Near Ridgecrest in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

William Henry "Burro" Schmidt

Photographed By Alan Price

1. William Henry "Burro" Schmidt Marker

Inscription. A Monument to
Determination and Perserverance
William Henry "Burro" Schmidt
Took thirty eight years to hand dig this
half-mile long tunnel--Completed in 1936

Born in Rhode Island, January 30, 1871
Died in Ridgecrest, Calif., January 27, 1954

Erected 1970 by E Clampus Vitus, Peter Lebeck Chapter 1866.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list.

Location. 35° 24.62′ N, 117° 52.55′ W. Marker is near Ridgecrest, California, in Kern County. Marker can be reached from Burro Schmidt Tunnel Road. Marker and tunnel are located approximately 33 miles south of the town of Ridgecrest. Four wheel drive recommended. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ridgecrest CA 93555, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Garlock (approx. 4.8 miles away); Red Rock Canyon State Park (approx. 6.8 miles away); Desert Spring (approx. 8.7 miles away); Josephine Stephens Bishop (approx. 10.4 miles away); Florence "Pancho" Barnes (approx. 10.8 miles away).

Also see . . .

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William "Burro" Schmidt and His Tunnel to Nowhere. A KCET - Los Angeles, Channel 28 article. Includes photos of the tunnel and his cabin. (Submitted on October 1, 2015.)

Burro Schmidt Tunnel and Marker image. Click for full size.

circa 2015

2. Burro Schmidt Tunnel and Marker

Inside Burro Schmidt Tunnel image. Click for full size.

circa 2015

3. Inside Burro Schmidt Tunnel

Burro Schmidt Cabin image. Click for full size.

circa 2015

4. Burro Schmidt Cabin

Burro Schmidt Cabin and Caretakers’ Home image. Click for full size.

circa 2015

5. Burro Schmidt Cabin and Caretakers’ Home

Burro Schmidt Tunnel, at the other end image. Click for full size.

circa 2015

6. Burro Schmidt Tunnel, at the other end

Credits. This page was last revised on September 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2015, by Alan Price or Jayne Hotchkiss-Price of Caliente, California. This page has been viewed 859 times since then and 69 times this year. Last updated on February 28, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on October 1, 2015, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 27, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5, 6. submitted on February 28, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.