HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF THE UPPER MOJAVE DESERT
P. O. Box 2001, Ridgecrest, CA 93556
Vol. 22 No. 2 February 2007 ___________________________________________________________________________

FEBRUARY MEETING: DUMONT DUNES, RANDY BANIS

The Society's February meeting will feature Randy Banis speaking about the Dumont Dunes. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, February, 20 at 7:30 PM at the Maturango Museum.

Randy Banis is the editor of DeathValley.com and a resident of Leona Valley in the West Mojave desert. He is a life member of both the Death Valley '49ers and the Death Valley Natural History Association, and is also past President of the Southern California Land Rover club. Randy represents public access on the BLM's Ridgecrest Steering Committee, and served on the BLM's West Mojave route survey team in 2001-02. He is also active locally in the Friends of Jawbone.

In 2006 the BLM's Barstow Field Office formed the first Dumont Dunes Technical Review Team (TRT) and included Randy to represent those who visit the dunes for activities other than motor sports, such as rock hounds, photographers, history buffs, and hikers.

In the immediate vicinity of Dumont Dunes are many historic sites important to the Death Valley region. Some of these sites include Salt Spring, the Salt Hills, Amargosa Canyon, the Harry Wade Exit, and the famous T&T Railroad.

Randy will present a review of these sites, highlighted by slides and stories. He will also discuss briefly some issues facing the new Dumont Dunes TRT.

The HSUMD meets on the third Tuesday of the month. All are welcome to attend. For more information on this or future meetings, call Society President Bill Nevins at 375-4764. Andrew Sound

Future Speakers and other Events:

February 17, 2007 Ham and Pancake Brunch at Masonic Lodge
March 17, 2007 Yard sale at USO Building
March 20, 2007 General Meeting: Litha Mattis: Going to school in Brown
April trip Boron Open Pit Mine
April 17, 2007 General Meeting with Mike Patterson on Cerro Gordo
April 21, 2007 USO Show at USO Bldg.Big Band Express
May trip Cerro Gordo
May 15, 2007 Annual Dinner, USO Bldg: Pat Farris, An Evening with Joe Fox

USO BUILDING ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE REPORT

The basic refurbishment of the building is well on its way to be completed. We now want to finalize our plans to complete the interior and would like to have our members' input on what design features, materials and colors the building should have.

The recommendations received from the members/community are important to ensure this project is successful. If you are a member and are interested in being part of this architectural committee please contact Don Joe McKernan (375-7146) or Bill Nevins (375-4764). Our first meeting will be February 21, 11:30 AM at the USO Building. Bill Nevins

USO BUILDING'S RESTORATION FUND-RAISING UPDATE

Thank you, Society membership, for your great support of our events that have been so successful. Our recent "Chili Cook-Off" added $1,004 for continued USO building projects.

Even if you aren't visible, we are well aware of your donations and support in many ways. Just your support conversation with others helps assure our goal.

Please add these events to your calendar. See our "Sweetheart Ring" article elsewhere in this newsletter. Get your tickets early and join us for an exciting "Pancake/Ham brunch" on Saturday, February 17, at the Masonic Lodge, 625 N. Norma, 9 to 12 noon. Adult tickets are $8.00, $4.00 for children.

Our Yard Sale will be at the USO Building on Saturday, March 17. We'll be there on Friday, March 16 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) to accept your donations. Call Kathy at 375-2643 if you have questions.

We can hardly wait for a Big Band Express "USO Show" in the USO Building in April. Even if many of us can no longer jitterbug, Jim McLane promises plenty of enjoyment. More information next month.

We have a sponsor for one of the three rear security doors needed for the building. The reduced price is $1700 per door. As with the windows, your inscription on a plaque will be on site.
Kathy Armstrong

"SWEETHEART DIAMOND RING" DONATION/RAFFLE

Chris Cane-Proesser of the Historical Society's fund-raising committee has reported that Tom Adams of Adams' Jewelers has donated a "Sweetheart Diamond Ring" in support of the Society's restoration project of the old USO Building.

Chances in limited numbers and for a limited time are now on sale for $25.00 each at the Flower Shop, Lana Jean's, Red Rock Books, Treasures to Cherish and from members of the Historical Society's fund-raising committee. Call Chris at 793-0741 for more information about this prize ring. Kathy Armstrong

IT'S MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL TIME AGAIN

As noted previously, our membership year is the calendar year, so if you haven't already renewed for 2007, it's time to send your check to our Treasurer, Fred Weals, at Box 2001, Ridgecrest, CA 93556. Family memberships are $20 per year, business memberships are $30 per year. Thanks for being timely.

OLD BUILDING SEARCH

The Historical Society board is interested in identifying the oldest buildings in Indian Wells Valley. If you have information, please contact Fred Weals at 375-9485 or send him an e-mail at fhweals@mchsi.com

LOCAL HISTORY UNVEILED

Recent demolition work on West Ridgecrest Blvd. brought local old timers a touch of nostalgia. The eastern part of the building being torn down, according to Pat Burke, was first a post office, then Burke's Meat Company, Karl's Meat Co., Ridgecrest A-Go-Go and finally J. D's. Stories appeared in both the News-Review and the Daily Independent.

HELP IS NEEDED FOR PLANNED JOE FOX BOOK

Board member Fred Weals is in the process of preparing for publication a book of selected Joe Fox newspaper columns from the 1960's and 70's. Fred could use some help in this endeavor. Please give him a call at 375- 9485, if you feel you can be of some assistance.

HELP NEEDED FOR SIX SEEP TRIPS

The Sand Canyon Environmental Education Program (SEEP) will have four trips in March and two in May. Help is needed to present materials and guide the students in the historical part of the program. Give John Di Pol a call at 375-2610 if would you like to participate in helping give our local youngsters a great experience. Fresh air and congenial companionship are part of the half day experience

HISTORICAL ARTICLE

(Following is an article prepared by our great local historian member, John Di Pol, drawn from his personal library. Ed).

Highway History in Western Indian Wells Valley

The modern highway system coursing north and south along the base of the eastern Sierras through the IWV has a rich and varied history. It was, as its origin, a trade route over the ages for resident and itinerant Native Americans and the confluence with the nearby Walker Pass route enabling trade with their brethren in the San Joaquin Valley and coastal regions.

The first Anglo-American to travel in this region may have been the famous mountain man Jedediah Smith in 1826. However the first recorded passage was by Joseph Walker in 1834 when he traversed Walker Pass from west to east, then turned north through the Owens Valley to rejoin his exploration party on the Humboldt River. Walker made additional crossings of the Pass in 1843 and 1845. The 1848 Mexican-American War, the 1849 gold rush, statehood for California in 1850 and the Comstock lode discoveries in 1859 in Nevada generated a flood of prospectors into the desert areas east of the Sierra Nevada mountains. By 1860 a wagon and stage road wound its way up from Los Angeles to Inyo country, crossing the IWV along the base of the Sierras, following the ancient trail.

The 1860's and 70's saw the passing of many prospectors through the Indian Wells Valley. Major silver and gold mines were established at Coso, Cerro Gordo, Panamint, Darwin plus others in the Inyo and Argus mountains. The north - south Los Angeles to Inyo road in western IWV was a principal "thoroughfare". The great silver mines at Cerro Gordo, high up in the Inyos, were having difficulty moving their bullion output to the major market in Los Angeles. In 1873 the freighter Remi Nadeau came to their rescue. He improved the roads and way-stations and moved the bullion down from Cerro Gordo, around Owens Lake to Olancha, then south on the Los Angeles-Inyo road through Little Lake, the Indian Wells Valley and Mojave to Los Angeles. This route became known as the historic "Bullion Road". In reverse, he carried up a great volume and diversity of supplies from Los Angeles to the Inyo mines. This trade: bullion down, supplies up, was of enormous economic value in transforming Los Angeles from a dusty pueblo to a thriving, growing city.

The next big boost to the "Bullion Road" was the construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, 1908 - 1913. The line of the aqueduct down from the Owens Valley generally followed the route of the Bullion Road, which served as the principal route for movement of material and personnel. Improvements were made to the road (but still dirt and dusty) and the construction of a railroad from Mojave up to Owens Valley greatly helped the logistic efforts. At the same time came the automobile!

In response to pressures from automobile owners for better roads, the State of California floated a bond issue in 1919 for highway construction. This included improvements of the route from Los Angeles to Bishop. The Lancaster to Mojave segment was paved in 1922. Other segments north in IWV to the Inyo County line were paved in 1927 and 1929. The final segment, through Red Rock Canyon, was paved in 1931. This stretch from Los Angeles to the IWV where it merged into U.S. Hwy. 395 near the Inyo County line was designated State Hwy. 23. It generally followed the old Bullion Road, with some realignment in the IWV to more favorable terrain. In this same time frame, highway improvements were continuing on U.S. 395 up into the Owens Valley to Bishop. There the road split; Hwy. 395 to the northwest, U.S. Hwy. 6 starting and continuing north into Nevada and points beyond. In 1937 U.S. 6 was extended south from Bishop to Los Angeles and cosigned with Highways 395 and 23. With these highways now paved, traffic through the IWV increased. Further improvements were made to deal with heavy rain runoffs from cloudbursts in the Sierra canyons. The flood from Indian Wells and Sand Canyons in 1945 had severely damaged the Freeman Wash bridge and sections of the roadway. The establishment of the U.S. Navy's major research and development center at China Lake in 1943 and growth of Ridgecrest generated more traffic. In 1958 and 1960 highway improvements included a new bridge and culverts in Red Rock Canyon culminating in a 4-lane roadway and elimination of all creaked crossings.

In 1963: changes in signage. U.S. 6 was shortened back to Bishop. U.S. 395 stayed the same. State Hwy. 23 was redesignated as State Hwy. 14 which now starts at its connection point with Hwy. 395 at Brady's Station just NW of Inyokern and runs 117 miles south to its junction with Interstate 5 in Los Angeles County. Further highway improvements were made in the ensuing years to where the present line of Hwys. 395/14 through the IWV is a mixture of 4-lane expressway and 2-lane road.

What does the future hold? The 2-lane segment of Hwy. 14 in the IWV starts at the north end of Red Rock Canyon where it transitions into a 2-lane road and runs 16 miles north to one mile beyond the Hwy. 178 Inyokern turnoff and becomes a 4-lane expressway again. CalTrans proposes to upgrade this 16 mile 2-lane segment into a 4-lane expressway. Engineering, archaeological and historic surveys are underway, some completed. Presumably money is in the pipeline. When will construction start? Answer: When we see the exhaust from bulldozers and the dirt flying.
John Di Pol

Ref: SR 14 Improvements, Kern County - Historic Resources Evaluation Report. CalTrans, 2002.
Archaeological Evaluation, SR 14 Project, CalTrans, 2006.
Silver Seekers, Remi Nadeau, 1999