Contact Information:


Joe de Kehoe
Author/Historian
Trails End Publishing Company
2610 Nimbus Drive
Estes Park, Colorado 80517
Phone: (970) 586-4697
Cell: (661) 331-3377
Email

Book cover.

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Picture

Introduction:

This book is an historical record of towns, mining communities and railroad stops in a remote area of the eastern Mojave Desert of California - places that for the most part are now abandoned, or nearly so, and with one notable exception are slowly but inexorably being reclaimed by the desert.  This book is also an amalgamation of stories the author collected over the last few years from taped interviews with several dozen desert “old timers” along with hundreds of old photographs from their family albums.    

The book is intended to familiarize the casual traveler with the remnants of the historic Route 66 corridor in the Mojave Desert of California between Danby and Ludlow, and some of the other interesting communities in the general area.  The maps and descriptions are based on the author’s research and are as comprehensive as possible as of the publication date.  However, changes do occur and I am continually learning new things about the area.

The origin of the title of the book is a little obscure.  I have heard at least two railroad engineers use the expression in describing their first impression of the stretch of track between Barstow and Needles, California, and in my travels to desolate back canyons and abandoned mines I have found that this expression – The Silence and the Sun - is an apt description of the setting in which the stories in this book take place.  

Back cover.

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Picture

About the book:

  • The Silence and the Sun, liberally illustrated with photographs, offers a selection of historical accounts on the growth and eventual decline and abandonment of towns, businesses, mining communities and railroad stops in the eastern Mojave Desert of California. 
  • All is silent now and the place is empty and overgrown, but at one time, decades ago, people lived, worked, raised families, and died in these forgotten places - settlements with names like Cadiz, Siam, Bagdad, Milligan, Chubbuck, Siberia and Amboy to name a few. 
  • The desert scenery in this area, bordered on the north by old Route 66, displays a beauty all its own and the area is steeped in history centered on the railroad and mining. 
  • The book also includes a chapter by Roger Hatheway on the many historical names of Route 66 in this area. 
  • There are few roads in this region - some are prospector trails and others are roads to abandoned mining towns, but for those who are interested in exploring and learning about some of the lesser known areas, either from an armchair or behind the wheel, this book will add to the enjoyment.
  • “Be prepared to become fully involved in the stories. This is that rare book (and gifted author) that takes you along for the ride. Many books are interesting and entertaining while they last, but The Silence and the Sun will, I promise, make a lasting impression, and leave you wanting more.”


Although the first edition of The Silence and the Sun is now out of print, a second edition is underway and is scheduled to be available in August, 2012.  The second edition will include much of the same material as before, but includes additional material and photographs that were unavailable at the time of the first printing.