Curiosities of the California Desert: Historic, Offbeat & Forgotten Attractions by Heller Claudia

Author:Heller, Claudia [Heller, Claudia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing Inc.
Published: 2015-10-04T16:00:00+00:00

The 1897 Santa Barbara Church in Randsburg burned down soon after it was constructed. It was rebuilt in 1904. It is probably the most photographed structure in the old mining town.

One favorite draw is the 1904 soda fountain and the “Black Bart” banana split dessert offered at the general store. Belly up to the counter with a view of the working old malt machines or choose to sit at the tables where you are likely to be joined by hordes of dirt bikers of all ages. Across Butte Avenue is the White House Saloon, still a favorite stopover for a drink, a meal and people watching. There are gift shops, many run by bearded desert dwellers; a mining museum; and, the oddity of the area, the old jail, which offers a coveted photo op.

The mines of the area have produced over one million ounces of gold. Today, the gold-mining activities have been replaced by tourist shops selling antiques. Part-time prospectors and off-roaders stop in town for food and a rest. Visitor friendly, there is a local park in the heart of town with picnic tables and restrooms.

Gold was discovered at Rand Mine near the site in 1895, and a mining camp quickly formed. The camp was named Rand Camp, and both the mine and the camp were named after a gold-mining region in South Africa. The first post office at Randsburg opened in 1896.

A plaque at the town jail erected by E Clampus Vitus reads:

RANDSBURG , CALIFORNIA . Gold was discovered on the slope of Rand Mountain in 1895. From this discovery the Town of Randsburg sprang up almost overnight. By 1899 the town had over 3500 residents. Randsburg boasted a 300-stamp mill and conservative estimates are that $30,000 in gold was taken out of the mines in the area during the town’s boom years. From 1875 until about 1933 the Yellow Aster Mine produced almost $375,000,000 worth of gold at the old gold prices of about $20.00 per ounce. The bar and the White House Saloon were host to many a miner, cowboy, farmer, Indian and Clamper during the peak of the mining district. Plaque dedicated on October 8, 1989, by John P. Squibob, Peter Lebeck, Slim Princess and Billy Holcomb Chapters of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus.

Randsburg is located on the west side of I-395 between Kramer Junction to the south and Ridgecrest to the north.

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