User:Asiaticus/sandbox/Rock Spring (California)

Rock Spring is a natural spring in the eastern Mojave Desert of San Bernardino County, California. It is located within the Mojave National Preserve at an elevation of 4,793 feet / 1,461 meters on the west side of Lanfair Valley, were a tributary wash from Round Valley has its confluence with Watson Wash.

History
Rock Spring was one of the major water sources for local Native Americans and later Mohave, Spaniards, Mexican and American travelers on the Mohave Trail, Old Spanish Trail and the Mojave Road or Government Road that followed them from the time of the 1858 Mohave War, it was located about 50 miles west of the Colorado River on the old road.

In late 1866 a U. S. Army post, Camp Rock Spring, was established at the spring due to hostilities by desert tribesmen against travelers along the route. It was maintained until 1868 at which time the U.S. Mail was taken off the Mojave Road, with hostilities at an end the presence of the Army was no longer required.