Barstow

Barstow was once a thriving mining center in the late 19th century. Today it is at the junction of three major highways and provides access to the Mojave Desert.

Early Man Archaeological Site is an excavation began by Dr. Louis Leakey in 1964. More than 12,000 stone tools dating back 20,000 years have been unearthed, making this the oldest prehistoric site yet discovered in the Western Hemisphere. Open Wed noon-4:30, Thur-Sun 8-4:30 Donations ph: 619-256-3591

Calico Ghost Town Between 1881 and 1896, Calico named after the varicolored surrounding mountains) was a booming silver mining town of more than 2,500 people. Its mines produced more than $13 million in ore. Then in 1895 the price of silver dropped, the mines quit producing, and the town fell into ruin. Daily 9-5  ph: 619-254-2122