The 2021-2022 Second Friday Lecture Series continues...
Friday, December 9th at 7:00pm

"Old Spanish Trail from Mountain Springs, Nevada to Salt Creek"
by Steve Brown

Mexican pack mule trains, Manifest Destiny, mountain men, horse thieves, and the slave trade - during its brief history, the Old Spanish Trail, which was neither old nor Spanish, had a significant impact on the changing landscape of the West. History and Change on the Old Spanish Trail: Mountain Springs to Salt Creek will discuss the Old Spanish Trail, with special attention focused on the section of the trail from Mountain Springs, Nevada, over Emigrant Pass into Tecopa, China Ranch, and south through the Mojave to Salt Creek, the last stop for water before the treacherous Jornada del Muerto.

This multimedia presentation will present information on the history of the trail, as well as the changing landscape of historical trails, with video presentations from historians and naturalists featured in the PBS/FNX television documentary of the same name.

The presentation will be conducted by journalist, historian and media producer, Steve Brown, who served as writer and producer of the 2021 documentary, produced for the Amargosa Conservancy and the Oregon-California Trails Association with funding from California Humanities.

The documentary was recently screened at the Yucca Valley Film Festival and continues to be broadcast nationally on the FNX (First Nations Experience) network.

Photo credit: Kevin Marcus.

Sponsored by the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park and the Twentynine Palms Historical Society, this lecture will be held at the Old Schoolhouse Museum, 6760 National Park Drive in 29 Palms on Friday, December 9th, at 7 pm. The fee for the presentation is $5.00 paid at the door.

For further information call:
The Desert Institute
760-819-4714
or email [email protected]

Download a flyer with this season's schedule.

OLD TIMER OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Twentynine Palms Historical Society is pleased to announce the 2022 "Old Timer of the Year" honoree...

David Smith

David Smith is the child of William Smith, who homesteaded in 29 Palms in 1926. William married Thelma Mead in 1930, and a year later gave birth to Raymond, the first registered native birth in Twentynine Palms. Five more children arrived later, including Dave. This pioneer family worked together as a unit to keep the "ranch" running smoothly. Ranch work included water delivery, dairy, movie projection, ice cream parlor, snack bar, ice house, trailer park, and drive-in theater.

Smith's Ranch became a community gathering place. It was an oasis in the desert for early pioneers to socialize and be entertained. One of the buildings on the ranch served as a temporary school. A large building on the property served the community as a gym, square dance hall, skating rink, and dramatic productions.

Dave and Pat Smith, along with their family, have invested time and money to keep the ranch running and preserved its existence. The large hall was used in the mid-1990s for numerous community events, to include the installation of officers of the Chamber of Commerce and the Global Convention of Murals sponsored by Action Council 29. It is used today for community events, social gatherings, and private events. This building, a part of our heritage and history, exists because of Dave's perseverance and hard work. The facility has brought the community together and contributed to its betterment.

The Smith family has served this community for almost 100 years and five generations. It is with great pleasure that the 29 Palms Historical Society names Dave Smith as our 2022 Old Timer of the year Honoree.

For his contributions to recording area history and his continued support of the community, we are proud to honor David Smith as our 2022 Old Timer of the Year.

David will be a guest of honor at the Old Timers Gathering scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 at the museum, 6760 National Park Drive. Admission to the gathering is free, though donations are always accepted.

The "Old Timer of the Year" program was created to honor early or long-time residents who contributed significantly to the development or betterment of the Twentynine Palms' community. The program is intended to honor "everyday heroes" whose contributions and efforts over the years have largely gone unsung.

Everyone is welcome to come help us honor him during the 2022 Old Timers gathering at the Old Schoolhouse Museum on Saturday, October 15, 2022, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

The Old Schoolhouse Museum is located at 6760 National Park Drive in Twentynine Palms.

Now available in our gift shop

One With The Creosote – Memories of a Desert Child
With a blending of poetic imagery and journalistic prose, writer Chris Tiffany reflects on her childhood growing up on the Mojave Desert during the '50s and '60s, to reveal the origins of an interwoven connection to the natural world around her and its influence on her life's paths and perspectives.

Tiffany, a Santa Ynez Valley resident who grew up in Twentynine Palms, is daughter of the late Joe and Margot Spangenberg, who moved their family from San Pedro, California, to Twentynine Palms in 1953. The Oasis of Mara, at the northern entrance to Joshua Tree National Park, was her childhood playground

A graduate of the University of California, Irvine, Tiffany is a former director of the Santa Ynez Valley Family School, whose curriculum encourages exploration of the surrounding Los Padres National Forest as an extension of the classroom.

A 40-year resident of the Santa Ynez Valley, she is a past editor of the Women's Environmental Watch newsletter, and served as the initial publicist and program coordinator for Arts Outreach for many years.

She continues to enjoy frequent retreats to her cabin on the boundary of Joshua Tree National Park.

Willie Boy & The Last Western Manhunt
By Clifford E Trafzer

The saga of Willie Boy has survived over one hundred years and the captivating story remains alive today. American Indians throughout Southern California, the American Southwest, and Great Basin remember the story well. Willie Boy’s pursuit of redemption, his attempt to become culturally whole again, reflects a tragic journey that still resonates today, over a hundred years on from the deaths of William Mike and Carlota. In his journey to survive, Willie Boy challenged numerous lawmen eager to capture or kill him, prompting the posse, press, and citizens to demonize Willie Boy.

Clifford E. Trafzer is a Distinguished Professor of History and Costo Chair of Amerian Indian Affairs at the University of California, Riverside. He has published A Chemehuevi Song, Fighting Invisible Enemies, Strong Hearts & Healing Hands, and Shadows of Sherman Institute.

Remember Our Gift Shop When Looking For That Special Gift

You'll find Howard Pierce ceramics, sun purple glass, things made by local artists and craftspeople, and books and items of local interest in our gift shop. Be sure to stop by and do your shopping.

We're open 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday

Engraved Commemorative Bricks

Reserve yourself a place in history and help support the museum by purchasing an engraved brick.

Over the years many of our members and supporters have purchased Engraved Commemorative Bricks. The proceeds of these brick sales, beyond the actual cost of the bricks and engraving, goes to our general fund. The bricks are permanently displayed around our flagpole and in front of the Old Schoolhouse steps. Bricks are still available and you may contribute a brick in anyone's name, your company, or organization name.

Engraved bricks are $35.00 for one engraved line or 4 bricks for $120.00. Two additional lines may be purchased for $5.00 each.

The bricks, unless requested to be grouped, will be installed, at random, in front of the steps of the Old Schoolhouse.

Download an order form here. Order forms may also be picked up at the Old Schoolhouse Museum

The following businesses support our Society,please support them.

29 Palms Creative Center and Gallery
Gretchen Grunt, Proprietor
www.29palmsart.com

A New Creation Flowers & Gifts
Faith Arwick, Proprietor
www.anewcreationflorist.com/

California Retired Teachers Association
Hi Desert Division 62
PO Box 561, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Campbell House Inn
Heidi Grunt, Innkeeper
www.campbellhouse29palms.com

Desert Christ Park Foundation
www.desertchristpark.org/
[email protected]

Engraving Ladi
Michelle Barber, Proprietor
http://www.EngravingLadi.com
520-678-9090   [email protected]

The Gladys Carol Scholarship Program, Inc.
Cheryl Gillon, Founder
www.gcsp.vpweb.com

Jim Bagley, Realtor
[email protected]
760-861-4541

Libby's Realty
Reggie McAtee, Owner
73389 29 Palms Hwy, 29 Palms, CA 92277
760-367-9521   [email protected]
www.libbysrealty.com

McClay Distributors, Inc.
Bill McClay & Debby McClure
760-367-2828

Morongo Basin Historical Society
[email protected]
www.mbhs.net

Smitty's Bargain Box
Jacob & Crystal Smith, proprietors
73355 Sullivan Road, 29 Palms, CA 92277
909-327-6325
[email protected]

Swift Pool & Spa Service
Shawn Swift, proprietor
760-774-1808
[email protected]

Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians
29palmstribe.com/history.html

Twentynine Palms Public Cemetery
5550 Encelia Avenue
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
760-367-9316   [email protected]
29palmcemetery.org

Visit 29 Palms
www.visit29.org
760-358-6324

Your listing could be here.

Become a business member today.