Mojave Desert History
(Please note as this page is being revised the previous contents are temporarily listed at the bottom of this page)Introduction
by Walter Feller
History is a record or narrative aggregate of past events. In human history, specifically, the history of the Mojave Desert, we can arrange these events in a chronological order grouping them into more generalized periods according to the people during these times. We identify these people through their concerns and activities in general or specific locations. These points of historical interest become the geographic focus in history as well as events that have happened enroute between these locations.
History in these categories overlap. Few periods are defined with a start and finish, some haven't yet come to an end and are still evolving (ie: Desert Indians). The best that can be done is to assemble these histories so they can not only be studied in a chronological order, but also sideways (so to speak), according to theme, as somewhat simultaneous events and occurances in a variety of regional locations.
Periods in Mojave Desert History
The Mojave has been used by many groups through time. During this time climatic changes have taken place and conditions have become ...Gold Mines & Boomtown History
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, usually (but not always) from an ...Military History
The camps and outposts of the Mojave Desert and the men and stories behind them.Important Names in Mojave History
Brief biographies and character profiles of individuals noted in Mojave Desert historyMojave Desert History by Area
Death Valley History Overview
A collection of articles relating to Death Valley in history.History in the Mojave Preserve
Native Americans such as the Chemehuevi and the Mohave understood the area as a homeland and a transportation corridor. Early Europeans and Euro-Americans viewed the ...A Brief History of the Cajon Pass
The Cajon Pass is the valley that separates the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountain ranges. At one time these ...Death Valley Ghost Towns
The who, what, when, where and why of Death Valley ghost towns.Historic Roads, Trails & Transportation Routes
Timeline
Feature Books, Diaries and Journals
Ballarat ghost town
Soda Lake (dry)
Also see:
Ghost Towns
Desert ghost towns are ghost towns simply for one reason; money. If the money isn't there, there is no reason for people to stay. ...
Gold Mines
Gold is where you find it. Of course it helps if you know about where to look. ...
Mountain Meadows Massacre
In the early morning hours of September 7th, a party of local Mormon settlers and Indians attacked and laid seige to the encampment. For reasons not fully understood, ...