Mojave National Preserve near Nipton in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Mojave Cross
Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial Cross
| | The White Cross WW I Memorial | |
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. The Mojave Cross Marker
First erected in 1934 in honor of all military dead of all wars.
Rededicated in 2012.
"For those who gave all"
Erected 2012 by Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.
Location. 35° 18.905′ N, 115° 33.052′ W. Memorial is near Nipton, California, in San Bernardino County. It is in Mojave National Preserve. It is on Cima Road 11½ miles south of Interstate 15, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Nipton CA 92364, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Teutonia Peak Trail (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Mojave Road (approx. 9.9 miles away); Footprints in Time (approx. 11.7 miles away); Modern Highways (approx. 11.9 miles away); Western Expansion (approx. 11.9 miles away); Railroads Revolutionize Transportation (approx. 11.9 miles away); Ranching and Mining (approx. 11.9 miles away); Who Has Lived Here? (approx. 11.9 miles away).
Another marker is no longer nearby. Pozos de San Juan de Dios (was approx. 11½ miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Regarding The Mojave Cross.
this page online
His neighbor Henry Sandoz then looked after the cross.
In 2001, the ACLU filed a lawsuit arguing that the cross was unconstitutional since it was located on government land. Lower federal courts agreed, ordering the removal of the cross. Judges ordered a heavy bag padlocked over the cross to cover it up during the appeals process. Later, the bag was replaced by a wooden box.
In 2010, the Supreme Court reversed the lower courts' rulings and upheld the constitutionality of a law passed by Congress in 2003 that allowed the transfer of the memorial and the land upon which it stood to the VFW.
Just days after the Supreme Court's ruling, vandals stole the cross, which was later recovered.
On November 11, 2012, after the conclusion of the land transfer, more than 500 supporters turned out for a special Veterans Day celebration, which included the long-awaited restoration and rededication of the new Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial Cross.
The Cross is known by various names: The White Cross WW I Memorial; the Mojave Cross; and simply The Cross. The Mojave Desert
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. The Mojave Cross and Marker
-from a brochure at the cross
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. - The Original Mojave Cross, now at the museum in Goffs.
Also see . . . The White Cross WW I Memorial. National Park Service website. (Submitted on October 17, 2024.)
Photographed by Craig Baker
3. The Mojave Cross and Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker
4. The Mojave Cross and Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker
5. The Mojave Cross Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2024. This page has been viewed 368 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 17, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
