About the Muralist
Dedication Date: March 26, 1996
Locaton: 29 Palms Thrift

Gold fever brought prospectors to the desert in the late 1800s. Men sought their fortunes near here, setting up camp where water was plentiful. One settlement was the Dirty Sock Camp, named for the method miners used to separate gold from mercury. They used chamois leather, but legend has it that if it wasn't available, someone would sacrifice a sock for the cause. This 14- by 40-foot mural was painted by artist John Whytock of Sugarloaf, CA, and is located at 73911 29 Palms Highway (29 Palms Thrift). Dedicated: March 23, 1996.