernardino County Museum and the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History.
  • The two discoverers took the matter to court, arguing they owned the meteorite based on their mining claim. The judge denied the temporary restraining order.
  • The Smithsonian was under increasing pressure to keep the meteorite in California. The Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History requested that the Smithsonian cede all presumed titles to the meteorite to their museum.

PAGE 8

  • Pressure was also brought to bear upon Cecil Andrus, the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, to allow the Meteorite to go on permanent display in the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History.
  • The California Congressional Delegation urged Ripley to speed up arrangements for the meteorite’s permanent display in California. Ripley assured them that a portion of the meteorite would be sent to an appropriate museum in California.
  • Ripley clarified the Smithsonian’s position, pointing out the museum’s long involvement with meteorites and its extensive usage by the national and international scientific community. He assured Wasson that a replica of the meteorite would be sent to an appropriate California museum.
  • The San Bernardino County Museum and the State of California filed a lawsuit on July 20, 1977, against the BLM, the Department of the Interior, Secretary Ripley, et al., seeking a preliminary injunction against removing the meteorite from California.
  • When the matter was before the court, the San Bernardino County Museum requested that the Old Woman meteorite remain in California with an appropriate museum or scientific institution.
  • The Smithsonian received welcome news from the Department of Justice attorney representing the defendants in the Old Woman Mountains meteorite lawsuit.
  • Combined with strong protests from California, Judge Whelan’s ruling quickly prompted Interior Secretary Andrus to grant custody of the Old Woman Meteorite to the state where it was found, turning down a bid by his agency to haul it back to Washington for display.

PAGE 9

  • Andrus’s decision served as a game-changer because it allowed the Smithsonian to transfer the right and title to the meteorite to the museum and allowed the museum to offer to ship the main mass of the meteorite to a California museum after its scientific study.
  • In the weeks that followed, the court-ordered settlement discussions took place. The Smithsonian agreed to a consent decree with the State of California that the United States would negotiate for long-term display of the Old Woman meteorite there.
  • The Department of the Interior supported the Smithsonian’s plan to bring the meteorite to Washington for scientific analysis, but asked that its display and scientific value not be diminished.
  • Attorneys from the three parties met again on October 17, and agreed to a five-member committee that would make the final decision on what cutting, if any, would be done on the meteorite.
  • The California attorneys called for the establishment of a Joint Powers Agreement, under which a three-member committee would investigate the possibility of displaying the meteorite in a museum in California.
  • Judge Whelan denied the State of California’s and San Bernardino County Museum’s motions for preliminary injunction against removal of a meteorite from California and title to it, and vacated and set aside the temporary restraining order to keep the meteorite in California.
  • The Smithsonian met with members of Congress’s staff in January and February of 1978 to explain their plan to send a meteorite from California to Washington for study. The meteorite arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History on March 8, 1978.

PAGE 10

  • The Smithsonian asked Senator Cranston’s staff to help select a museum for the meteorite, and the staff recommended the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History.
  • Two other problems soon arose, the San Bernardino County Museum appealed Judge Whelan’s ruling, and John Wasson again stepped forward, claiming that the Smithsonian intended to remove a slice of the meteorite for its study, and that this would seriously detract from the exhibit value of the main mass.
  • Wasson urged that letters be written to Secretaries Andrus and Ripley requesting that no cutting of the meteorite be carried out until the Smithsonian submitted detailed plans, prepared a position paper comparing the scientific and exhibit-related pros and cons of its proposed plan, and invited comments from several curators and iron meteorite researchers.

DEBATE OVER THE CUTTING OF THE METEORITE

  • Clarke sent a letter to 19 individuals in September 1978 asking their views on how the Old Woman meteorite should be studied.
  • Wasson responded to Clarke’s letter by asking the recipients to provide him with a copy of their response to confirm that the amount to be removed seems reasonable from the viewpoint of Californians.
  • Responses to Clarke’s letter were generally favorable to the Smithsonian’s position, with Vagn Buchwald pointing out that Old Woman appeared to be transitional between group IIA and IIB meteorites and that a large cut and polished surface of Old Woman would provide unique data.

PAGE 11

  • The injunction against cutting the meteorite was denied in 1978 and again in 1979, opening the way for its scientific study.
  • Cutting began a week later, on May 29, and the first piece was removed on June 5. It was ground, polished, and etched, and Clarke commented that a major cut was essential.

PAGE 12

THE METEORITE’S RETURN TO CALIFORNIA

  • Although the injunctions against cutting the meteorite were still before the court, the Smithsonian tried to finalize loan arrangements with the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History. Still, the acting director expressed his ”significant objection” to the Smithsonian’s plan to cut the meteorite.
  • In January 1980, the San Bernardino County Museum and the State of California claimed ownership of the Old Woman meteorite. Still, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit dismissed their claims.

METALLOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE OF THE OLD WOMAN METEORITE

  • Old Woman is a highly unusual iron meteorite with two structural types, and the metallographic study of the large slice provides invaluable insights into its formation.
  • The 427.3 kg butt end was divided into a 207 kg butt end and a 174 kg research slice. The research slice was subdivided, producing a thinner complete slice and a partial slice again extensively subsampled. The Old Woman meteorite is a polycrystalline mass with a strongly bimodal distribution. Seven large grains comprise 85% of the surface area and comprise the hexahedral structure within the meteorite.

PAGE 14

  • Within the larger grains of kamacite, the only Fe,Ni metallic phase identified, are schreibersite chains that can reach several cm in length. These schreibersites often exhibit embayments or skeletal morphologies, and are similar to the ungrouped, low-Ni iron Zacatecas (1792) (Buchwald 1975). Throughout the large kamacite regions, small schreibersites are common. Carbide and graphite are extremely rare, although we did find one schreibersite inclusion rimmed by graphite and Fe metal.
  • The entire primary structure is extensive shock modification, including shock melting of troilite-daubreelite-schreibersite inclusions, Neumann banding, and formation of subgrain boundaries within kamacite. A heat-altered zone up to several mm in thickness was observed on sections of the meteorites.
  • Old Woman is a low-Ni, low-P member of group IIAB, with a bulk Ni concentration of 5.86 wt% (5.59 at%), 0.30 wt% P (0.56 at%), and 0.49 wt% Co. Trace element analyses reveal a composition intermediate in the range of IIAB irons.

PAGE 15

  • The Widmanstatten structure in iron meteorites was reviewed by Yang and Goldstein (2005), who proposed three mechanisms for their formation. Old Woman is on the boundary between massive transformation and mechanism V and only slightly below the field for mechanism III in P.
  • Old Woman is not unprecedented in having a bimodal structure, with hexahedral and coarsest octahedral structures evolving in the same mass. This structure is thought to be due to nucleation of austenite crystals on sulfide inclusions.
  • Old Woman could have evolved via the c fi a2 + c fi a + c (mechanism V) or c fi (a + c) fi a + c +ph (mechanism III) pathways into its present polycrystalline state.
  • Old Woman is a hexahedral ferromagnetic iron with abundant schreibersite. It may have formed through the c fi (a + c) fi a + c +ph fi a + ph pathway, which was described by Yang and Goldstein (2005).

PAGE 17

  • Old Woman’s diverse structure may be due to several mechanisms within a single mass, suggesting that further study may yield additional insights.

CONCLUSIONS

  • Old Woman, the largest meteorite in the National Collection of Meteorites, contains transitional textural types that were previously classified as three distinct meteorites. It is now known that these textures are the result of unique combinations of chemistry, nucleation, and cooling history.
  • The authors thank Tim Rose, Pam Henson and Brian Daniels, the Office of the Smithsonian Institution Archives, George S. Robinson, Nicole Lunning, Katrina Jackson, Ed Scott and Ursula Marvin, and the Edward P. and Rebecca Rogers Henderson Endowment for travel and research funding.

PAGE 18

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

  • Marcy Dunn Ramsey’s pencil sketches of the Old Woman meteorite are shown in Fig. S1. The maximum dimension of the meteorite is in the range of 0.8 to 1.0 m.
  • Fig. S2 shows pencil sketches of the find site of the Old Woman meteorite, a deeply pitted iron meteorite that is approximately 1 m across.

Exploring Ludlow’s History

https://digital-desert.com/ludlow-ca/

Introduction:

Ludlow, California, a small unincorporated town along Route 66, has a fascinating history stretching back to the late 19th century. Looking into Ludlow’s captivating past sheds light on its significant role in California’s development and the nation.

Early Settlement:

Ludlow’s story began in the 1870s when it served as a crucial railway stop along the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad. The town was named Ludlow in honor of William Ludlow, a prominent railroad engineer. Ludlow’s establishment facilitated transportation and trade in the region.

Mining Boom:

Ludlow experienced a significant boom during the early 1900s, primarily due to the discovery of rich mineral deposits in nearby mines. Gold, silver, and copper mining became the backbone of Ludlow’s economy, attracting miners and prospectors from far and wide. The town flourished with the opening of several mines, leading to a surge in population and the establishment of essential amenities such as schools, saloons, and general stores.

The Birth of Route 66:

In 1926, Route 66 connected Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. Structurally located along this iconic highway, Ludlow became a popular pit stop for travelers, providing essential services and accommodations. The construction of Route 66 brought increased prosperity to Ludlow, as it became a hub for tourists and truckers alike.

The Rise and Fall:

Ludlow continued to thrive throughout the mid-20th century, with gas stations, cafes, and motels catering to the needs of travelers along Route 66. However, the town’s fortunes took a downturn with the opening of Interstate 40 in the 1970s, which bypassed Ludlow, diverting traffic away from the once-thriving town. As a result, Ludlow gradually declined, with many businesses closing their doors.

Preservation and Revitalization:

Despite its decline, Ludlow still bears witness to its storied past. Today, it reminds us of Route 66’s golden age, with several historic buildings still standing. Efforts are underway to preserve and restore these structures, allowing visitors to glimpse Ludlow’s vibrant past. The town has also become popular with photographers and history enthusiasts, who appreciate its authentic charm and nostalgic appeal.

Conclusion:

Ludlow, California, has a rich history as a railway stop, mining boomtown, and a prominent pit stop along Route 66. While the town has experienced its fair share of challenges, its historical significance and unique character make it a place worth exploring for anyone interested in California’s past. Ludlow is an enduring legacy of the Old West and the indomitable spirit of the communities that shaped the American landscape.

Rainbow Basin

/rainbow-basin/

Rainbow Basin is a unique geological formation in the Mojave Desert in California, United States. Spanning over 1,800 acres, this breathtaking landscape is known for its vibrant colors and fascinating rock formations.

The basin gets its name from the colorful layers of sedimentary rock that are exposed on the surface, creating a stunning visual display. These layers were formed over millions of years due to various geological processes, including the deposition of sediments, erosion, and the uplifting of the Earth’s crust.

One of the main attractions of Rainbow Basin is its diverse range of colors. The rocks here display shades of red, orange, yellow, green, and purple, creating a natural rainbow-like effect. This vibrant palette results from the minerals in the rocks, such as iron oxides, manganese, and copper.

The unique rock formations in Rainbow Basin are also breathtaking. Their intricate shapes and patterns provide a fascinating glimpse into geological history.

Aside from its geological wonders, Rainbow Basin is also home to various plant and animal species. Desert vegetation thrives in this arid environment, with cacti, shrubs, and wildflowers dotting the landscape. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot animals like the desert tortoise, jackrabbits, and various bird species.

Exploring Rainbow Basin is a treat for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The area offers several hiking trails that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the desert’s beauty.

Visitors to Rainbow Basin should come prepared with water, sunscreen, and sturdy footwear, as the desert environment can be harsh. It is also important to respect the fragile ecosystem and follow any posted regulations to preserve this unique natural wonder.

In conclusion, Rainbow Basin is a mesmerizing destination showcasing nature’s wonders. With its vibrant colors, stunning rock formations, and diverse wildlife, it offers a truly unforgettable experience for those who venture into the Mojave Desert. Whether you are a geology enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking a unique outdoor adventure, Rainbow Basin is a must-visit destination.

Willow Beach

/willow-beach/

Willow Beach is a picturesque destination located on the shores of Lake Mojave. Situated in the Mojave Desert, this serene location offers visitors a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

One of the main attractions of Willow Beach is its stunning natural beauty. The crystal-clear waters of Lake Mojave provide the perfect backdrop for a variety of outdoor activities. Whether you’re interested in fishing, boating, or simply relaxing on the beach, you’ll find plenty to do in this idyllic setting.

Fishing enthusiasts will be delighted that Willow Beach is known for its excellent trout fishing. The lake’s stocked rainbow trout provide a thrilling challenge for anglers of all skill levels. With the picturesque surroundings and the thrill of the catch, fishing at Willow Beach is an experience like no other.

For those who prefer to explore the lake by boat, Willow Beach offers boat rentals and a marina. Whether you’re interested in cruising along the shoreline or venturing further into the lake, you’ll have the opportunity to take in the breathtaking views and maybe even spot some wildlife.

If you’re looking for a more leisurely experience, you can relax on the sandy shores of Willow Beach. The beach offers picnic tables and shaded areas, making it the perfect spot for a family outing or a romantic picnic by the lake.

In addition to its natural beauty, Willow Beach also offers amenities for visitors. There is a visitor center where you can learn more about the area and its history. Additionally, there are restroom facilities and a store where you can purchase fishing supplies, snacks, and souvenirs.

Willow Beach on Lake Mohave is a captivating destination offering visitors various activities and amenities. Whether you’re an avid angler, a boating enthusiast, or simply seeking a peaceful nature retreat, Willow Beach will surely leave you with lasting memories of its serene beauty.

Room 8

The Mystery of Room 8 . . .

Room 8 – Kelso Depot

The waitresses of Kelso Depot were disappearing from their quarters in Room 8. One by one, during the dark of night, these young ladies would vanish without a trace or clue as to whatever may have happened to these delicate, polite, and refined maidens.

Upper floor on the left; Room 8

Many felt it was a curse, that possibly the Kelso Depot was built on sacred ground, but there was never a shred of proof that there was either a graveyard or spell over this piece of the desert country.

New girls and fresh waitresses would be brought in to fill the void left by these temporal spirits who would remain employed by the Union Pacific until their inevitable disappearance.

Go to the light . . .

This went on long enough that a definite pattern was observed, and the mystery was solved:

The single women who worked here would become so lonely during their time that they would escape in the dark of night with the first gentleman who would elope with her and take her out of the desert.

At least, that’s what I heard happened.

Kelso Depot

Kelso, California

Mojave National Preserve

Union Pacific Railroad