Location Notice from the discovery marker for the Desert Queen Mine

This document legally describes William F. Keys' claim to the Desert Queen Mine, which operated from 1895 to 1961. As with many desert stories, the origin of Desert Queen Mine is conflicting and colorful. A man named James is said to have started the mine around 1892 or 93. According to a newspaper account the claim was “jumped” and James was either murdered by rivals, or killed in self-defense. Other accounts credit a Native American sharing the location with local cowboys. The mine eventually passed to miner and homesteader William F. Keys.

Paper. L 35.5., W 21.5
Joshua Tree National Park, JOTR 29981

Jar

Miners’ claims were delineated using a center discovery marker and location notice, and associated stacked stone corner markers. These claim notices were generally folded into a variety of containers, such as this jar, which were tucked into the center of the stacked stone markers.

Glass, metal. H 13.6, W 6.3 cm
Joshua Tree National Park, JOTR 29982