Near Mountain Pass in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Valley Wells

Photographed by Adam Margolis, April 11, 2015

1. Valley Wells Marker

Inscription. In the late 1860's copper was discovered on Clark Montain and the Clark Mining District was organized. Ore was rich but high transportation costs soon caused mining to cease. In the late 1890's the railroad came within 30 miles and the original strike, the Copper World Mine, was reopened. Two wells were sunk and in 1899 a 50-ton smelter was built, treating ore hauled by 20-mule teams. In 1917 a 100-ton furnace was built, but was in use only a short while. In 1894 Valley Wells (formerly known as Rosalie) became headquarters of the Yates Ranch Cattle Co. Ranching ceased around 1950. The Copper World reopened in 1977 and there is large-scale production of gold and rare-earth minerals in the Clark District up to the present day.

Erected 1992 by Billy Holcomb Chapter No. 1069 E Clampus Vitus, and Caltrans District 8. (Marker Number 70.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.

Location. 35° 26.135′ N, 115° 42.113′ W. Marker is near Mountain Pass, California, in San Bernardino County. It is on Interstate 15 26 miles south of Primm, on the right when traveling

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south. Located at Valley Wells Rest Area on the south-bound side of Interstate 15. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nipton CA 92364, 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 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Western Expansion (within shouting distance of this marker); Movement in the Desert (within shouting distance of this marker); Who Has Lived Here? (within shouting distance of this marker); Ranching and Mining (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroads Revolutionize Transportation (within shouting distance of this marker); Modern Highways (within shouting distance of this marker); Footprints in Time (approx. 0.2 miles away); Teutonia Peak Trail (approx. 11.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mountain Pass.

Regarding Valley Wells. Valley Wells was originally named Rosalie after an early mine of the same name. The U.S. Post Office in Ivanpah moved to Rosalie in April 1899 and was maintained until August 1903. In November of 1899 a visitor stated, "The Copper World...is proving to be a veritable bonanza, and a camp is growing there that will eventually be as large as the famous Jerome copper camp." There are virtually no contemporary accounts of this camp. SOURCE: Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069 35th Anniversary Plaque Book by Phillip Holdaway

Photographed by Richard Hawkins, April 5, 2013

2. Valley Wells Marker

Located above the water fountain.

Valley Wells Marker, original location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 9, 2009

3. Valley Wells Marker, original location

Valley Wells Marker, to the far left in the distance. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 23, 2009

4. Valley Wells Marker, to the far left in the distance.

Original location, before the rest area was remodeled.

Valley Wells Rest Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Hawkins, April 5, 2013

5. Valley Wells Rest Area

Valley Wells - new upgraded rest area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Hawkins, April 5, 2013

6. Valley Wells - new upgraded rest area

Valley Wells Satellite Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Hawkins, April 5, 2013

7. Valley Wells Satellite Map

Points of Interest Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Hawkins, April 5, 2013

8. Points of Interest Map

Clark Mountian Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Hawkins, April 5, 2013

9. Clark Mountian Marker

Viewing area for Clark Mountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Hawkins, April 5, 2013

10. Viewing area for Clark Mountain

Binoculars are provided in this rest area. They are free and you can see clearly for miles.

Copper World Mine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 3, 2009

11. Copper World Mine

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 3, 2009

12. Copper World MIne

View from Copper World Mine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 3, 2009

13. View from Copper World Mine

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 11, 1992

14. Event Patch

Valley Wells Fall Clampout ‘92 - ECV 1069

Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 3,420 times since then and 117 times this year. Last updated on November 3, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1. submitted on February 16, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 2. submitted on April 9, 2013, by Richard Hawkins of Phelan, California. 3. submitted on December 19, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 4. submitted on March 17, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on April 9, 2013, by Richard Hawkins of Phelan, California. 11, 12, 13. submitted on December 24, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 14. submitted on August 8, 2016, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.