California Historic Route 66 Association

Historical Points of Interest

Courtesy Daggett Chamber of Commerce

Tour Map - good quality, 120K grayscale
Tour Map - low quality, 27K B/W
To print either map set your printer for landscape orientation.

 

1. Stone Hotel

The Hotel was built around 1875, some unverified sources claim as early as the 1860's. Originally a two-story structure with a balcony on the second floor and a large glass dome above the two-story lobby "that lighted the sky and acted as a beacon for weary travelers." It has survived three fires, the last in 1908 when the hotel was restored to the present one-story structure.

 

The hotel's two-foot thick walls are in excellent condition and the Stone Hotel is one of the few remaining structures in California giving an example of life for the early traveler on the High Desert. Travelers who reportedly frequented the Stone Hotel include Death Valley Scotty, Lt. Governor John Daggett (owner of multiple mines), John Muir (whose daughter was a resident of Daggett), and "Borax" Smith ( a true entrepreneur who single-handedly brought the borax industry into international importance).

 

2. People's General Store

It is seen in pictures taken in 1900 but no history is available. Seen as the smaller structure next to the Stone Hotel in the photo shown above.

 

3. Desert Market

Under a variety of proprietors since Daggett's early days, the original General Supply Store was destroyed in Daggett's 1908 fire. The store was rebuilt using a railroad carload of cement from the east, making the building the first fire-proof structure on the Mojave Desert. It was always a focal point for miners to convert gold dust into "spendable" currency. It is impossible to even estimate the total value of gold and silver which passed through this building. The store made history in 1953 when a safecracker obtained almost $1000 in gold dust and nuggets.

 

4. Alf's Blacksmith Shop

Rebuilt in 1894 after a fire, it was used to build Borax wagons to the same specification as the original Death Valley-Mojave wagons; an example is presently located north of the building. Daggett once had three blacksmith shops - others converted to automotive garages, but all's remained a Blacksmith Smith Shop and still holds a complete

set of blacksmith's equipment. Located next to the shop is the Alf's home. It was originally built in adobe construction (with addition) and is still the Alf's family home.

 

5. Trinity Assembly of God Church

First known as the "First Indian Church-Trinity Assembly of God," it was started in 1956 as a mission to the Navajo Indians. Both the church and the parsonage were built by the pastor and the parishioners.

 

 

 

6. Fout's Building

It was originally situated near the north end of Mojave River bridge on Daggett-Yermo Road and was used as a roundhouse for the narrow gauge railroad equipment operated by Waterlo Mill and Mining Company to haul ore from Calico. It was used as a livery stable for many years, it then became a gas-buggy garage and later a grocery store with a dirt floor. The building became Fout's Garage in the mid 1940's.

 

 

 

7. Community Bible Church

The Chapel and Sunday School rooms were dedicated in 1967. This was the first permanent home for a congregation who had held their services in various temporary facilities for many years.

 

 

 

8. Ski Lodge Roof House

It opened as a "Visitors Information Center" and gas station in about 1926. Late in the 1930's, it was the home of Ralph and Alice Salisbury. Alice Richards Salisbury is a renowned author and the Mojave Desert's "Poet Laureate." The house is now a private residence.

 

 

 

9. Assay Office

Originally in the east wing of the house.

 

10/11. Homes and Vintage Trees

The tall Cypress tree, located at 35601 National Trails Highway, exceeded roof top height in 1910 pictures. The top twelve feet were destroyed by hurricane force winds in 1975.

 

 

 

The house at 3517 National Trails Highway was built perhaps in the 1880's with the original picket fence still remaining.
The "Gnarled Old Cypress Tree" at 35623 National Trails Highway, was full grown in 1896. The original portion of the house dates to the 1880's and is still a private home. Pepper tree is a survivor from 19th century plantings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/13/14. Energy Generating Projects

 

 

 

Cool Water Generating Station,
Solar Two-Alternate-Renewable Energy Facilities, SEGS (Solar Energy/generation Station) I and II, and Cool Water Gasification Program.

 

 

 

15. Daggett Ditch/Minneola Canal

Started in 1902 to promote agriculture between Daggett and Minneola, six miles east. The dirt ditch carried water ten miles from upriver artesian wells to irrigate orchards and alfalfa fields. The concrete liner construction with redwood plank cover was started in 1917 and completed two years later to approximately one mile east of Daggett. The ditch carried 3000 feet of water to Daggett with a smaller canal from Daggett to Minneola.

 

16. American Borax Works Site

Outlines of settling ponds, used in borax processing, are still visible between Daggett Ditch and the Mojave River on the west side of Daggett-Yermo Road.

 

17. Daggett/Barstow Airport

Land was cleared and the Airways Beacon Site was established for the Los Angeles to Salt Lake City Air Mail Route in 1930. The first landing strip was constructed in 1931 and the present Flight Service Station building plus a low frequency radio range transmitter was built and installed in 1932. Transmitter number 13 operated continuously from 1932 until decommissioned in 1972 and donated to the Smithsonian Institute. The runways were paved in 1942 along with the addition of a completely modern lighting system to handle all modern aircraft. The airport has pilot training, refueling, storage, restoration and several industries.

 

18. Mojave River

Called the "Upside Down River" or the "Backward River,' it originates on the north slope of the San Bernardino Mountains, flows north and east to Death Valley Basin, on the surface at times and underground most of the time. Because of its sandy soil, it is capable of causing "flash floods" during cloudbursts. This under/on-top-of-the-ground river is the primary source of water for numerous

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