The Keys family’s Desert Queen (Keys) Ranch illustrates the best preserved story of early 20th century desert homesteading in the park. Situated in an area where water was naturally available, we know from the archeological record that Native Americans used this area extensively before development of the natural water resources by cattlemen. The dam system the cattlemen started, and Mr. Keys expanded, provided the family with sufficient water to successfully homestead the property.
William F. (Bill) Keys had worked on several cattle ranches, hunted outlaws as a deputy sheriff along the Utah-Arizona border, and prospected and mined along the Colorado River and in Death Valley before he arrived in the Joshua Tree area. His wife Frances Mae Lawton, a stenographer for Western Union in Los Angeles before marrying Bill in 1918, thrived at the ranch in spite of growing up in the city. According to the Keys children, childhood at the ranch was filled with lots of chores, but also opportunities for adventure.
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Desert Queen RanchNational Park Service photograph
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Keys Ranch main houseNational Park Service photograph
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Pie PanJoshua Tree National Park, JOTR 8812
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Tobacco JarJoshua Tree National Park, JOTR 31238
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Desert Queen Ranch gardenJoshua Tree National Park, JOTR 20575 #2684
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Mrs. Frances Lawton KeysJoshua Tree National Park, JOTR 531, Box 4, Folder 1
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Willis Keys in the main house kitchenNational Park Service photograph
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United States FlagJoshua Tree National Park, JOTR 30833
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Desert Queen Ranch Schoolhouse drawingJoshua Tree National Park, JOTR 11901
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Schoolhouse teachers and childrenJoshua Tree National Park, JOTR 20575 #2526
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Desert Queen Ranch Schoolhouse InteriorNational Park Service Photograph
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Keys and Eaton childrenJoshua Tree National Park, JOTR 20575, #2525
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Keys Ranch school houseJoshua Tree National Park, JOTR 40127
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Desert Queen Ranch Schoolhouse todayNational Park Service photograph
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Toy Sword and ScabbardJoshua Tree National Park, JOTR 17308
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Children on muleJoshua Tree National Park, JOTR 20575 #2508
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Children with toy buildingJoshua Tree National Park, JOTR 40127, Box 3
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Water CarrierJoshua Tree National Park, JOTR 3164
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Modern canvas water bagNational Park Service photograph
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Pardon and Letter to William F. KeysJoshua Tree National Park, JOTR 11927 and 11928
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William F. KeysJoshua Tree National Park, JOTR 40367
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William F. Keys reenacts the shootingJoshua Tree National Park, JOTR 17323
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Christmas Card with EnvelopeJoshua Tree National Park, JOTR 11907
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Worth Bagley MarkerJoshua Tree National Park, JOTR 37222
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Worth Bagley Marker in situNational Park Service photograph
Last updated: August 8, 2023