You are hereGold in the California Desserts
Gold in the California Desserts
In the past the area with the Tropico Mine and Gold Camp offered a gold tour and also had a museum that could be visited, however this was closed down. The Gold Camp used to be made up of buildings from the area that got moved to the area so they would not be harmed from destruction of time as well as additional elements. The Mining museum also had some of the most beautiful gold ore samples to be seen. This area used to have gold panning contests and treasure hunts in the spring. There have been a good number of well known of Californians that have done mining in this area such as Former Governor Goodwin Knight as well as his father whom ran the Elephant Eagle Mine during the 1930’s and there was a claim on this area until Governor Knight passed away. Another well known of man, by the name of Harvey Mudd, was also caught up the Cactus Queen Mine that was located on the North side of Willow Springs. This mine produced over 5 million dollars in gold and silver in just a matter of six years. Gem Hill is known to be one of the most preferred areas for collecting rock hounds in the desert. This area has petrified wood in it, agate, Jasper and opal.
Tips to be kept in mind when prospecting
The mines that can be found in the Rosamond Mojave region have produced over twenty three million dollars in silver and gold. The gold in this area is in quartz veins and some are up to four feet in width. In the past there has been some rich ore found on the surface in this area, however it is not known if any placer work has been done in this area however it would be reasonable to assume that there are probably a few placer deposits close by with rich surface float. It is always possible there just might be a big lode sitting right under the surface waiting to be found.
Tales of Gold Treasures
It is said that there is a treasure from the early days of the Spanish in California that has been sitting on a butte close to Mojave. This butte is off an old path and this could indicate that the people that left it there were probably lost or were pursued by the Indians of that time. Diverse artefacts have been found scattered around at the base of the butte in this area such as armour that belonged to the Spanish as well as Spanish coins from the 1600’s. It is possible that the butte was utilized as a landmark given that it is right off the old Borax Road which is right on the outside of Mojave.
