“With historic American trading routes, trails followed by Spanish explorers, a transcontinental rail line, and the nation's most famous highway, the Mojave Trails area tells the American story of exploration, migration, and commerce,” the proclamation stated. “The Mojave Trails area is an invaluable treasure and will continue to serve as an irreplaceable national resource for geologists, ecologists, archaeologists, and historians for generations to come.”
In the proclamation, President Obama highlighted the various ways in which the Mojave Trails provides unique opportunities to the country, including the unique geological, paleontological, ecological, zoological, and archaeological research opportunities it presents. The Mojave Trails has also played a role in the nation’s history, hosting Route 66 and several training camps for General George S. Patton Jr.’s troops as they prepared for the North African theatre of World War II.
“The protection of the Mojave Trails area will preserve its cultural, prehistoric, and historic legacy and maintain its diverse array of natural and scientific resources, ensuring that the prehistoric, historic, and scientific values of this area remain for the benefit of all Americans,” the proclamation said..
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