Victorville in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Mojave River Crossing

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 27, 2024

1. Mojave River Crossing Marker

Inscription. From pre historic times thru the 1800s, here was the main crossing of the old Indian Mojave Trail. Padre Garces (1776), Jedediah Smith (1826-27), Kit Carson (1840s) crossed here. Westward immigrants, Mormons, Army camels and Mule trains (1850s) also passed this spot.

Once known as Lane's Crossing (1857), Wells Fargo and Pony Express had stations here. Early Victorville called this, the Turner Ranch (1883).

Erected 1988 by The Mojave Historical Society and the City of Victorville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 34° 34.347′ N, 117° 20.183′ W. Marker is in Victorville, California, in San Bernardino County. It is on Turner Road one mile west of National Trails Highway, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14801 Turner Road, Victorville CA 92394, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lane's Crossing (here, next to this marker); Emma Jean's (approx. 1½ miles away); Lt. Manuel P. Rodriguez Memorial/El Monumento al Teniente Manuel P. Rodriguez (approx.

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2 miles away); Oro Grande Cemetery (approx. 2 miles away); George Air Force Base (approx. 2.4 miles away); F-4C Phantom II (approx. 2.4 miles away); California Route 66 Museum, Victorville, California (approx. 3.4 miles away); Old Town Victorville Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Victorville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Oro Grande Cemetery (was approx. 2 miles away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).

Original Marker - 2014 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 4, 2014

2. Original Marker - 2014

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 4, 2014

3. Mojave River Crossing Marker

Lane's Crossing and Mojave River Crossing Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 4, 2014

4. Lane's Crossing and Mojave River Crossing Markers

Mojave River Crossing Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 27, 2024

5. Mojave River Crossing Markers

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 27, 2024

6. Wagon Road

Traces of the historic wagon road are still visible.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 2,571 times since then and 101 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 28, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 7, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 5, 6. submitted on April 28, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.