Near Red Mountain in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Historic Randsburg
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 6, 2011
1. Historic Randsburg Marker
Inscription.
Historic Randsburg. . Rand Camp began as a tent city, erected by eager miners who rushed to the Mojave Desert following a major gold discovery in April 1895. A year later, the town of 1,500 had been renamed "Randsburg." Saloons sprouted, a U.S. Post Office was established, and the community's first newspaper, "The Randsburg Miner," appeared. By 1900, Randsburg's 3,500 inhabitants had a "30 stamp" ore crusher, bank, churches and theaters. Railroad tracks soon connected the nearby town of Johannesburg to Kramer's Junction, some 25 miles to the south. At the turn of the century, when gold was worth only $12 to $16 an ounce, Randsburg's famous Yellow Aster Mine recovered $3 million in gold. In 1911, the take was $6 million. Most of the visible, or "free gold," in the Rand Mining District already had been found before world war two, when gold mines nationwide were classified as "non-essential" industries, and closed. Technological developments now over shadow earlier methods of extracting free gold from low-grade ores economically feasible. During boom and bust, fires and war, smallpox and influenza epidemics, Randsburg tenaciously has clung to life. It still does.
Rand Camp began as a tent city, erected by eager miners who rushed to the Mojave Desert following a major gold discovery in April 1895. A year later, the town of 1,500 had been renamed "Randsburg." Saloons sprouted, a U.S. Post Office was established, and the community's first newspaper, "The Randsburg Miner," appeared. By 1900, Randsburg's 3,500 inhabitants had a "30 stamp" ore crusher, bank, churches and theaters. Railroad tracks soon connected the nearby town of Johannesburg to Kramer's Junction, some 25 miles to the south. At the turn of the century, when gold was worth only $12 to $16 an ounce, Randsburg's famous Yellow Aster Mine recovered $3 million in gold. In 1911, the take was $6 million. Most of the visible, or "free gold," in the Rand Mining District already had been found before WWII, when gold mines nationwide were classified as "non-essential" industries, and closed. Technological developments now over shadow earlier methods of extracting free gold from low-grade ores economically feasible. During boom and bust, fires and war, smallpox and influenza epidemics, Randsburg tenaciously has clung to life. It still does.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Resources • Notable Places. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1895.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed.
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It was located near 35° 21.051′ N, 117° 37.904′ W. Marker was near Red Mountain, California, in Kern County. Marker was on Red Mountain Road, 0.8 miles west of U.S. 395, on the left when traveling west. Located at the end of an un-marked dirt road, at the top of a hill. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Randsburg CA 93554, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Three new markers have replaced the original markers. See: Other Nearby Markers.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 1,073 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on July 18, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 24, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 5. submitted on July 18, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
