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

Daggett

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 3, 2018

1. Daggett Marker

Inscription. This community long served as a supply point and railhead for the mines of Death Valley and Calico. In the early 1880's the first borax produced in Death Valley was hauled by mule team to the Atlantic & Pacific R.R. (later the Santa Fe) at Daggett. The station formerly Calico, was established in 1882 to service the silver mines, but was soon renamed for Lt. Gov. John Daggett. In 1888 it was connected to Calico by the narrow gauge Calico R.R. Silver prices dropped in the early 1890's and the mines closed. At this time rich borax deposits were being worked at nearby Borate. 20 mule teams hauled the borax to Daggett for rail shipment. An era ended in 1898 when the famous teams were replaced by the Borate & Daggett R.R. By 1907 borax mining had ceased in favor of richer deposits near Death Valley.

Erected 1995 by Billy Holcomb Chapter No. 1069, E Clampus Vitus in cooperation with the Daggett Historical Sociery. (Marker Number 83.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in

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the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.

Location. 34° 51.926′ N, 116° 53.117′ W. Marker is in Daggett, California, in San Bernardino County. It is at the intersection of 2nd Street and King Street, on the right when traveling north on 2nd Street. Marker is located near the front door of the Daggett Museum building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 33703 2nd Street, Daggett CA 92327, 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Daggett Ditch (a few steps from this marker); Alf’s Blacksmith Shop (about 500 feet away, measured in a

Photographed by Adam Margolis, February 4, 2024

2. Daggett Marker

direct line); The Stone Hotel (about 700 feet away); Daggett Garage (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Russian House (approx. ¼ mile away); C-Block (approx. ¼ mile away); 1956 Seagrave Pumper (approx. 0.3 miles away); Liberty Sculpture Park (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Daggett.

Regarding Daggett. Lt. Gov. John R. Daggett, for which the town is named, owned the Bismarck Mine in the nearby Calico Mts. In 1902 Dix Van Dyke, a desert judge, stated that because of the booming borax mining and processing, Daggett's borax mines employed 200 men who supported 3 stores, 3 saloons, 2 Chinese restaurants, a drug store and another restaurant. SOURCE: Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069 35th Anniversary Plaque Book by Phillip Holdaway

Daggett Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, November 28, 2010

3. Daggett Museum

Daggett Marker and Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 3, 2018

4. Daggett Marker and Museum

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 3, 2018

5. Daggett Museum

Museum Interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 3, 2018

6. Museum Interior

Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,948 times since then and 56 times this year. Last updated on November 3, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1. submitted on November 5, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on February 12, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3. submitted on December 25, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 5, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.