Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree National Park in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Linked to the Land: Keys Ranch
Photographed by Tatiana Zavala, January 18, 2025
1. Linked to the Land: Keys Ranch Marker
Native Americans thrived here for millennia. Mining and cattle ranching first brought European Americans here in the 1860s.
The Homestead Act of 1862 accelerated the influx of newcomers. Hot summers, scarce water, and lack of wood for structures challenged them. Ranchers moved their animals to find food and water. A few hardy prospectors mined for gold and silver. Eventually, about 300 mines dotted the landscape, but few made a profit. Desert Queen Mine, 5 miles (8 km) away, was an exception. This mine operated longer and produced more than most.
Bill Keys arrived at Desert Queen Mine in 1910. Through resourcefulness, tenacity, and teamwork, the Keys family prospered. Over time, a loose-knit community of homesteaders and miners grew around the Keys' ranch. Together, they forged livelihoods in the Mojave Desert.
Erected by National Park Service, US Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location. 34° 2.016′ N, 116° 10.023′ W. Marker is in Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree National Park, California, in Riverside County. It can be reached from Keys Ranch Road
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Classic Lines (approx. 0.7 miles away); Barker Dam (approx. 1½ miles away); Wall Street Mill (approx. 1.6 miles away); Worth Bagley Stone (approx. 2 miles away); Memorial Fire (approx. 2.9 miles away); Ryan Ranch (approx. 3.2 miles away); Welcome to the Indian Cove Trail (approx. 4.2 miles away); Hardships and Forced Transitions (approx. 4.2 miles away).
Regarding Linked to the Land: Keys Ranch. This marker includes a map of the Keys Ranch as it was from 1913 to approximately 1964. Also includes a timeline from 1890s when the Desert Queen Mine was established, to 1969 when the Ranch was purchased by the National Park Service.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Additional keywords. Keys Ranch, Desert Queen Mine, Homestead, Joshua Tree National Park
Photographed by Tatiana Zavala, January 18, 2025
2. Keys Ranch interpretive sign
Top portion, zoomed in for details
Photographed by Tatiana Zavala, January 18, 2025
3. Bottom portion of sign
Map of Keys Ranch with description of buildings and landmarks
Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2025, by Tatiana Zavala of Orange County, California. This page has been viewed 176 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 21, 2025, by Tatiana Zavala of Orange County, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
