East Mojave History

East Mojave History. . , First Inhabitants , Rock carvings and paintings found throughout this region are evidence that prehistoric man had once inhabited the East Mojave, perhaps as early as 10,000 years ago. Local populations of bighorn sheep and deer, along with native plants, provided these early Native Americans with the food, clothing and shelter essential for survival in the often harsh desert. , , Boom and Bust , The discovery of silver near Wild Horse Canyon in the 1860's touched off a mining boom that peaked 20 years later with the Bonanza King Mine turning out 2,000 ounces of bullion a day. Working conditions were nothing to brag about. Though paid promptly and in coin, the men received only $3.50 a day; board cost $8 a week. A drop in silver prices by the late 1880's led to abandonment of several mines, the remains of which can still be seen throughout the East Mojave. , , Gunfighter Leaves Mark on East Mojave , It wasn't Bob Hollimon's intention to settle in the East Mojave when he arrived in 1918 with a herd of cattle and a reputation as a gunfighter and cattle rustler, but he remained for the rest of his life. He was locally known for his exceptionally good homemade whiskey, but left his mark on the region by naming Hole-in-the Wall for its resemblance to a place near his former home in Wyoming: Butch Cassidy's infamous hideout. , , On The Range , By 1888, the Rock Springs Land and Cattle Company was grazing cattle on more than 1 million acres of desert in the East Mojave, including land along Wild Horse Canyon Byway. The dry desert conditions required the development of numerous wells and pipelines to provide water to the cattle in dry canyons like Wild Horse. The roads that were created to service these facilities have become some of the back-country byways of the East Mojave today. The windmills, corrals and fences seen along these roads are still needed by present day ranchers and provide the region with much of its Old West character. , , Journey to the Past , The history of the East Mojave is a story about different people and cultures: Indians, Spanish explorers, trappers and moutain men, miners, farmers, cattlemen, homesteaders, railroaders, and World War II training recruits. Evidence left behind by these varied groups can still be found throughout the area, with mining and ranching continuing to this day. , , Features Along the Way , Follow the long trains of the Union Pacific along the KELSO-CIMA BYWAY as they roll past the historic Kelso Depot. From the summit of the CIMA BY-WAY, you can walk through a Joshua tree woodland to the top of Teutonia Peak, rising as a lone sentinel from the volcanic uplift of Cima Dome. , , Travel along an old stagecoach route through creosote flats and Great Basin sagebrush country on the ESSEX and BLACK CANYON BYWAYS. The ghosts of old mining towns still haunt the rugged peaks of the nearby Providence Mountains. , , Following the route of a bygone railway, LANFAIR-IVANPAH BYWAY passes through historic ranching country where cowboys still perform daily chores on horseback. The New York Mountains form a picturesque backdrop to occasional glimpses of golden eagles and desert tortoises. Retrace the footsteps of early Indians, explorers, and cavalry as you travel the CEDAR CANYON BYWAY. Also enjoy rabbitbrush blooming in the fall and a pinyon-juniper woodland in the shadows Pinto Mountain. Desert bighorn sheep may cross your path as you drive the KELBAKER BYWAY alongside the massive white boulders of the Granite Mountains, Volcanic cinder cones, evidence of a violent past, and the "booming” sands of Kelso Dunes are also found on this route.