Near Palm Springs in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Wilderness Preservation

In wilderness, people are visitors who do not remain.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 16, 2022

1. Wilderness Preservation Marker

Inscription. After nearly a century of timber production, parts of the San Jacinto Mountains looked like nothing more than a logging camp. Where tall trees once stood, stumps and wood debris littered the landscape. Livestock grazing also took its toll. John Muir toured the region with members of the National Forest Commission and advocated for the protection and preservation of the high country. Based on the Commission's report, President Cleveland established the San Jacinto Forest Reserve in 1897 More robust protection came in 1927 when a Forest Service game refuge was created to regulate the hunting of deer.

It took another 10 years to arrive at a true wilderness designation. In 1937 the Federal Government, the California State Park Commission, and local officials collaborated to permanently protect the region. This land was designated the Mount San Jacinto State Park and set aside as a wilderness area. Later, adjacent Federal land was designated the San Jacinto Wilderness. The result was permanent protection of nearly all of San Jacinto's high country.

Erected 2012 by California State Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

33° 48.778′ N, 116° 38.324′ W. Marker is near Palm Springs, California, in Riverside County. It can be reached from Tram Way. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Palm Springs CA 92262, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Coachella Valley,

and in the Peninsular 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 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Mountain Rocks (within shouting distance of this marker); The Valley's Faults (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wilderness Before You (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Accidental Sea (about 300 feet away); Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Valley Station (approx. 2.2 miles away); Original Cabin #2 (approx. 2.2 miles away); Tahquitz Rock History (approx. 4.3 miles away); The Willows (approx. 5.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palm Springs.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 16, 2022

2. Wilderness Preservation Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 254 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 19, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.