Barker Ranch was built by
"recreational ranchers"
who moved to the desert to
enjoy the solitude and simplicity of living far from civilization, Bluch and Helen
Thomason moved to the
area in the late 1930s to try
their hand at gold . . . — — Map (db m238166) HM
This District possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America.
The Coso Rock Art District contains the largest concentration of unaltered prehistoric petroglyphs and associated sites in North . . . — — Map (db m196327) HM
In this area, several groups of midwestern emigrants, who had escaped from hazards and privations in Death Valley in 1849, sought to secure water from Searles Lake. When they discovered its salty nature, they turned northward and westward in . . . — — Map (db m93441) HM
In the 1880s, the famous twenty-mule
teams hauled borax from mines in Death
Valley to the railroad junction in Mojave. The
wagon route passed just north of here.
In 1925, a huge deposit of borax ores was
discovered near Boron. By the . . . — — Map (db m155972) HM
Florence Lowe “Pancho” Barnes was a pioneering aviator, rancher, and entrepreneur whose adventurous spirit left a lasting mark on aviation history in the United States. Born on July 22, 1901, in Pasadena, California, she grew up in a family well . . . — — Map (db m286047) HM
This is one of the original miner's cabins built at the Baker Mine site to house Pacific Coast Borax employees. It was built in 1929, and usually housed one or two unmarried men. It is of wooden frame construction with a wooden floor and a double . . . — — Map (db m228026) HM
This is one of the original Miner’s Cabins built for the Baker Mine to house Pacific Coast Borax employees. It usually held one or two unmarried men. Built around 1929, rent was included in a room and board package which cost $5.00 per week.
. . . — — Map (db m296658) HM
This is one of the original twenty mule team wagon sets, used to carry borax out of Death Valley, through 165 miles of desolate mountains and blistering deserts, to the closest railroad spur in Mojave, California. It took 20 days for the 20 Mule . . . — — Map (db m123897) HM
Before you is an original set of 20-Mule Team Borax Wagons. They were introduced in 1883 by Borax Magnate William Tell Coleman to haul Borax from his Harmony Borax works in Death Valley to the railroad at Mojave, 165 miles away. A round trip took 20 . . . — — Map (db m296653) HM
A true desert icon is the legendary 20-mule team. Longer teams had previously been used, but it is this one that has earned an enduring place in western history. In 1883 William Coleman introduced the teams to haul borax 165 miles from Harmony Borax . . . — — Map (db m286049) HM
From 1883 to 1889, wagons hauled borax along this road 165 miles from Death Valley to Mohave. The route was laid out by J.W.S. Perry. He and a muleskinner named Ed Stiles designed the wagons to carry the heavy loads to the rail depot.
The wagon . . . — — Map (db m123893) HM
Dedicated to all American war veterans
who have made the supreme sacrifice.
American Legion Post No. 476,
California City, California - 1979.
"Lest we forget" — — Map (db m243245) WM
The Randsburg Mojave Road was built by Rice & Shippee of Mojave to speed stage transportation from the Southern Pacific railroad station at Mojave, to the rich gold mines in the Randsburg area; service commenced on November 22, 1898. The stage left . . . — — Map (db m143407) HM
This spring was on the old Indian Horsethief Trail and later (1834) Joe Walker Trail. The famished Manly-Jayhawk Death Valley parties (1849-50) were revived here after coming from Indian Wells through Last Chance Canyon. This was also a station on . . . — — Map (db m117039) HM
Florence Leontine Lowe was born July 29, 1901 in Pasadena. Through an arranged marriage in 1921, she became the wife of a minister, Rankin Barnes. She ended her relationship with him a few years after bearing a son, Billy.
Florence acquired the . . . — — Map (db m51666) HM
Called a “natural airdrome,” the Rogers Dry Lakebed and surrounding airspace, known as the Air Force Flight Test Center, has been and continues to be the optimum location for “first flights” and validation of high-performance and experimental . . . — — Map (db m152144) HM
On Oct. 2, 1942, a Bell XP-59A Aircraft powered by Twin General Electric Type 1-A Engines introduced Jet Flight to America. This new age began here at Edwards Air Force Base as the XP-59A lifted from Rogers Dry Lake with Bell Test Pilot Robert . . . — — Map (db m115090) HM
The first prototye B-52 took to the air on 15 April 1952. Nearly 750 B-52’s were eventually built, of which 170 were –Ds. Records set by B-52s included the world’s first non-stop round-the-world flight by a jet aircraft and the first hydrogen bomb . . . — — Map (db m115099) HM
Branch Pond was constructed in the late
1960's as a fish pond. In the early 70's
the pond was often used by the Survival
School for pilot training programs.
The pond is now a recreational fishing
resource. The pond is filled with . . . — — Map (db m207945) HM
Originally developed as a private venture to meet a USAF requirement for a twin jet utility trainer, the prototype T-39 made its first flight on 16 September 1958. In all, 143 T-39A’s and six T-39B’s were built for the USAF. Another 62 T-39’s were . . . — — Map (db m115101) HM
Home of the Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards
Air Force Base provides the premier aerospace research, development, test and evaluation and support
for the United States and its allies. More aviation
records have been set at Edwards than . . . — — Map (db m207942) HM
Originally developed from the McDonnell XF-88 penetration fighter, the F-101 was designed as a long-range bomber escort for the Strategic Air Command. The prototype made its first flight at Edwards AFB in September 1954. When high-speed, . . . — — Map (db m115497) HM
The first XF-104 made its initial flight here at Edwards AFB in February 1954. In May 1958, a YF-104A set a world speed record of 1,404.19 mph over Edwards, and in December 1959, an F-104C set a world altitude record of 103, 395 feet here. The . . . — — Map (db m115470) HM
The YF-105 completed its maiden flight at Edwards AFB in October 1955, easily exceeding Mach One, even though it was powered by a J57 engine - much less powerful than its projected power plant, the J75. The D-model “Thud” added water injection to . . . — — Map (db m115494) HM
The F-106 Delta Dart had a long and illustrious career at Edwards AFB. The prototype A-model made its first flight here on 26 Dec 56. On 15 Dec 59, Col Joe Rogers piloted as F-106 A to a world speed record of 1,525.695 mph (Mach 2.41) here. In Apr . . . — — Map (db m115495) HM
The F-111A was the world’s first production variable-sweep wing fighter. It completed its maiden flight on 21 December 1964, at Carswell AFB, Texas. The aircraft could exceed twice the speed of sound (Mach 2) by sweeping its wings rearward while in . . . — — Map (db m115102) HM
When first flown at Edwards AFB on January 20, 1974, the YF-16 was the most advance fighter in the world. The F-16B is a combat-capable two-seat version of the production F-16A. To date, over 4,000 F-16s have been manufactured worldwide and 122 B . . . — — Map (db m115097) HM
For the Digital Fly-By-Wire project, NASA technicians replaced cables and push rods in this F-8 Crusader with an electronic flight-control system coupled to a digital computer. The computer interpreted the pilot's control inputs and transmitted . . . — — Map (db m128305) HM
This research aircraft was the first airplane to fly using a digital fly-by-wire electronics flight-control system with no mechanical backup system. The initial system utilized components from the Apollo spacecraft guidance and control system. . . . — — Map (db m128306) HM
This research aircraft was the first airplane to demonstrate the transonic performance capabilities of a supercritical wing. This airplane demonstrated a drag-rise Mach number of 0.96 at cruise lifting conditions. The resulting technology base . . . — — Map (db m121503) HM
The Republic YF-84F prototype (a modified F-84E straight-wing officially designated YF-96A) completed its hour-long first flight at Edwards in June 1950. The first flight of the revised F-model prototype, with its distinctly deeper fuselage profile, . . . — — Map (db m115103) HM
The F-86, the Nation’s first swept-wing jet fighter, made its initial flight at what is now Edwards AFB on October 1, 1947. The first production model flew on May 20, 1948 and on September 15, 1948 an F-86A streaked to a world-record 670.9 mph. . . . — — Map (db m115092) HM
The Bell X-1 was loaded into its B-29 launch aircraft from this pit on October 14, 1947. Captain Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager piloted the airplane to Mach 1.06 (700 mph). — — Map (db m115115) HM
This Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology demonstrator, the second of two built, was designed to test technologies that would improve the maneuverability of future U.S. fighters. NASA, the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory, and Rockwell . . . — — Map (db m128311) HM
Flown 37 times by NASA's Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California.
First flight December 22, 1966. Final flight July 17, 1970.
Maximum speed and altitude records for lifting bodies held by the HL-10: Mach 1.86 (1228 MPH) . . . — — Map (db m139901) HM
During her extraordinary 40-year flying career, aviation pioneer Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochran established more speed, altitude and distance records than any other pilot, male or female, in aviation history. While flying a USAF F-86A Sabre here at . . . — — Map (db m115116) HM
The United States Air Force has always relied upon the application of leading-edge technologies to fulfill its mission of airpower projection. From the XP-59 of 1942 to the B-2, C-17, and F-22 of today, the Flight Test Center has been essential to . . . — — Map (db m115095) HM
NASA Dryden operated a fleet of F-104 Starfighters between 1956 and 1994. These were used as chase aircraft, for pilot training and proficiency, and to practice X-15 approaches and landings. They were also configured to carry flight-test fixtures . . . — — Map (db m128308) HM
The SR-71 is long-range Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft that was operated by the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1998. It was developed as a “black” project of the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1960s by Lockheed and its “Skunk . . . — — Map (db m207916) HM
The SR-71 Blackbird served NASA as a high-speed, high-altitude research aircraft capable of attaining altitudes above 85,000 feet with a cruising speed up to Mach 3.32 (2,193 mph). To enable it to withstand high temperatures generated by . . . — — Map (db m128309) HM
The Meteor was Britain’s first operational jet aircraft and the only operational Allied jet to see service in World War II. The prototype, designated G.41, completed its first flight in March 1943 under the power of two de Havilland H-1 turbojets. . . . — — Map (db m115104) HM
This vehicle served much of its life at the
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
at Edwards AFB in support of
the Space Shuttle Program.
On Loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force. — — Map (db m223302) HM
In 1993 Dryden acquired the NF-15B, a two-seat jet fighter that had undergone significant modifications including the addition of canards and a pair of thrust-vectoring nozzles. Dryden engineers used the aircraft as a test bed for research on . . . — — Map (db m128310) HM
The Phantom II, first flown in May 1958, was developed as a fleet defense interceptor for the U.S. Navy. After entering Navy service in 1961, the USAF evaluated it at Edwards AFB to fill a fighter-bomber requirement. In 1963 production F-4Cs began . . . — — Map (db m115105) HM
Thor was the free world’s first operational intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM). It was 65 feet long, 8 feet in diameter and weighed 105,000 pounds. Douglas Aircraft was the prime contractor. The missile utilized a single stage North . . . — — Map (db m115106) HM
The Piper PA-48 Enforcer is a turboprop-powered light close air support/ground attack aircraft. It was an ultimate development of the original World War II North American P-51 Mustang. The Enforcer concept was originally created by Cavalier . . . — — Map (db m128315) HM
First flight — June, 1963.
Last flight — December, 1971.
On 6 December 1963, major Robert W. Smith
set an unofficial world altitude record
of 120,800 feet from a ground takeoff.
Plaque presented by: Class 72B
USAF Test Pilot . . . — — Map (db m139929) HM
Leading the vision and evolution of Air Force rocket propulsion
technology from its earliest days, the Rocket Site's men and
women and their unique research, development, and test facilities
have provided the discoveries, developments, and . . . — — Map (db m153378) HM
On October 14, 1947, 42,000 feet above this
monument, Captain Chuck Yeager, USAF, piloting a Bell X-1 rocket airplane named Glamorous Glennis, became the first person to exceed Mach 1. With this flight, the era of supersonic aviation was born. . . . — — Map (db m115088) HM
The T-28B was originally developed as a U.S. Navy basic trainer and completed its maiden flight on 6 April 1953. Nearly 500 were built. Early models of the Trojan were tested at Edwards beginning shortly after the plane’s first flight in 1949. A . . . — — Map (db m115107) HM
The two-seat T-33 was developed from the single-seat F-80 fighter by lengthening the fuselage slightly more than three feet to accommodate a second cockpit. It was originally designated TF-80C and made its first flight in March 1948. It quickly . . . — — Map (db m115108) HM
The F-102 was developed from the Convair XF-92 delta wing research aircraft of the late 1940s and the prototype made its initial flight in October 1953 at Edwards AFB. It became operational with the Air Defense Command in 1956. At the peak of . . . — — Map (db m115469) HM
The medal of honor is the highest U.S. military decoration awarded to individuals who, while serving in the U.S. armed services, have distinguished themselves by conspicuous gallantry and courage at the risk of life, above and beyond the call . . . — — Map (db m115091) WM
The Beech C-45 was the Army Air Force version of the Beech Aircraft Corporation’s Model B-18S commercial transport. The popular “Beech 18” also appeared as the AT-7 and AT-11 bombing and navigation trainers (Navy designation SNB-1/SNB-2), and the . . . — — Map (db m115110) HM
A sister ship of the X-1,
first aircraft to exceed the speed of sound.
This ship is the second of three
X-1 aircraft and was flight tested in 1946.
After extensive modification
of wings, canopy,
and fuel system, it was
redesignated . . . — — Map (db m294335) HM
Researchers flew the X-29 to explore the use of advanced composite materials in aircraft construction, variable-camber wing surfaces, forward-swept wings with a thin supercritical airfoil, close-coupled canards, and digital fly-by-wire controls. The . . . — — Map (db m128307) HM
Fairchild Republic Company’s two-place night/adverse weather A-10 began flight tests at Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB in May 1979. It was converted by Fairchild from one of six pre-production single place A-10s built in 1975. It . . . — — Map (db m115111) HM
The Corsair II was designed to meet a 1963 Navy requirement for a light attack plane to replace the A-4. The Navy’s A-7A made its first flight in September 1965. Two months later, the Air Force settled on the A-7 as a low-cost way to provide . . . — — Map (db m115113) HM
Two built by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) as Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) with Short Take Off and Landing ability. First flight 26 Aug 1975, landing at Edwards AFB. Pioneered supercritical wing on large aircraft; advanced airlift state . . . — — Map (db m115466) HM
The F-100 was the USAF’s first operational aircraft capable of flying faster than the speed of sound (760 mph) in level flight. The prototype YF-100A made its initial flight on 25 May 1953 and the first production aircraft was completed in October . . . — — Map (db m115496) HM
In February 1980, General Dynamics made a proposal for an
F-16 with a radically-modified wing shape. The project was known
as SCAMP (Supersonic Cruise and Maneuvering Program). The
delta wing was to be of a cranked-arrow shape with a total . . . — — Map (db m242294) HM
Rand District Cemetery first established in January 1896 with the burial
of William Davis who was shot and killed in a gambling dispute in Randsburg.
Rand District Cemetery has been servicing the towns of Johannesburg,
Randsburg, Red . . . — — Map (db m298003) HM
Established December 1896 with the burial of William Davis,
who was shot and killed in a gambling dispute in Randsburg.
The Cemetery is the final resting place of many pioneers
of the District whose headstones and the location of . . . — — Map (db m159553) HM
The King Solomon Mine here in Johannesburg had lots of gold pulled out of this mine and some speculate
that it may be an extension of the Butte Mine over the hill in Randsburg. Historically the site has been
associated with the Rand Mining . . . — — Map (db m181227) HM
General Contractor, vintage aircraft re-builder, owner and collector. Al was born in December 1930 and was raised in South Pasadena and moved to Mojave after service in U.S. Army in 1956. He first came to Mojave in 1947 with his father Homer Hansen . . . — — Map (db m233802) HM
In Memory of
Charles Thomas “Chuck” Coleman
1963-2024
Chuck Coleman was a highly respected and accomplished pilot and engineer in the aviation industry, with over thirty-five years of experience as an aerospace engineer, ATP pilot, . . . — — Map (db m279759) HM
This jet was used by NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center, Edwards, California as the Landing Systems Research Aircraft (LSRA) in 1993 and 1994 to flight test space shuttle landing gear and braking systems. It was modified with a main landing . . . — — Map (db m121448) HM
This display commemorates the Mojave area's rich mining history, which began with the discovery of gold on the Little Buttes north of the present day Silver Queen Road.
That discovery by W.W.Bowers was followed by many others in the region, . . . — — Map (db m53129) HM
"Josie" was born on June 18, 1875 in Silver City, New Mexico to Harvey and Harriet Whitehall. At 19 years old, she taught school in Pinos Altos, New Mexico. She married Herbert Hall Bishop on March 4, 1896, bearing him seven children. The Bishops . . . — — Map (db m78560) HM
Lt Col Richard Glenn "Dick" Rutan USAF (ret)
MISTY 40
July 1, 1938 - May 3, 2024
“If you can dream it - you can do it!”
Dick Rutan’s life was marked by courage, innovation, and a passion for flight. His contributions to . . . — — Map (db m279747) HM
Just west of this point was the Southern Pacific terminus for the Twenty-Mule-Team Borax wagons that operated between Death Valley and Mojave from 1884 to 1889. The route ran from the Harmony Borax Mining Company works, later acquired by the . . . — — Map (db m123891) HM
The Mojave Airport was created in 1935 as part of the Kern County Airport System. The fledgling airport was built to serve gold mines near Mojave. At the outset of World War Two, the airport became a Marine Corps Air Station that trained Marine . . . — — Map (db m53126) HM
Far better it is to dare mighty things...even through checkered by failure, than to rank with those timid spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.
Theodore . . . — — Map (db m53128) HM
In dedication to the pilots, air crews and personnel of Mojave, who trained, served and gave their lives in the service of this country, especially to those who valiantly fought for freedom in the great battles of World War II and Korea.
Semper . . . — — Map (db m53280) HM
Voyager Aircraft
The 1/5 scale flying model of Voyager was built by Glenn Dunlap of Cincinnati, Ohio, and donated to the Mojave Transportation Museum Foundation in 2009.
The original Voyager, designed by Burt Rutan and built at Mojave . . . — — Map (db m53127) HM
Wen Painter was a pilot who exemplified a dedication to community service on the ground and in the air.
Wen served as a NACA and NASA Dryden engineer for decodes, on projects that included the Northrop HL-10 lifting body, which helped . . . — — Map (db m233800) HM
Born in Bakersfield, Mojave residents since 1948, always giving of himself to make Mojave and East Kern County a better place. He was a founding member of the East Kern-Antelope Historical Society, a founding member of the Mojave Transportation . . . — — Map (db m305703) HM
In memory of
the crew of the YB-49
"Flying Wing"
who lost their lives in the
pursuit of aviation:
Daniel H. Forbes Jr. ·
Glen W. Edwards ·
Charles H. LaFountain ·
Edward L. Swindell ·
Clare C. Leser
June 5, 1948
. . . — — Map (db m294017) HM
The El Paso Mountain Range holds some of the richest gold-bearing dirt in the region. Goler Gulch, Benson Gulch, Reed
Gulch, Bonanza Gulch/Last Chance Canyon, Red Rock Canyon, and many other canyons. Enjoy the beauty of this
historical area! . . . — — Map (db m270203) HM
In the late 1800's, the old timers dug for gold along this gulch.
Named Fiddler's Gulch for the many miners playing their fiddles at
the close of the day.
Because of the lack of water in the desert, the miners used a
machine called a . . . — — Map (db m270173) HM
The historic Rand Desert Museum commemorates Harold Beck - Inventor and
Prospector. He was one of the original owners of
the Rand Desert Museum and lived in
Randsburg. He was also one of the first to mass-market Dry Washers. His Dry Washers . . . — — Map (db m270029) HM
The Yellow Aster, or Rand Mine, was discovered in April, 1895 by Singleton Burcham and Mooers. The town of Randsburg quickly developed followed by the supply town of Johannesburg in 1896. Both names were adopted from the profusion of minerals . . . — — Map (db m50461) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m78578) HM
After the famous Yellow Aster Gold Mine was discovered up the road in 1895,
many other smaller but rich lode mines were also located. The Consolidated
Gold Mine was one of them! This is a hard-rock mine and the gold ore
needed to be blasted . . . — — Map (db m269994) HM
This historic building first served as a Steam Bakery owned and operated by Henry Rott, a German immigrant who was a baker
and confectioner in Randsburg from 1898 to 1904. In 1904 Henry Rott sold one half of his business to a Mrs. W. O. . . . — — Map (db m270430) HM
Yellow Aster Mining & Milling Co. owned 49 patented and 6
unpatented claims. It was the principal source of gold in Kern County and had
an output of $12,000,000 most of which was mined and sold at pre-1934
prices. The mine was operated . . . — — Map (db m270190) HM
North of this sign is the famous Yellow Aster Gold Mine in Randsburg. Three friends, Fredrick Mooers, John Singleton
and Charles Burcham discovered the Yellow Aster Gold Mine in 1895 and so was the beginning of the famous Rand
Mining District! . . . — — Map (db m270166) HM
One of the richest silver strikes occurred in the community of Red Mountain. The Kelly and Grady claims started a silver boom which brought prosperity to this region in the 1900's. In one 60 day period over $170,000 in silver was mined from a hole . . . — — Map (db m158901) HM
History:
Hagen canyon was named by German
immigrant Rudolph Hagen. He acquired the land you
see by buying mining claims in the area. He
eventually had a small outpost in the Ricardo
Campground area where he built a diner with a . . . — — Map (db m221411) HM
The Grumman F11 F Tiger (later
F-1 1 A) was a new-technology,
supersonic follow-on to the F9F
Cougar/Panther fighters. The
Tiger went to the Fleet in 1957
but served actively only until the
Spring of 1961; the type
remained in training . . . — — Map (db m272477) HM
This is the first McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18A Hornet,
first flown in November 1978.
The F/A-18 has been and continues to
be a major asset in Naval Aviation.
Starting with the 1986 strikes against
Libya and currently with the fight . . . — — Map (db m272404) HM
A more sophisticated follow-on to the MK III "Fat Man"
implosion-type device that was detonated over Nagasaki on 9 August
1945 to force an end to World War II. This was the first production
model. It was in service stockpiled from 1949 to . . . — — Map (db m153188) HM
China Lake is one of the nation’s premier weapons laboratories. Established in 1943, China Lake supports Naval aviation and warfighter requirements, and will continue to arm the Fleet into the future. The Station conceived of and developed rockets . . . — — Map (db m168225) HM
Designed as a mid-sized business jet by North
American Aviation, its name was derived from the
similarity of the shape of its wing and tail to the
F-86 Sabre jet, also designed by North American.
The aircraft on display came to the . . . — — Map (db m272476) HM
Immaculate Heart
of Mary Catholic
Church, established
Aug 12, 2015.
This building once
housed a Masonic
Lodge and the
church pictured below.
Wayside Community Chapel
Church, built in 1934 from land
donated by the LA Rescue . . . — — Map (db m186316) HM
Visited by Padre Garces (1776) while following Old Horse Thief Trace later known as Joe Walker Trail. Fremont stopped here (1844). The famished Jayhawk Party (1850) found water here while struggling from Death Valley to Los Angeles. Still later was . . . — — Map (db m156684) HM
Willow Springs was a stage station on the Los Angeles-Havilah Stage Lines, 1864-1874. From here light traffic went through Oak Creek Pass via Tehachapi to Havilah and Kernville; heavy traffic went northwest to the Inyo mines, or via Jawbone Canyon . . . — — Map (db m156685) HM
Willow Springs opened in 1953, and was purchased by Bill Huth in 1962. Under Huth's ownership,
the track grew to include the Streets of Willow and Horse Thief Mile road courses, a paved oval track, a
dirt oval track, and a karting circuit, in . . . — — Map (db m250424) HM
A monument to determination and perserverance, William Henry "Burro" Schmidt took thirty-eight years to hand dig this half-mile long tunnel -- completed in 1936.
Born in Rhode Island, January 30, 1871.
Died in Ridgecrest, Calif., January 27, . . . — — Map (db m114470) HM
