Pioneer of the Mojave

This is the story of Victor Valley pioneer Captain A. G. Lane, the first permanent settler on the High Desert. In 1858 Lane located at a spot about one-half mile below the lower narrows of the Mojave River.

He had barely settled in before his ranch was raided by Indians. Other attacks followed throughout the years, and once he was even forced to leave the desert temporarily. Also a constant danger was the criminal element who sometimes sought refuge on the Mojave. On one occasion a murderer and his accomplice were tracked and caught at Lane's way station.

The Civil War era was especially dangerous, with secessionist plots, gangs of horse thieves, and a general increase in criminal activity. Added to this turmoil was the anti-U.S. climate in San Bernardino, which had been a Mormon colony up until the time of the Mormon rebellion against the government in 1857-8. Located as he was directly on the road across the desert, Lane often found himself at the center of shadowy activities, including secret military missions undertaken in the dark of night.

More than an account of Lane's successes and failures, Pioneer of the Mojave is a history of the events on the High Desert during his lifetime, including the origins of Oro Grande and the first settlements in what later became the town of Victorville. One chapter is devoted to mining on the High Desert, and another to the development of the toll road through Cajon Pass. There is information on early politics, education and pioneers of the period. Also included are photographs and illustrations.

Contents

Old Skeletons and New Trails

An overview of history in the Mojave Desert and Mojave River in the years before Aaron Lane's arrival.

Lane's Crossing

Lane's early years on the Mojave and Carleton's Campaign on the Paiutes.

Outlaws on the Mojave

With the onset of the Civil War, San Bernardino began to see an increase in ...

Riding Out the Civil War

Life on the Mojave River throughout the Civil War years.

Lane Versus Andrews

When Aaron Lane sold his claim at the upper crossing to Dr. Woodville Andrews, he took a note for ...

Green Gold and Mint Juleps

During his years at the upper crossing, Captain Lane, as Aaron was known throughout ...

Part-time Prospector

The Captain first came to California with the dream of striking it rich, a dream he thought ...


The Toll Road through Cajon Pass

The economy of the desert community in pioneer days was, and still is for that matter, ...


An Esteemed and Confoundedly Combative Pioneer

While it is true that Captain Lane spent his life on the Mojave Desert in comparative isolation, ...