Wall Street Mill [Suggest Edits]

Description

Hikers will enjoy exploring the remnants of a gold ore crushing mill that operated through the 30's and 40'. Featuring late 19th century two-stamp crushing equipment and a well, the Wall Street Mill stands as the last intact example of this kind of mill in California. As such, it was added to the National Registation of Historic Places in 1975.

Aside from the mill, you can find a marker for where Joshua Tree historical figure Bill Hayes shot and killed rancher Worth Bagley after a dispute over land and access to the mill escalated to Bagley firing on Hayes. Hayes spent a decade in prison, always claiming self-defense, before having his conviction overturned due to prosecutorial misconduct.

Short Hike: A little over a mile hike from the Barker Dam parking lot. The trail is generally well marked, but heavy rains can affect the trail. As always in the desert, bring water and avoid when hot.

Family Friendly: The old, decaying, ruins are cool to look at and kids can get close to a few things that are not fenced off for safety like old cars and windmills.

Gem Type: Historic Site