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| Landmark #963-2 | San Bernardino County | Visited: December 17, 2011 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A plaque marking the ancient path through the Mojave Desert used by the Mohave tribe to reach the sea! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: Long ago, Mohave Indians used a network of pathways to cross the Mojave Desert. In 1826, American trapper Jedediah Smith used their paths and became the first non-Indian to reach the California coast overland from mid-America. The paths were worked into a military wagon road in 1859. This “Mojave Road” remained a major link between Los Angeles and points east until a railway crossed the desert in 1885.
OTHER TIDBITS: When white immigrants started to use the trail, they faced ambushes by the displaced natives at oases, and for this reason, the US Army had to be stationed at each one! The route important for freight and as a means of reaching the sea, but unlike many other famous trails, the Mojave Road never became a modern highway, largely because safer, wetter routes were discovered! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Midway Rest Area Northbound I-15 30 mi NE of Barstow, CA 92311 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~147mi (237km) — 2.5hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |