Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association

10/14/2026

Check out our door prizes this year for Rendezvous! It’s not too late to register on line or just show up. Our final schedule of events is posted on our website themojaveroad.org. See you this weekend.

10/12/2026

THE 2023 OLD TRACTION ROAD EXPEDITION

Former MDHCA President Sean Holman authored this superb account of the 2023 Old Traction Road expedition, which was led by then-MDHCA President Billy Creech. The team, which began their journey on September 29, 2023 from Goffs, included BLM personnel Mike Ahrens, Chris Dalu, Nicole Keefner, and Rose Pettiette, alongside photojournalist Chris Collard and Will Corbett. This account appeared in OVRmag.com on 8 September 2026

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A Historic Three-Day Expedition Retraces and Reopens the Desert’s Forgotten 125-Mile Old Traction Road.

By Sean P. Holman and Images by the author, Chris Collard, and Courtesy of the MDHCA Historical Archives.

https://www.ovrmag.com/advocacy-and-conservation/rediscovering-the-mojaves-long-lost-old-traction-road/1075.article?utm_campaign=985248_Biweekly+Newsletter+72+Sept+2026+Week+3&utm_medium=email&utm_source=OVR%3A+Outdoor%2C+Vehicle%2C+Recreation&dm_i=7IAE%2CL480%2C5BMZXU%2C3T3BR%2C1%2C0%2C0%2C0&fbclid=IwY2xjawU6Nw9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6ATXIMF7_0X44kJfKgqg0uBfL3z4R7D70IWrRkA4ljJj8lP_AA8BjaIe0_Rg_aem_2W8gY-11bNONVp-PQUVkdw

An expedition retraces the Mojave Desert's forgotten 125-mile Old Traction Road while documenting its mining history, wildlife and rugged terrain.

10/11/2026

More roads damaged by the latest rains in the East Mojave.
https://www.facebook.com/MojaveNPS/posts/pfbid0c2yR4PPwH8cagRcZo2M8i5EEjvdA1mqQEMNvXouQUYqHB9Ru9hKwzy7yxse5ALal

Please use caution when driving through Mojave National Preserve. Widespread storms have flooded, damaged and deposited debris on roads throughout the Preserve. Some roads have been undercut. 4WD vehicles are recommended for Black Canyon Road due to muddy conditions.

NPS Photo Dave Hursey

10/07/2026

Just a reminder that Rendezvous is October 15th through the 18th this year. Our website has all the information and you can pre register, or just come on down, registration will be available in the Schoolhouse. We have great field trips planned and fun prizes. The Clampers are providing our Saturday evening BBQ. Saturday is set aside as an all campus day with talks, workshops and an on-site archeological dig open to all. Go to themojaveroad.org for more information. See you next week!

10/06/2026

THE MOJAVE ROAD

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1520205343481034&id=100064747474175&mibextid=ZbWKwL

The Mojave Road stretches from the Colorado River to the coast of California. The Mojave Road was first known as the Mojave Trail and was used by Native Americans as a trade route and used for decades before the arrival of Europeans. In 1858 the Mojave Trail became the Mojave Road after it was ceded to the U.S. by Mexico in 1848. Spanish Franciscan friar, Francisco Garces is credited as one of the first Europeans to document and map routes through Mojave National Preserve using the Mojave Trail in the 1700's. His Native American Guides introduced him to the trail.
Throughout his journeys, he met numerous Native American peoples, often recording friendly encounters. His journeys reflected a period of increasing contact and growing tensions between Spanish colonists and the Indigenous peoples of the region. In July 1781, Father Garces was killed alongside other friars and Spaniards during a Native American uprising at Yuma Crossing. Today the Mojave Road is popular with 4-wheel drive enthusiasts.

10/04/2026

Sidetrack Adventures - The Forgotten Town That Preserves the Mojave.

Hidden away in California's Mojave Desert is the small community of Goffs, a place with a history that stretches from the railroad and mining days to Route 66 and World War II.

In this video, we visit Goffs and the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association to explore the restored 1914 schoolhouse and an incredible collection of Mojave Desert history.

Along the way, we'll look at Goffs' days as an important railroad stop, what happened when Route 66 bypassed the town, the arrival of the U.S. Army during World War II, and the work of Dennis and Jo Ann Casebier to preserve the history of this part of the desert.

We'll also see some unexpected pieces of Mojave history, including the original stolen Mojave Cross and the famous Mojave Phone Booth.

There's a lot more hiding in Goffs than you might expect, and it's one of those places where you could easily spend hours exploring.

Hidden away in California's Mojave Desert is the small community of...

10/02/2026

Mojave National Preserve announces new Superintendent

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1559595726208662&id=100064747474175&mibextid=ZbWKwL

The National Park Service has selected Kevin Schluckebier as the next superintendent of Mojave National Preserve. He will begin his new role Oct. 18, 2026.

Schluckebier currently serves as the National Park Service Midwest Region’s program manager for design and construction, leading teams that deliver major projects across national parks. He brings extensive experience in park operations, facilities and project management, leadership, and partnership-building. He has also held deputy superintendent and superintendent roles at Badlands National Park, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, and Mojave National Preserve.

"Kevin’s combination of leadership and facilities expertise, along with his previous experience at Mojave, will allow him to build on existing work and partnerships at the preserve,” said Deputy Regional Director David Schifsky. “The preserve will benefit from his experience bringing together interdisciplinary teams, managing complex projects, and developing relationships with employees, partners and surrounding communities.”

“I’m excited to return to Mojave National Preserve and once again work alongside its dedicated employees, partners and neighboring communities,” said Superintendent Kevin Schluckebier. “I look forward to building on the work already underway and helping care for this extraordinary desert landscape while ensuring visitors can continue to experience and enjoy it for generations to come.”

Schluckebier joined the National Park Service in 2018 after more than 20 years in the private sector. A Nebraska architect, he previously led a division of an educational and historic architecture firm overseeing multimillion-dollar projects. His work included the design of the National Park Service’s Grand Portage Heritage Center at Grand Portage National Monument.

NPS Photo

09/18/2026

Once Upon a Time in the Mojave
Ghosts of the Alphabet Railroad Towns (Some great photos of Goffs included! And some great people as well)

High & Dry examines the evolution of Mojave railroad towns, which Route 66 would eventually connect to the rest of the county.

09/05/2026

Just a reminder for those wishing to attend the opening w**e and cheese reception to RSVP via our website www.themojaveroad.org we hope to see you on the 19th in our Exhibit Hall. Meet the photographer Ken Lee, and enjoy a self guided walking tour of our outdoor museum and see the historic Goffs Schoolhouse. Refreshments will be served. The reception starts at 1pm.