As many of you have noticed, the southern Mojave and Colorado deserts receive little notice in museum exhibits and programs about the Gold Rush in California. This lack of notice is not deserved.

The early history of mining in this area is replete with stories of danger, excitement, greed, commercial exploitation, amazing successes, strong family values, ranching and farming to feed a nation, and all of those elements which went into a young America discovering its western wilderness and heritage. Not all of the stories are nice. Damage was done to the environment and the cultural heritage of the Indians was severely impacted. Sociologists and humanists believe that many of the qualities of the people of California, which historically have made it such an innovative state, come from this early pioneer spirit. The strong ethics and values of the Keys family, the subject of Art Kidwell and Willis Keys' new book, "Growing Up At tThe Desert Queen Ranch," is a clear definition of that wonderful life.

However you feel about those things, the story of the Forgotten Gold Rush is a big and an interesting one. It is sesquicentennial year, an exhibit covering these various aspects of the sesquicentennial Gold Rush will be prepared for circulation throughout the area. It is due to open March 9, 1999, anniversary of the discovery of a major gold site in Southern California - long before Sutters Mill. The exhibit will be accompanied by lectures and other programs, such as this Mural Celebration. Participants in the Forgotten Gold Rush include Joshua Tree National Park Association, MCAGCC, Copper Mountain Campus, 29 Palms Historical Society, Mojave National Preserve Visitor Center at Needles, the Needles Regional Museum, Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society, and Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association.

JOHN WHYTOCK - This 12th mural in Action 29's series of public art works is the second by John Whytock. A native of Sugar Loaf, in the Big Bear area, John was the artist who created "The Dirty Sock Camp" mural which is located on the east wall of 29 Palms Thrift at 73911 Twentynine Palms Highway. A recognized artist for over 20 years, he just finished painting nine murals and 25 paintings on commission for the Luxor in Las Vegas, and other works of art for the Circus Circus.

Well known local metal artist TERRY WAITE, and wood artist JOE DOWLER, are adding three dimensinal art to this mural in the portrayals of mining area wood beams, landscape rock effects, and a steel mining cart. Additional stone work was executed by RICH and WILL MEYER. Terry Waite is also the designer of the mural.

MURAL SPONSORS

ACTION COUNCIL FOR 29 PALMS, INC. The Action council is the volunteer citizen based non-profit sponsor for the 29 Palms Murals Program of public art. In 1994 Action 29 initiated this program to paint the community's rich natural and cultural history, on the walls of its businesses, through the talent of world class artists.

BILL AND SUE GARVIN, imaginative and successful developers of the site where the mural is located, "JOSHUA PARK MINING TOWN."

Please take some time and join the celebration by viewing some of the pictures taken that day. During the Mural unveiling, there was music and a barbecue. The number of visitors was huge, as you are about to see. Click Here to join the fun!