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Historic

Historic places

55 posts

Law’s Spring

Law’s Spring

Law's Spring is a rare perennial water source in the high ponderosa country south of the Grand Canyon. Native Americans knew it long before any wagon rolled through. Petroglyphs still mark the basalt walls around the tank. For a few decades in the mid-1800s, it became a critical

Fort Independence Soldier's Camp

Fort Independence Soldier's Camp

Back in 1862, Owens Valley was not quite as peaceful as it is today. White settlers were just moving in and starting up ranches. Prospectors were combing the hills in search of that elusive next big strike. The Paiute, Shoshone, and Kawaiisu people who lived here didn’t appreciate being

Inscription Fork of Lemoigne Canyon

Inscription Fork of Lemoigne Canyon

Ryan Mining Camp

Ryan Mining Camp

In 2013, I joined a Searles Valley Historical Society field trip to see the well-preserved borax mining camp of Ryan in Death Valley. Having never been in the mining camp before, I jumped at the chance to visit. Francis Marion Smith founded the Pacific Coast Borax Company in 1890. He

Coso Ghost Camp

Coso Ghost Camp

We were lucky enough to be invited to China Lake Naval Weapon Center to do some volunteer restoration work on the historic Coso ghost town site. After work, we checked out several other sites and spent the night on base. We had a fantastic time!

Willis Well Petroglyphs

Willis Well Petroglyphs

Willis Well is an interesting place. For centuries, Native Americans camped in the spring (really just a seep). Numerous Desert Archaic petroglyphs cover the boulders near the spring. They are mostly abstract designs. Their meanings were lost in antiquity.

Rosalie (Valley Wells)

Rosalie (Valley Wells)

Just off Interstate 15, in the shadow of Clark Mountain, lie the scattered ruins of Rosalie, also known as Valley Wells. Rosalie's tale began in 1898 when the Ivanpah Smelting Company of Los Angeles recognized the potential of nearby copper deposits. They sank two wells at a site