Randsburg in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Randsburg, California

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 16, 2011

1. Randsburg California Marker

Inscription.
Gold was discovered on the slope of Rand Mountain in 1895. From this discovery, the town of Randsburg sprang up almost overnight. By 1899, the town had over 3500 residents. Randsburg boasted a 100-stamp mill and conservative estimates are that $60,000,000 in gold was taken out of the mines in the area during the town’s boom years. From 1895 till about 1933, the Yellow Aster Mine produced almost $25,000,000 worth of gold at the old gold prices of about $20.00 per ounce. The jail and White House Saloon were host to many a miner, cowboy, farmer, Indian and Clamper during the peak of the mining period.

Erected 1989 by E Clampus Vitus; John P. Squibob, Peter LeBeck, Slim Princess and Billy Holcomb Chapters. (Marker Number 57.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.

Location. 35° 22.142′ N, 117° 39.393′ W. Marker is in Randsburg, California, in Kern County. It is on Red Rock Randsberg Road north of Butte Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located at the old Randsburg City Jail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Johannesburg CA 93528, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Yellow Aster Gold Mine (a few steps from this marker); White House Saloon (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); D.T. Jones Dry Goods (about 300 feet away); Randsburg Drug Store (about 400 feet away); The Joint (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named The Joint (about 400 feet away); The Commercial Hotel (about 500 feet away); Rand Desert Museum (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Randsburg.

More about this marker. The Yellow Aster Mine was discovered by John Singleton, F.M. Mooers and Charlie Burcham. It had been named the Rand Mine because of the similarity in the minerals present to those of the Rand Mining District in South Africa. Because of the possible confusion, between the two "Rand Mines" the one in California was renamed the "Yellow Aster" after a book that Mooers was reading at the time of the discovery. This Plaque was a joint effort with Peter Lebeck, John P. Squibob, and the Slim Princess Chapters.
SOURCE: Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069 35th Anniversary Plaque Book by Phillip Holdaway

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 16, 2011

2. Randsburg California Marker

At the old Randsburg city jail.

The Old Randsburg City Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 16, 2011

3. The Old Randsburg City Jail

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 16, 2011

4. The Old Randsburg City Jail

White House Saloon image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer

5. White House Saloon

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 7, 2025

6. Randsburg

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 7, 2025

7. Randsburg

Randsburg - 1897 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 7, 2025

8. Randsburg - 1897

Commemorative Pin image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 8, 1989

9. Commemorative Pin

Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,542 times since then and 81 times this year. Last updated on November 3, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 13, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 6, 7, 8. submitted on April 13, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 9. submitted on August 8, 2016, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.