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 … [Read more...]
Discover Relaxing Tecopa Hot Springs Near Death Valley
Tecopa is a sleepy little desert town located in southeastern California. Tecopa is situated along The Old Spanish Trail, a trade route that connected Santa Fe, New Mexico, with Los Angeles. Tecopa was a rest stop for wagon trains traveling along the to California. In the early 20th century, the … [Read more...]
Day Trip: Exploring Chloride, Arizona: A Historic Mining Town
Chloride, Arizona, is about a 30-minute drive from Kingman, Arizona. The town's name comes from the silver chloride in the nearby hills. The town has a population of around 250 full-time residents, significantly fewer than the 2000-plus residents in the late 1800s. Founded in 1863, Chloride is … [Read more...]
Day Trip: Wildrose Charcoal Kilns, Death Valley National Park
The Wildrose Charcoal Kilns are a remote historical site in Death Valley National Park. These ten beehive-shaped masonry structures are a testament to the region's mining history and were constructed in 1877 by the Modock Consolidated Mining Company. They were used to produce charcoal for the mining … [Read more...]
A Day Trip to Remember: Jerome Ghost Town Attractions
Jerome Ghost Town, once notorious as one of the wildest towns in America, has now transformed into a vibrant hub for the arts, music, and culture, all while preserving its incredible history. Perched atop Cleopatra Hill, Jerome beckons as a perfect destination for a day trip or weekend getaway, … [Read more...]
Exploring the History of Calico Ghost Town: A Fun Day Trip
Calico Ghost Town is a historic town that survived the silver rush. It is one of the few remaining towns of the Old West and is now a California Historical Landmark and a San Bernardino County Park. Although it was once filled with miners, nowadays, the streets are packed with tourists eager to … [Read more...]
Explore the History of Goffs Schoolhouse in the Mojave Desert
The Mojave Desert Heritage Association is a captivating museum that displays the rich history of the Mojave Desert. It boasts an extensive collection of mining and railroad artifacts, vintage automobiles, Route 66 memorabilia, and military exhibits. The museum comprises two main buildings: Goffs … [Read more...]
Day Trip to Columbia State Historic Park California Gold Country
Columbia State Historic Park is a precious reminder of the California Gold Rush era and one of the well-preserved towns of the mid-19th Century. It was founded in 1850 by a small group of prospectors and quickly became California's second-largest city. Columbia thrived as a commercial and mining … [Read more...]
Death Valley Junction: A Ghost Town With an Opera House
Death Valley Junction started as a water stop along the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad, which operated from 1907 until 1940. In 1914, a 20-mile side spur was constructed from Death Valley Junction to the mines at Ryan, near Death Valley; the line operated until 1928 and carried Borax to the mill at … [Read more...]
Exploring the History of Little Lake, California Ghost Town
Little Lake, California, is a historic site in Inyo County, just off U.S. Route 395 at the southern end of Owens Valley. The town served as an important stop for travelers journeying between Los Angeles and the Eastern Sierra. It was established as a rest stop for travelers, especially after the Los … [Read more...]
California Gold Country Day Trips: Hidden Gems and Adventures
Explore the wonders of California's Gold Country and discover its hidden treasures, historic landmarks, beautiful scenery, and outdoor adventures. We follow the "Mother Lode Highway," also known as California State Highway 49, almost 300 miles from Sierra County through the foothills of the Sierra … [Read more...]
Randsburg California Ghost Town Day Trip Points of Interest
Randsburg is located just off Highway 395 in eastern Kern County, known as the Rand Area. At an elevation of 3,500 feet, the Living Ghost Town of Randsburg transports travelers back to California's early gold mining days. Randsburg once housed nearly 3,000 miners and their families. When gold was … [Read more...]
Goodsprings Pioneer Saloon Las Vegas Day Trip
Goodsprings, Nevada, was once a bustling gold mining town located 25 miles southwest of Las Vegas. Nowadays, the Pioneer Saloon is the only remaining bar from that era, where once there were seven bars. One of the town's few remaining buildings is the Goodsprings Schoolhouse, built in 1913 and … [Read more...]
Exploring the Remains of Rhyolite Ghost Town
Rhyolite Ghost Town is about a two-hour drive from Las Vegas or less than one hour from Furnace Creek in Death Valley. Rhyolite was once a mining town of 10,000 people with over 50 saloons and 18 grocery stores. Today, all left are the crumbling walls of a few buildings and the still-standing … [Read more...]
Keeler Ghost Town Owens Valley California
Keeler, California, was once a bustling town with a train station, a 300-foot pier, a public swimming pool, and several hotels. The city was initially called Hawley and later named Keeler after Julius M. Keeler. The town's existence was partly due to the Cerro Gordo mines high above the Inyo … [Read more...]