Discover Mojave: Aviation and Borax History

Mojave offers insights into aviation, space exploration, and regional history. At the Mojave Air & Space Port, you’ll encounter historic aircraft and spaceflight models; Borax and railroad history add to the picture. When planning your visit, it’s worth distinguishing between exhibits, viewpoints, and event dates, as visitor conditions vary from place to place.

Airfield and Local History

The airfield opened in 1935 as a small rural airfield serving the local gold and silver mining industry. In July 1942, it was expanded as Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Station (MCAAS) Mojave. Mojave Air & Space Port is a flight research center covering more than 3,300 acres.

The 20-Mule-Team Borax Terminus tells a much earlier story. It was part of a 165-mile route for borax wagons between Death Valley and Mojave, which operated from 1884 to 1889. Ore wagons associated with the terminus were built in Mojave at a cost of $900 each. The old two-story railroad depot is also part of local history: the Fred Harvey organization operated a “Harvey House” there, where the “Harvey Girls” served travelers and miners.

Aircraft and Spaceflight Models

At the entrance to Mojave Air & Space Port, the Static Display is an outdoor exhibit of aircraft and vehicles. The Convair 990 at the entrance is one of only a few surviving Convair 990 Coronados. The Saab Draken there is provided on loan for display by the National Test Pilot School. The Gate Guardians display includes a Convair 990, an F-4, and a Saab Draken. As the aircraft on display may change, check the current lineup before your trip.

Legacy Park is within walking distance of the parking lot at the administration building. Objects there include a life-size scale model of SpaceShipOne, a scale model of the Voyager aircraft, and the Rotary Rocket vehicle. The actual Voyager aircraft was the first aircraft to circumnavigate the Earth nonstop, without landing or refueling. The Rotary Rocket Roton, in turn, was designed as a vehicle to reach space. The models and vehicle thus illustrate different aspects of aviation and spaceflight history.

Events and Visitor Conditions

Mojave Air & Space Port hosts Plane Crazy Saturdays each month. The program includes a historic aircraft display; admission is free. Check dates and details before setting out. At the Mojave Transportation Museum’s monthly event on the third Saturday, the Transient Ramp beneath the old tower is opened to the public so visitors can view aircraft that have flown in.

No special permit is required to visit the public areas of Mojave Air & Space Port. Public tours are not offered. Check the current visitor information before your visit, as operational requirements may change.

Each viewpoint has its own conditions. Interest Point 4 offers a view of the Boneyard; parking is not allowed at this location. At Interest Point 8, the Storage Center, visitors can get a close look at large wind turbine components being unloaded at the edge of the airport. Check access conditions in advance. From Interest Point 9, you can see the north side of Mojave Air & Space Port and test sites to the northeast, used mainly for rocket engine testing. Also check roadside and access conditions there.

Mojave is located at the intersection of two major highways. The airfield’s history, exhibits, and events offer different points of interest when planning your stay around your interests.

Discover more destinations: Pine Mountain Club, Arvin, Rosamond, Kernville, Taft, Wasco, Boron, Lamont

For the overview of the wider travel region: Kern.