JTNP- Wall Street Mill

One of the great things about Joshua Tree NP is not only is it a natural wonder, it also has an interesting historical background. A large portion of the park used to be owned by the Keys family. during the first half of the 1900's. There are many historical sites within the park that interpret the story of the homesteading Keys family, including their ranch, a hand built dam, a bunk house, and a gold and silver stamp mill, called the Wall Street Mill.

Greg and I got to explore the Wall Stree Mill. It was amazing to see many of the original tools and milling items still laying around. There were old cars parked here and there which gave a real feeling of authenticity. Greg and I were amazed how a family could survive out here in the desert alone. We look forward to the Keys Ranch tour in the future to learn how they thrived so well in such harsh conditions.





Here is a well-written great story about Bill Keys and meaning behind this marker from the website DesertUSA

In 1943, in something from a Western Dime Novel, a former deputy sheriff named Worth Bagley ambushed Keys just outside Keys' ranch. Bill returned fire and shot Bagley to death. The trial was a mockery of justice, with perhaps some powerful cattle ranching competitors tweaking the results against Keys. Bill was found guilty of murder and sent to jail.

At age sixty nine, after five years in prison, with friends he had made throughout California rallying to his defense, Keys was released from prison. Without a hitch, he went right back to work, rebuilding what had decayed while he was away. Five years later he was given a complete pardon.