Near Homestead Valley in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Willie Boy
1881 - 1909
Photographed by David Sweet
1. Willie Boy Marker
The west's last famous manhunt.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location. 34° 17.514′ N, 116° 32.245′ W. Marker is near Homestead Valley, California, in San Bernardino County. It can be reached from the intersection of Old Woman Springs Road (California Route 247) and Linn Road. Located 5 miles west of Highway 247, in a maze of un-named, rough dirt roads. High ground clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle recommended. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pioneertown CA 92268, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles, in the Coachella Valley, 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
this page online
More about this marker. This is a memorial, not a gravesite.
Regarding Willie Boy. The story of a Native American named Willie Boy and his run-in with the law in 1909 was made into a 1969 movie titled Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here. The film is an adaptation of the 1960 book Willie Boy: A Desert Manhunt, by Harry Lawton. The movie stars Robert Redford, Katharine Ross, and Robert Blake as Willie Boy.
In the movie, as in real life, Willie Boy escapes with his lover after killing her father in self defense. They are hunted for several days by Sheriff Cooper, in the area around this memorial.
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. Willie Boy Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker
3. Willie Boy Marker
Public Domain, circa 1909
4. Willie Boy Wanted Notice
Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2026, by David Sweet of Pleasant Hill, California. This page has been viewed 35 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on March 20, 2026, by David Sweet of Pleasant Hill, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 30, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. An old photo of the missing sign, if one exists. • Can you help?
