Robbers Roost (Kern County, California)

Robbers Roost (unincorporated Kern County, California, also known as Robber's Roost and Bandit Rock) is a rock formation in the foothills of the Scodie Mountains portion of the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in the North Mojave Desert. The formation overlooks the southern portion of the Indian Wells Valley. The nearest municipality is Ridgecrest, California. The Los Angeles Aqueduct is within several hundred yards of the formation. The area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Robbers Roost lies west of Freeman Junction, which is approximately at the intersection of California highways 178 and 14.

Robbers Roost
LocationKern County, California
Coordinates35°35′30.91″N 117°56′51.35″W
Area5 acres (2.0 ha)
NRHP reference No.75000431[1]
Added to NRHPOctober 31, 1975

History

In the 19th century, outlaws were known to use Robbers Roost to spot stagecoaches moving south towards Los Angeles through the Antelope Valley from the Owens Valley or west through Walker Pass towards the San Joaquin Valley. Modern-day Walker Pass is State Route 178. Stagecoaches in this area often carried gold and other valuable gems from the local mines.

The jagged rocks were a hideout for Kern County's most notorious bandit gang, led by Tiburcio Vásquez.

National Register of Historic Places listing
Tiburcio Vásquez

Robbers Roost was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.[1][2] The following information is based on the National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form.

The massive rock, at an elevation of 4,000 feet, not only provided an excellent view for miles in every direction across the desert landscape, but also provided a ready-made hideout. The many crags, crevices, and caves gave protection from the severe desert weather, in addition to providing a hiding place.

The steep, rugged lookout remains today in much the same condition as when Vásquez used it as his hideout.

View from atop Robber's Roost overlooking the area where Freeman Junction once stood. The town of Ridgecrest, California is visible in the background.

Vásquez conducted several holdups in 1874 at Coyote Holes (near the modern-day intersection of Highways 178 and 14) before his hanging the following year in San Jose.

A Mexican gentleman of adventure, Vásquez reaped a harvest of monetary gains as he rode the mountain, coast, and desert roads. His first appearance upon the desert scene was in the early months of 1874. No early desperado in California banditry rivaled his record except Joaquin Murrieta. Vásquez started his career about the middle of the century, culminating it in 1875. Before coming to the inner regions of California, he had served a number of years in prison. A free man in 1863, and feeling the state owed him a living, he returned to his lawlessness. He joined infamous bandit groups and, in approximately 1871, became leader of his own band. Made bold by success, he planned operations in the desert country from which tales were coming of rich mines and wealthy travelers.

The vicinity of Cerro Gordo Mines in Inyo County was the goal of the gang. They planned to secure their loot by highway robbery: money and jewels were easier to get away with than heavy bullion.

Vásquez made his first appearance at Coyote Holes, a stage station where the Walker Pass road met the freight road to Los Angeles.

The site of Vásquez's local camp was in the craggy peaks south of Coyote Holes station. From that day on, this jagged rock easily seen from Highway 14 has been known as Robbers Roost.

Vásquez and his gang continued to operate along the highways until army detachments from Camp Independence made an effort to capture them. This discouraged Vásquez and he left the desert region and returned to the Los Angeles area.

The bandit was finally captured there and returned to San Jose where he was tried for murder, convicted, and hanged on March 19, 1875. He had made an enemy of one of his friends by finding favor with the man's niece. The uncle was responsible for advising the law enforcement officers of his whereabouts.

The California desert has known many other bandits but Vásquez and his gang were the most notorious.

Accessibility
Sign indicating border of nesting area

Robber's Roost is closed from February 1 through July 1 to allow solitude for bird of prey nesting.

Further reading
  • Bailey, Richard C. (1962), Explorations in Kern., Bakersfield: Kern County Historical Society, p. 80–81
  • Peirson, Erma, Kern's Desert, Bakersfield: Kern County Historical Society, pp. 22–24
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See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. Conrad, Richard D. (October 31, 1975), "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Robbers Roost, or Bandit Rock" (pdf), National Park Service

Media related to Robbers Roost, California at Wikimedia Commons

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