Discover the History of Daggett California Almost A Ghost Town

Daggett, California, was founded in the late 1800s and was initially named Calico Junction. The town was renamed in 1883 to Daggett by the owner of the Bismarck Silver Mine, John R. Daggett. A stamping mill was constructed near the Mojave River bed around 1884. 20-mule teams were used to haul the ore from the Calico Hills to the mill for processing. From there, it was shipped out on the Southern Pacific Railroad. Many of Daggett’s buildings are abandoned, but a few hardy souls still call Daggett home. While not a ghost town, Daggett is heading that way. Here are some points of interest to visit while visiting Daggett, CA

Daggett’s Railways Past and Present

Two narrow-gauge railroads eventually replaced the mule teams: The Borate and Daggett Railroad – Francis Marion Smith, also known as “Borax Smith,” founded the Borate and Daggett Railroad. The 11-mile narrow gauge RR ran from Daggett to the mining camp of Borate in the Calico mountains. The RR had two steam locomotives, “Marion” and “Francis”. Trains ran until 1907 when mining operations ceased and the Railroad was abandoned.

The Daggett-Calico Railroad was a narrow gauge railroad that ran from present-day Calico Ghost Town to the stamp mills at Daggett Mountain. The Calico RR had two locos called Uncle Dan and Emil. The line was abandoned in 1903 after when there was a collision between two locomotives. Visitors to Calico Ghost Town can take a short ride on the Calico & Odessa Railroad and see abandoned silver mines and equipment. But Daggett’s two narrow gauge railroads are long gone.

Alf’s Blacksmith Shop Daggett, California

Alf’s Blacksmith Shop in Daggett was built around 1890 after a fire destroyed the original building. Alf’s Blacksmith Shop built the wagons to haul the ore from the mines. In 1894, the mule teams were briefly replaced by “Old Dinah,” a steam tractor.  The steam tractor was unreliable, so the mule teams were returned to service until a narrow gauge railroad was built. The interior of Alf’s shop still has the original equipment, and the walls are covered with historic artifacts. Alf’s Blacksmith Shop is currently off-limits to the public and protected by a double fence. The yard surrounding the shop has a collection of mining equipment—address: Alf’s Blacksmith Shop 33678 1st St Daggett California.

Daggett Garage: Engine Shed – Automobile Garage

This rusty sheet metal building has been in service for over 100 years. The Daggett Garage building was originally built in the mining camp of Marion on the northeast shore of Calico Dry Lake. It was used as an engine shed for the Borate & Daggett Railroad and Calico Railroad. After the railroads closed, the building was moved to Daggett and was used as a horse stable. Later, it became Daggett’s automobile garage and, finally, a grocery store. Today, the building is used for storage. There is a plaque outside the building describing the history of the garage—address: 35565 Santa Fe Street, Daggett, CA.

Stone Hotel in Daggett, California

The Stone Hotel was originally a two-story building with a glass-domed lobby known as the Railroad Hotel. The hotel was built in 1875 and converted to a one-story building in 1908 after a fire destroyed much of the building. The hotel was renamed the Stone Hotel, reflecting its robust construction with stone walls that are two feet thick, providing it with the durability to survive into the present day. Notable guests to the hotel included prospector Death Valley Scotty, Lieutenant Governor of California John Daggett, and John Muir’s daughter, Helen.  A fence surrounds the building to keep out vandals. Address: Santa Fe Street, Daggett, CA. (adjacent to the Desert Market.)

People’s General Store Daggett

People’s general store would look right at home in the Ghost Town of Bodie. The old general store adjacent to the Stone Hotel has seen better years. The building is in a state of decay and in need of a major restoration. These two buildings are all left of Daggett’s once-booming downtown district. In its heyday, Daggett had several stores (one is still open), saloons, a lumber yard, a blacksmith shop, a railroad depot, and several hotels, including the old Stone Hotel.

Desert Market Daggett’s Only Store

The Desert Market in Daggett, California, has been a cornerstone of the small town since it opened as Ryerson’s General Store in 1908. This market exemplifies the resilience and adaptability of small-town America, particularly in desert communities along Route 66. As the only store in Daggett, Desert Market is a local essential. Stop by to pick up a lotto ticket—you might strike it rich, just like a few prospectors did in nearby Calico Hills! Desert Market Address: 35596 Santa Fe Street, Daggett, California.

Ski Lodge Roof House Daggett, California

This home was built around 1923 and was once an office for a land development company designed to attract travelers’ attention and interest them in purchasing lots in the area. The Ski Lodge Roof House in Daggett, California, represents a piece of architectural and historical significance along Route 66. Ski Lodge Roof House. Plans have been proposed to bring it to restore the house to its original purpose as a Route 66 visitors center. However, the building is currently private property. Location: Corner of National Trails Highway and Daggett-Yermo Road.

20-mule Team Wagon

Alf’s Blacksmith Shop in Daggett built wagons like the 20-mule team wagon, now on display at the Borax Museum in Death Valley. From 1883 to 1889, twenty-mule teams transported borax out of Death Valley using large wagons. Each team consisted of 18 mules and two horses and journeyed 165 miles across the Mojave Desert to the nearest railroad spur in Mojave, California. You can also find a reproduction wagon with a 20-mule team at the Borax visitor center in Boron, California.

Old Dinah  Steam Tractor

The old Dinah steam tractor was designed to haul ore from the Calico Mountains to Daggett. The steam tractor’s boiler exploded during its first use and was abandoned on the trail. Old Dinah had a second chance at life in Death Valley but broke down on its first trip. Today, the restored old Dinah steam tractor is displayed at the Borax Museum in Furnace Creek inside Death Valley National Park.

Where is Daggett, California

Daggett is ten miles east of Barstow, California, on Interstate 40. Calico Ghost Town is seven miles north of Daggett on Daggett-Yermo Road. As you can see, Daggett has a rich history, from a booming mining camp to Ghost Town. This little desert town is worth a look while visiting Calico Ghost Town. https://daggetthistoricalsociety.org/

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