Nature, left to its own devices, is self-perpetuating. Not so man-made structures. And so GBI’s mission to advance applied research and ecological literacy applies not only to our natural resources, but also to our cultural resources. Take, for example, the historic Rock Springs Land and Cattle Company Headquarters Building at Barnwell and the Telegraph Operator’s House at OX Ranch within Mojave National Preserve. GBI has been working alongside the National Park Service (NPS) to ensure the stability and preservations of these structures, and to educate NPS personnel and public volunteers about the need to apply regular preservation methods to the wood, concrete, and plaster of the buildings.
During the Spring 2021 season, Nevada Conservation Corps partnered with Mojave National Preserve to complete historic preservation work on these two historic structures. A total of 7 AmeriCorps members served on this project and these members served a total of 481 hours. For the Rock Springs Land and Cattle Company Headquarters Building, the primary tasks included cleaning the inside of the building and removing non-original additions to the structure. The Telegraph Operator’s House required the removal of a non-original porch from around the outside of the building. Both structures also needed repair of broken windows, doors, and external boards for pest abatement.
The photograph topping this page shows the Rock Springs Land and Cattle Company Headquarters Building as the crew prepares to board up broken and missing windows. The photos below give additional insights into the conditions of the buildings and the work being done to ensure that their historic legacy perseveres.
