The Mojave Desert Heritage Association is a fascinating museum that showcases the rich history of the Mojave Desert. It features an extensive collection of mining and railroad memorabilia, old automobiles, Route 66 memorabilia, and military exhibits. The two main buildings are Goffs Schoolhouse and a replica of the historic Goffs Santa Fe Railway Depot. This excellent museum is worth visiting if traveling across the Mojave Desert.
Goff’s Schoolhouse Museum
The Goffs Schoolhouse was built in 1914 by the County of San Bernardino. It is a one-room mission-style desert school. The Schoolhouse was used as the local community center. During its 23 years as a school, the building hosted dances and functioned as a library. Today, the Goffs Schoolhouse has been restored and functions as a museum and gift shop.
Ten Stamp Mill
This working model of a ten-stamp mill is currently on public display in the Goffs Schoolhouse Museum. The last time the mill was in commercial use was back in the 1950s. The stamp mill was used to crush ore into powder for metal extraction. Two operational stamp mills, the 10-stamp American Boy Mill and the 2-stamp Stotts Mill, are at the Mojave Desert Historical and Cultural Association Museum in Goffs, California.
Mojave Road School Bus
This 1940s school bus, riddled with bullet holes, was abandoned over 40 years ago along the old Mojave Road and was a must-see attraction for travelers—old Mojave Road. The Mojave Desert Land Trust removed the bus from the Mojave Road and transferred it to the Mojave Desert Heritage Association, where it is displayed at Goffs.
Goffs Santa Fe Depot
The Mojave Desert Archives Library is housed in a reconstructed Goffs Santa Fe Depot. The original Goffs Depo was built in 1902 at the junction of the Nevada Southern Railroad and the Santa Fe main line through the Mojave Desert. The original depot was demolished in 1956.
Charlie Connell Mining District is full of mining artifacts.
The “squashed bug” was initially located in Torrance and now resides in Goffs, California.
Nature Trail at the Mojave Desert Heritage Association
Goffs Schoolhouse is located at Lanfair Road near the intersection of Goffs Road and Lanfair Road in Goffs, California. It is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
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