Near Afton Canyon in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Bonnie Keebler Harris Grave
Photographed by Craig Baker, circa 1999
1. Bonnie Keebler Harris Grave Marker
Bonnie Keebler Harris, 1823-1872, mother of 5, died of sickness. This is as far as we could get her.
Erected 1997 by Mojave River Valley Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Exploration • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.
Location. 35° 6.981′ N, 116° 27.061′ W. Marker is near Afton Canyon, California, in San Bernardino County. It can be reached from Powerline Road. Located approximately 5 miles northwest of Interstate 15 on a road with deep sand. A four-wheel-drive vehicle with high ground clearance is required. To help protect this site, the location shown here is not exact. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baker CA 92309, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker 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 5 other markers are within 17 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Mojave Desert (approx. 5.9 miles away); Mojave Road (approx. 6 miles away); Camp Cady (approx. 14½ miles away); a different marker also named Camp Cady (approx. 16.8 miles away); Historic Mojave River Road (approx. 16.8 miles away).
Regarding Bonnie Keebler Harris Grave. In 1997, Joe Pizzitola looked under some rocks at an
this page online
"Dec. 27, 1872,
To whom it may concern,
Died this day of sickness. Too far to travel so will put her here. Mrs. Bonnie Keebler Harris, Born Dec. 1823 in New York. Mother of five children. God Rest Her Soul."
Later that year, a marker was installed by the Mojave River Valley Museum. Today it is nearly unreadable. In 2026, the museum is planning to create and install a tombstone.
Little is known about Bonnie Harris. She was probably with an emigrant party moving west along the Old Spanish Trail. It was not uncommon for travelers heading west to die during their journey and be buried along the trail.
Also see . . . Mojave River Valley Museum. Located in Barstow, they are the caretakers of this and other historic sites in the Mojave Desert. Supported by donations, book store sales, and memberships (I am a Life member.-CB) (Submitted on March 22, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. Bonnie Keebler Harris Grave and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 209 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 22, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
