Near California City in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Randsburg - Mojave Road
By Frank Houdek, October 14, 2006
1. Randsburg - Mojave Road Marker
The Randsburg Mojave Road was built by Rice & Shippee of Mojave to speed stage transportation from the Southern Pacific railroad station at Mojave, to the rich gold mines in the Randsburg area; service commenced on November 22, 1898. The stage left Mojave at 9 o’clock and arrived at Randsburg at 2 o’clock, just five hours after leaving Mojave. This new route was only 36 miles, versus the 54-mile (and eight hour) route through Garlock. The cost of a one-way ticket was three dollars.The route followed the Twenty Mule Team Mojave/Death Valley road (1883-1889) from Mojave to this point, and then angled north; near Randsburg the old road went through the hills to the west of present day Highway 395.
Besides gold, the Rand mining region produced tungsten (essential to World War One hardened steel production) in Atolia. A rich silver strike south of Johannesburg in 1919 gave birth to wild, wooly and rich Osdick (later Red Mountain). By 1915, the automobile was replacing horse drawn transportation. Stages still ran between Randsburg and Atolia; but auto stages ran to Barstow and Mojave. Locally, miners could ride to work
By Lester J Letson, October 15, 2006
2. The dedication of the Randsburg - Mojave Road Marker
Six chapters of E Clampus Vitus came together for a joint camp-out to commemorate and dedicate the Randsburg-Mojave Road marker.
Erected 2006 by Southern Alliance of E Clampus Vitus, California City, East Kern Historical Museum Society and Rand Desert Museum. (Marker Number 129.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list.
Location. 35° 8.44′ N, 117° 55.469′ W. Marker is near California City, California, in Kern County. Marker is at the intersection of Randsburg Mojave Road and 20 Mule Team Parkway, on the right when traveling north on Randsburg Mojave Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: California City CA 93505, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 20-Mule Team Trail (approx. 5.3 miles away); Desert Spring (approx. 11.3 miles away); Florence "Pancho" Barnes (approx. 11.7 miles away); Josephine Stephens Bishop (approx. 11.9 miles away); HL-10 (approx. 13.2 miles away); NF-15B (approx. 13.2 miles away); Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird (approx. 13.2 miles away); F-8 Supercritical Wing Aircraft (approx. 13.2 miles away).
More about this marker. From San Diego, take route 15 north to 395 north prior to entering Vacaville. Drive to the 58 freeway (Kramer Junction). Go west on the 58 for 21.8 miles till you hit the 2 lane road turnoff to California City (10 miles). As you approach the town, the road becomes a 4 lane divided highway. When it becomes 2 lanes again, go 0.4 miles to the turnoff to the left. The plaque is located at that turnoff
Also see . . .
By courtesy of Peter Lebeck Chapter No. 1866, circa 2006
3. Event Patch
ECV
Fall 2006
Southern Alliance
Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2011, by Frank Houdek of Kingman, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,125 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on December 11, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on October 28, 2011, by Frank Houdek of Kingman, Arizona. 2. submitted on February 20, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 3. submitted on October 3, 2016, by Michael Kindig of Long Beach, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
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