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

Movement in the Desert

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 18, 2015

1. Movement in the Desert Marker

Inscription. To cross the dry and rugged Mojave Desert, early inhabitants developed foot trails traveling from spring to spring. These trails evolved from footpaths to pack routes and then wagon roads as Euro-Americans entered the desert. Railroad routes strayed from the wagon roads in search of easier grades, and the first automobile roads followed the rail lines, as trains could be flagged down in an emergency.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 35° 26.148′ N, 115° 42.09′ 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 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,

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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: Who Has Lived Here? (here, next to this marker); Ranching and Mining (here, next to this marker); Western Expansion (here, next to this marker); Railroads Revolutionize Transportation (a few steps from this marker); Modern Highways (a few steps from this marker); Valley Wells (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.

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 18, 2015

2. Movement in the Desert Marker

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 18, 2015

3. Movement in the Desert Marker

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 18, 2015

4. Movement in the Desert Marker

The Southern Pacific line from Mojave to Needles, completed in 1883, was the first rail ine to cross the central Mohave Desert.

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 18, 2015

5. Movement in the Desert Marker

As automobile travel became popular in the 1920s, the Autombile Club of Southern California created a uniform signing system, posting thousands of porcelain-on-steel signs.

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 18, 2015

6. Movement in the Desert Marker

Wagons share the road with automobiles near Ludlow, 1915.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2015, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 437 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 19, 2015, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.