Mojave History

13/10/2024

Stolen Horses

Hundreds and sometimes even thousands of stolen horses from the ranchos would burst through Coyote Canyon . . .

12/10/2024

Real Deal History

The Central Nevada Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of Nye & Esmeralda counties through our displays and research library made available to the public at the Central Nevada Museum in Tonopah, Nevada.

12/10/2024

Coolgardie Gold

11/10/2024

Horses & Buggys to ECars & Oafish SUVs

Horse-drawn to Automotive The transition from horse-drawn vehicles to automobiles in the Mojave Desert, much like in other parts of the United States and the world, marked a significant shift in transportation, lifestyle, and economic activities. This changeover happened primarily in the early 20th....

08/10/2024

05/10/2024

The story of the "Death Valley Germans" refers to a mysterious case involving a German family that went missing in Death Valley National Park in 1996. The family—comprising Egbert Rimkus (father, age 34), Cornelia Meyer (mother, age 27), and two children, 4-year-old Max and 10-year-old Georg—came to the U.S. on vacation and set out to explore Death Valley in July of that year. They rented a minivan and left Las Vegas for what was intended to be a brief visit to the park.

What makes the case strange is that the family was unprepared for the extreme summer conditions of Death Valley, which can easily reach temperatures over 120°F. They entered a very remote area of the park, far from common tourist destinations, with little food, water, or appropriate gear for such a harsh environment.

When they didn’t return as expected, a search began, but the rugged terrain and scorching heat made it difficult to locate them. The van was found abandoned at Anvil Canyon several months later. It had flat tires, and inside were some of their belongings, including a sleeping bag and their identification. However, there was no sign of the family.

For years, the mystery remained unsolved. Then, in 2009, hikers discovered human remains in a remote part of the park that were later identified as those of Egbert Rimkus and Cornelia Meyer. Their exact cause of death was never fully determined, but it is believed that they succumbed to the extreme heat and dehydration while trying to walk out of the desert. The children’s remains were never found, deepening the tragic nature of the story.

This case is a grim reminder of how dangerous and unforgiving Death Valley can be, especially during the hot summer months when even well-prepared travelers can find themselves in peril.

History of Anvil Springs and how it got its name

02/10/2024

Tropico - November 2000
https://digital-desert.com/a/tropico-gold-mine/

01/10/2024

Posts at San Bernardino
by Colonel Herbert M. Hart, USMC

The detailing of Company "C" of the Mormon Battalion to guard Cajon Pass in April 1847, had a more lasting effect than just cramping the Indian horse raids. When these men found that Brigham Young would permit them to establish a colony in California, the area below Cajon Pass came to mind.

Early in June 1851, a 150-wagon caravan of 500 Mormons reached a sycamore grove about 15 miles [south] of Cajon Pass, the site of the several camps which periodically were established to protect the pass. The Mormons stayed here while negotiating to buy the Rancho San Bernardino, 15 miles to the south. As soon as the $77,000 purchase was agreed upon, they started to build and plant although it was not until February 1852, that the final papers were registered.

29/09/2024

Adapted from:
Romantic Heritage of the Mojave River Valley - A Saga of Transportation and Desert Frontiers - (c)California Interstate Telephone Company. (Possibly by Burr Belden)

29/09/2024

TRUE STORY:
Lost in Death Valley before it became Death Valley!

Discover the harrowing journey of the Lost 49ers, pioneers who sought a shortcut across Death Valley during the 1849 Gold Rush, facing extreme desert conditions and survival challenges.

28/09/2024

Learn about Convict Lake in California's Sierra Nevada, its dramatic surroundings, and the 1871 prison break that led to its name.

27/09/2024

Tehachapi Loop

The Tehachapi Loop is a renowned engineering marvel that solved what was thought to be an unsolvable problem: how to build a railway through the rugged, steep terrain of the Tehachapi Mountains. Completed between 1874 and 1876, this section of track is famous for its spiral design, where the train loops over itself to climb the necessary elevation at a manageable 2.2% gradient. This allowed the trains to navigate the 77-foot elevation gain in a relatively short distance.

Tehachapi Loop information

26/09/2024

The Underground

As opposed to the greenery and flowing water of creeks and rivers of the Midwest, the dry Mojave River provoked a great deal of laughter between me and my siblings.

Opening a trade route across the Mojave Desert from New Mexico

25/09/2024

History - As Good as it Gets!
https://mojavedesert.net/people/george-yount.html

George Calvert Yount, pioneer settler in Napa County. Born in North Carolina in 1794, Yount was a trapper, rancher, and miller, he became grantee of the Rancho Caymus and La Jota. He died at Yountville in 1865.

What are the odds of a guy dying in a town with the same name as him? Wonders shall never cease.

Send a message to learn more

20/09/2024

These guys . . .

Victor Valley Developers Who was Penn Philips, Hesperia, Ca. Penn Phillips Penn Phillips was a real estate developer known for his work in various parts of the United States, including Hesperia, California. Born M. Penn Phillips, he was a prominent figure in the mid-20th century, recognized for deve...

19/09/2024

By EDMUND C. JAEGER
Curator of Plants
Riverside Municipal Museum
Desert Magazine, August, 1954

Old-timers aren't particularly excited about the promise-packed promotion scheme underway since April at the ghost town of Hesperia, California. It has happened before. Several times in the past 75 years, promoters with plans just as grandiose and newspaper advertisements even gaudier have tried in vain to bring the town back to life. But maybe this time the never-say die ghost on the California desert will make the grade. Edmund Jaeger recalls his unique introduction to Hesperia in 1918, his early botanizing trips there and the town's history since.

An history of Hesperia, California

18/09/2024

Hesperia, California -
Hesperia Hotel
https://digital-desert.com/hesperia-ca/hesperia-hotel.html

15/09/2024

Las Flores Ranch
https://digital-desert.com/las-flores-ranch/

The historic Las Flores Ranch is located in Summit Valley near Hesperia, California; its origins date back to the 19th century. It once belonged to the greater Rancho Las Flores, a Mexican land grant given to Jose Maria Lugo, a well-known Californio ranchero, in 1837. This grant covered much of what Summit Valley is today a strategic region due to natural resources and proximity to the Mojave River, which provided much-needed water for agriculture and livestock.

Information regarding the historic Las Flores Ranch in Summit Valley, near Hesperia, CA - Hwy 138

12/09/2024

This is the Rock Church in Bunkerville. It was built in the 1900s and burned down in 1920. It was also the second chapel in Bunkerville.

11/09/2024

Geography

Geography studies Earth's physical features, how humans interact with these spaces, and how cultures and biological systems fit into the landscape. Everything from mountains and rivers to cities and countries falls under this category. When referring to geography, one often considers what is on the surface and how all these features connect and influence each other.

Mojave Desert Map

10/09/2024

The Tragic Story of Olive & Maryann Oatman
https://digital-desert.com/blog/the-captivity-of-olive-oatman/

The story of Olive Oatman, a young girl who endured unimaginable hardships during her captivity among Native American tribes in the mid-19th century, has become an emblem of resilience and survival. This blog post delves into the gripping account of Olive Oatman’s captivity, shedding light on the challenges she faced and the strength she exhibited throughout her ordeal.

The Captivity of Olive Oatman A Harrowing Tale of Survival and Resilience Introduction The story of Olive Oatman, a young girl who endured unimaginable hardships during her captivity among Native American tribes in the mid-19th century, has become an emblem of resilience and survival. This blog post...

10/09/2024

I remember this place on the side of the freeway. I am sure Miles had a good thing going along Route 66 before the freeway came through. . .

Hula Ville After retiring as a ‘carny,’ or carnival worker at the Venice Pier and Santa Monica Pier, Miles Mahan (1896-1997) began building Hula Ville in 1955. Wine- and beer-bottle tree sculptures adorned Joshua trees and wooden posts. Desert sandblasted wood signs held poetry and prose; dolls,...

09/09/2024

Horsethief Canyon in Summit Valley, San Bernardino County, CA, is historically significant due to its use by horse thieves in the 1840s. They raided Californian ranchos, gathering horses and using the canyon's strategic terrain to evade capture. Located near the summit of Cajon Pass, with an elevation ranging from 3,800 to 3,123 feet, it provided an ideal hideout. Its history is also linked to the California Gold Rush era, adding to its legacy as a refuge for outlaws. Key routes like California State Routes 138 and 173 pass through this historically rich area.

Explore the historical significance of Horsethief Canyon in Summit Valley, a key site for horse raiders in the 1840s. Learn about its role in California's past and its present-day location within the Mojave Desert.