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Bullion Mountains Campsite

Twentynine Palms, San Bernardino, California
5 acres hosted by Paul N.
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The 1938 Small Tract Act authorized the sale of public lands, not to exceed five acres per claim. The land could be used as a home site, camp spot, recreation or business. One of the most surprising of "rushes" for these five acres homesteads happened in the 29 Palms area. Early in 1941, the first claims were files. By the end of February that year, one hundred and twnety-two claims had been files. Stacks of claims waited to be processed. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management had not expected such an interest and was totally unprepared. Before the last nail was driven completing the local land office, a line of homesteaders had already formed. In spite of no water, electricity or roads, the people kept coming. Some hauled building material all the way from Los Angeles and camped, waiting to file their claims. Many stood in line holding hammer and nailes, ready to start building as soon as their claim was files. WWII slowed the rush somewhat, allowing the government to catch up. But, in 1944, the land office was once again overflowing with desert homestead claims. More than 3000 people had applied for homesteads near 29 Palms. One homesteader who was there said, "The demand was so great that the land office had no choice but to conduct a type of land grabs.": The desert east of 29 Palms, now known as Wonder Valley, and all the way to Amboy was opened up for homesteads. A map of the area was numbered and cut into five acre parcels. You drew a number then went out and found your homestead land. If you didn't like the parcel, you could bring the number back and draw another one. One man claimed that he had drawn ten different numbers before he was happy. Not that he didn't like the parcels, he couldn't find them. It was required that you build a cabin on your homestead acres. All the homesteaders enjoyed the novelty of weekends in the desert. But, for most the idea of really living here was a nerve frazzling thought. With the thrill gone, many homesteaders returned to their city apartments. Some have not seen their five acres in thirty and forty years. Others built homes or set up livable cabins and stayed. Wonder Valley is a place known for many homestead cabins. All citizens of the valley are there because they love the desert. They are a proud people who feel good about "roughing it," and would not live anywhere else. There are large homes and cabins. Some have dug wells and some have their water hauled in. The roads are mostly dirt, and during the rains, many folks can not get their cars home. But, you will not hear many complaints from folks out there, for they are true homesteaders.
Activities
Biking
Hiking
Off-roading (OHV)
Climbing
Natural features
Desert
Mountainous
Not currently accepting bookings
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Location
Twentynine Palms, San Bernardino, California, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Yuhaaviatam/Maarenga’yam (Serrano) and Newe Sogobia (Western Shoshone) First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Paul N.Joined in July 2018
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