Near Nipton in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Mining Town of Hart

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 20, 2023

1. Mining Town of Hart Marker

Inscription. Gold was discovered in the nearby Castle Mountains in December 1907 by Jim Hart and the Hitt brothers, Bert and Clark. The town of Hart quickly sprang up. Its five hotels and eight saloons served a population of about 400. The relatively quiet town had neither a church or a school. Hart had its own newspaper during 1908-1909. The nearest rail connection was 3½ miles northwest at the siding of Hitt. The mines played out after ten years and the town was deserted.

Erected 1984 by Billy Holcomb and Floating Wang Chapters E Clampus Vitus, and Bureau of Land Mgmt-Needles Resouce Area. (Marker Number 30.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1907.

Location. 35° 17.047′ N, 115° 6.883′ W. Marker is near Nipton, California, in San Bernardino County. It is on Hart Mine Road 0.4 miles east of Walking Box Ranch Road. Take Walking Box Ranch Road 17 miles south from Highway 164, then walk or drive a half mile east on a rough dirt road to the marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nipton CA 92364, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Mojave Desert,

in the Peninsular Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 5

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other markers are within 17 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fort Pah-Ute (approx. 13.8 miles away); Nipton (approx. 15.4 miles away); George Frederick Colton and the Duplex Mine (approx. 16½ miles away in Nevada); Willie Martello and the El Rey Resort (approx. 16.6 miles away in Nevada); Searchlight (approx. 16.7 miles away in Nevada).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Nevada Southern Railway (was approx. 10.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. Mining operations have started up again. The marker is now located just outside the private property. It is ⅓ mile west of its original location.

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 20, 2023

2. Mining Town of Hart Marker

At the end of the road. Mine visible in the distance.

Hart Marker - Original Location image. Click for full size.

May 2020

3. Hart Marker - Original Location

Hotel Fireplace image. Click for full size.

May 2020

4. Hotel Fireplace

Located on private property.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 812 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 23, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4. submitted on June 4, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.