The Rand Mining District consists of the communities of Randsburg, Johannesburg, Atolia, and Red Mountain. The discovery of gold in 1895 at the site of the Yellow Aster Mine resulted in the emergence of these boom towns. During the life of the Yellow Aster Mine, $16 million dollars in profit was returned to the operators.

During World War One, the area was mined for tungsten and scheelite ores, an important material for the creation of hardened steel used for the war effort. In 1919, a year after the war’s end, silver was discovered on Red Mountain. The resulting silver rush saw the creation and operation of more than 100 mines in the area by 1920. No longer in operation, the Yellow Aster Mine can be viewed from the Red Mountain Road. At the 3-mile point, a small “Point of Interest” sign guides you up the mountain to an information kiosk that tells the history of the mine and overlooks the mine itself.

Randsburg, a “living ghost town,” features a saloon, general store, museum (open weekends only), and several shops, restaurants, and a bed-and-breakfast. There is also a convenient OHV parking lot maintained by Friends of Jawbone. Paved roads, graded roads, and BLM Trail R110 end at the pavement one block west of the saloon. Gas is available in Johannesburg.

Please slow down and drive safely when around people and businesses.

• Cottage Inn Randsburg: Bed & Breakfast:
  (760) 495-2069
• Randsburg General Store:
  Open Monday – Saturday | 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  Sundays | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  (760) 374-2143
• Randsburg Inn:
  (760) 374-2332
  randsburginn.com
• Rand Desert Museum: 
  Open Weekends and Holidays
  11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  (760) 371-0965