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

Stoddard Wells Road

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 11, 2015

1. Stoddard Wells Road Marker

Inscription. Previous to the building of Stoddard Wells Road, the primary route of travel between the Fish Ponds (present-day Daggett) and Little Meadows (present-day Victorville) was by way of the Mojave River and Lane's Crossing. Although it later became known as Stoddard Wells Road, it was Lafayette Mecham, a Mormon pioneer who ran the station at Fish Ponds, who actually built the new route. In 1867 Mecham was awarded a contract to bring 100 tons of hay from Little Meadows to Camp Cady on the Mojave River. Camp Cady was located approximately 20 miles east of present-day Barstow. Rather than use the regularly travelled route along the Mojave River, Mecham cut a more direct road from Little Meadows to the Fish Ponds at Daggett. This new route cut off a large arc of the Mojave River route, thus shortening the distance between the two points. In addition, Mecham's road was built on firmer ground, as the Mojave River route had several areas of soft sand, which was difficult for heavily-laden wagons to negotiate. One of the disadvantages of the new route was the lack of water, after Sheldon Stoddard dug a well near this spot, the route

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became very popular with freighters and other travelers. The road came to be referred to first as Stoddard's Well Road, then Stoddard's Wells, and finally as Stoddard Wells Road. The new road crossed the Mojave River near present-day Sixth Street in Victorville, and linked up with the toll road through the Cajon Pass.

Erected 2015 by Billy Holcomb Chapter No. 1069, E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 156.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list.

Location. 34° 45.659′ N, 117° 0.625′ W. Marker is in Barstow, California, in San Bernardino County. It is on Barstow Road (California Route 247), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Barstow CA 92311, 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

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 11, 2015

2. Stoddard Wells Road Marker

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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Slash X Ranch (here, next to this marker); Susie De Ridder (approx. 7.8 miles away); History of MCLB Barstow & U.S. Route 66 (approx. 8½ miles away); Log Cabin (approx. 8.8 miles away); The Old Spanish Trail (approx. 8.8 miles away); Mojave Riverbed Trail (approx. 8.8 miles away); Prohibition & Bootlegging in the High Desert (approx. 9.6 miles away); Marine Corps Logistic Base (approx. 9.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Barstow.

Clampers Awaiting the Unveiling image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 11, 2015

3. Clampers Awaiting the Unveiling

Stoddard Wells Cistern image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, April 30, 2011

4. Stoddard Wells Cistern

Dedication Patch image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, April 23, 1971

5. Dedication Patch

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 11, 2015

6. Dedication Patch

Stoddard Wells
Billy Holcomb 1069
Fall Doins 2015 - 6020
ECV

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2015, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 2,324 times since then and 128 times this year. Last updated on March 2, 2016, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 18, 2015, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.