The route over the mountain...
The route over the mountain behind Fort Piute.
Camels or no camels, the Mojave Road burned its way into the pages of history by providing the first wagon route between the banks of the Colorado River and Los Angeles. It was used primarily for government purposes such as shipping and mail, so some maps still call it the Government Road, but the route that went down in history as the Mojave Road was founded long before anyone was keeping records.
The Mojave Indians were farmers who lived along the banks of the Colorado River a few miles north of what eventually became Needles, California. Although they were not nomadic in nature, they did like to explore, and in their explorations they discovered the shores of the Pacific Ocean. In that process, they established a trail across the desert by connecting natural springs where water could be replenished while en route.
The first recorded European to travel the Mojave Road was a Spaniard by the name of Father Francisco Garces. He found the Mojave Indian village while traveling upstream along the Colorado River. The Indians guided him across the desert using the Mojave Road.
As the years passed, more and more white men ventured into the Mojave villages on their way to the coast. Although we found no records as to what happened or why it happened, the tribe became hostile and began attacking the travelers. Using the Mojave Road became quite a risky endeavor.
In 1848, a war between the U.S. and Mexico resulted in the U.S. taking possession of the territory later divided into the states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and parts of Colorado. A few years later, our government began financing explorations to determine the best routes for wagon roads and railroads. The Mojave Indians were enlisted to act as guides across the Mojave Desert and, for a short time, a new relationship seemed to be working. Once again, something happened and the battle resumed.