Historic Sites:
Butterfield Overland Mail Stage Route
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
The 1,200 mile route is administered by the U.S. National Park Service and retraces the journey of the first group of Spanish settlers to make an overland expedition to California from Mexico.
Mormon Battalion Trail
The Mormon Battalion, the only religious unit in the American military, was active in 1846-1847, serving in the Mexican-American War. Their long march from Council Bluffs, Iowa to San Diego, California, was instrumental in securing a route through the western territories being fought over, including into the Gadsden Purchase of 1853. The battalion marched west along the Santa Fe Trail, and in New Mexico they were guided by Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, the son of Sacagawea, the Shoshone guide for the Lewis and Clark expedition. The battalion chased Mexican soldiers out of Tucson, Arizona, and crossed Imperial County, and finally passed through Temecula, California, ending their march in San Diego in 1847.
Plank Road
Located in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, off Grays Well Road, is a small surviving remnant of the unique "floating" wooden road. The Plank Road was constructed across the dunes in 1916. Used for ten years, it was replaced by a more reliable paved highway in 1926.
Tumco Historic Townsite
Originally called Hedges, this town was renamed Tumco in 1910 for the Trumble United Mines Company. With a peak population of over 3,000, it boasted the largest stamp mill in the country with 100 stamps, capable of crushing 167 tons of ore per day. When the richest ore deposits were depleted in 1914, the mines closed. Little remains of this once bustling community, except for crumbling foundations, a reservoir, and a cemetery.
Yuha Geoglyph
Constructed by Native Americans, a geoglyph is a large symbol etched into the ground by clearing lines of dark rock (desert pavement) to expose the lighter soil underneath. Unrecognizable to those on the ground, these images made of rocks stretch for hundreds of yards across the Yuha in a variety of abstract shapes. Now protected by a fenced enclosure, this geoglyph was extensively damaged by vandals in 1975 and reconstructed by Imperial Valley College Barker Museum and BLM in 1981. Please respect this tie to the past by not disturbing these rocks. Geoglyphs are extremely fragile. Do not travel over geoglyphs. Located on BLM Route EC274 off State Highway 98.
Yuha Well
This watering stop was crucial for both Native Americans and immigrants passing through the Yuha Desert. For the Anza expedition, it was the first truly dependable water source since leaving the Colorado River. Indians and explorers could easily spot the hummock of water loving mesquite to help them locate the water source. No water is available at the site today. Located near BLM Route EC346.
