Randsburg Things to Do Tips by Yaqui

Randsburg Jail

Ok, this structure has a lot of character and it the welcome mat into the town if your coming from Highway 395. It welcomes you with a sign, a historical marker and the towns jail..........LOL! Kind of like saying..."Your welcome, be good, or you'll be in put into the hoosegow! Inside you'll find what appears to be what it was like during its hey day! A couple of models are present in the cells you might have seen back then, although I think putting a saloon gal in there might had been a stretched since they were the reason the town roared during the boom era...lol! Seeing a miner put in here might be plausible, but it does add some fun to the background of the jail. My son got a kick out of it and enjoyed reading what was on the wall as in a poem and a actual letter by the first appointed constable.

Other unique community jails:
Maricopa’s City Jail, Ca
McKittrick Jail,Ca
Buttonwillow Jail, Ca
Isabella Jail, Ca


Billy Holcomb Chapter Historical Plaque No. 53

Address: Butte Ave Randsburg, Ca 93554

Phone: 760-374-2359

Website: http://www.randsburg.com/

Rand Desert Museum

Rand Desert Museum has the stinction of being one of the first musuems in Kern County in 1942. It was given to the county in 1948. It was closed that day, which was disappointing because it was Saturday. Oh well, sometimes offices have trouble filling enough personel for remote offices. At least we enjoyed the musuem located in the little courtyard next to the building. Some neat finds there! The historical marker is right in front built into the front fencing or support.

Randsburg, Ca Historical Marker No. 938

Open
Sat and Sun
10:00am-5:00pm

Mailing addy
P.O.Box 307
Randsburg, CA 93554

Address: 161 Butte Ave, Randsburg, CA 93554

Phone: 760-374-2359

Website: http://www.randdesertmuseum.com/home

The Ice House

This establishment was closed that day, so we didn't get to go inside. It does have lots of character and once again I surmise this was the towns ice house at one time.

Address: Butte Ave, Randsburg, CA 93554

Phone: 760-374-2359

Website: http://www.randsburg.com/

Barber Shop

From some historical photographs this little establishment has been around a very long time. The building is a testament to time for this community. The town has fixed up theses three little stores. You can peek into the barber shop and still see the barber's chair and some of the furniture. I teased my sons that I was taking them in and they were like.......nooooooooooo!

Address: Butte Ave, Randsburg, CA 93554

Phone: 760-374-2359

Website: http://www.randsburg.com/

Randsburg Methodist Church 1934

I cannot find any historical content on this lovely church other that it served many respectable individuals or families that took their solace within the walls of this Church. This community still roared around the 1930's when this church was built. As with most religious structures was often a sanctuary that this growing community leaned on to create a stable environment especially for those whom seeking a quieter life style. A town bursting with so many thirsty adventurers looking to burn off the frustration of a mudain back busting life in the many gambling saloons and houses of ill repute.

They do not have services anymore as of Oct 2004, but they do have tours. You can catch info on the Maturango Museum Home Page

Photo's of Historic Randsburg

Address: 28 LEXINGTON AVE, Randsburg, Ca 93554

Phone: 619-374-2282

Website: http://www.randsburg.com/

White Butterfly

This building is now part of the "White House Saloon and no longer a jewelry store."

Checkout the displays just outside the store. It caught my attention.

Address: Butte Ave, Randsburg, CA 93554

Phone: 760-374-2359

Website: http://www.randsburg.com/

Fasig's Antiques or old School House?

This antique shop had some really neat antiques. We didn't stay too long in it because my youngest was hot and tried and needed some refreshment right away. Yet, once refreshed we headed along the street towards the back of Butte Ave, which is Lexington, we noticed structures right behind Fasig's store. They appeared to be school rooms to me, so I surmise this was probably the sight of Randsburg School house. Literature states as more families started to settled in during the beginning of Rand Camp, Mr. Cuddeback had built Wolfskill store building that was in Fiddlers Gulch, which he moved into the center of town on Butte Ave to be a schoolhouse. Hmmmm, wonder if Fasig is the orginal building and these wood structures behind it are the additions?

Address: 26805 Butte Ave Randsburg, Ca 93554

Phone: 760- 861-1019

Website: http://www.randsburg.com/

Santa Barbara Catholic Church 1904

Like many booming mining communities, religious structure was often a sanctuary that most communities leaned on to create a stable environment especially for those whom seeking a quieter life style. Although, the town burst of thirsty miners or just some saddle tramp looking to burn off the frustration of a mudain back busting life in the solace of gambling saloons and houses of ill repute. Many respectable individuals or families took their solace within the walls of Santa Barbara Catholic Church. Its sister parish is St. Ann in Ridgecrest and St. Malachy in Tehachapi and they all share a very long history in the local area. The first Catholic Church was built in 1897, but burned down in of the three fires that swept through the town in 1898. In 1904 Father Matthew Ternes of St. Malachy, built another one in Randsburg at the cost of $1000. The original bell is still present a gift by Bishop of the Diocese of Monterey in Los Angeles. The first Confirmation class was only five children. This parish has helped established many other parishes for many of the local area such as Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Trona, China Lake, and Edwards.

They do have services, but not often. You can catch info on the Maturango Museum Home Page!

My second visit I notice it is being propped up on one side, which is not a good sign.

Photo's of Historic Randsburg

Address: Butte Ave Randsburg, Ca 93554

Phone: (760) 375-6900

Website: http://parishofsaintann.org/history/oldhis.htm

Old Post Office 1896

This business is closed and the building is empty now.

(It use to have unusal crafts of folk art and many type of art made out of recycled items.

Checkout the bottle art tree just outside.

Address: 31 Butte Ave Randsburg, Ca 93554

Phone: 760-374-2143

Website: http://www.randsburg.com/

First Adobe Building 1903

In October of 1897 Mr. Jones opened a dry good store in Randsburg. His building was wiped out in the great fire of May 1898, but saved most of his stock by placing it in a fireproof cellar. After the fire he immediatly built a new adobe building which according Goerge McPherson in his History of Randsburg, was the firt adobe built in town. About 5 feet was added to the front of this building after 1903 fire so it would be in line with the rest of the buildings on Butte Ave. But in 1900 is was recorded that a Dr. Nichols was occupying the building, so it is not know if Mr. Jones was in business. In the 1920's is served as a office for insurance agents and mining engineers. From 1930's to 1980's it was the Postoffice, hence the flag pole.

Address: 169 Butte Ave Randsburg, Ca 93554

Phone: 760-374-2143

Website: http://www.randsburg.com/