Highway 266 rises between the Palmetto and Sylvania Mountains and then levels off on a high desert plateau. Here on a roadside knoll, is the once thriving mining town of Palmetto. Nestled among the sage, the skeletal remains of the old mill office building stands as a reminder of those who attempted to extract ore from this harsh desert environment. Palmetto was founded in 1866 and became a haven for miners seeking silver. Early settlers named the town after the abundance of Joshua Trees in the area that they mistakenly thought were palms. |