Inyokern Things to Do Tips by Yaqui

Indian Wells California Historical Landmark #457

This is still an active natural springs well that is being utilized by the Indian Wells Restaurant and Indian Wells Brewing Company, which by the way makes soda too.

The plaque reads:

After five days' travel from the Argus Range, the Manly-Jayhawker parties of 1849 found their first water at this Indian waterhole on the Joseph R. Walker Trail of 1843. During the 1860s, this was the site of a stage and freight station for traffic between Los Angeles and the Coso and Cerro Gordo Mines.

California Historical Landmark #457

Directions: Indian Wells Lodge, 4.9 mi N of Freeman Jct (Hwys 14 and 178) on Hwy 14 (P.M. 62.6)

Website: http://www.mojavered.com/SpringWater.aspx

Freeman Junction Ca. Historical Landmark No#766

Freeman Junction is evidence of what abandonment, decay, weather and scavengers can do that robs a historical site. All that remains is a Historical Marker that the state of California erected so we would not forget what was here once, Thank goodness! Back in the 1920’s there was supposedly a homestead of Clare Miley and by the next century a restaurant, gas station, and other type of structures that graced this corner of Highway 178 and 14 at one time. Freeman Junction was when explore Joseph Walker in 1834 heard of these extensive Indian trails that were created by them so they could converge with other tribes to trade their goods. He scouted for the army extensively looking for a snow free pass through the Sierras. He returned several more times bringing in settlers and expeditions. Soon pioneers were using the trail to seek out a new life or escaping Death Valley. There was a watering station house built by Freeman Raymond not far from here next to natural spring called Coyote Hole used by teams and settlers passing through here. Seems to be some conflict with certain historians when this station officially gained its name either around 1889 when a post office was constructed or when the Los Angeles Aqueduct was being built in 1906. Raymond passed around 1909 and the post office was moved to Richardo Ranch in Red Rock Canyon, now a state park. The elements eventually claimed the rest of station in a flash flood around 1909. I guess this corner was not to have any historical building left behind. So sits the marker as a reminder of what pioneer perseverance will do to get them where they want to go.

Freeman Junction, Ca Historical Marker No.766

Directions: Exit from Highway 14 onto Ca-178 head West towards Lake Isabella