The Mysterious Megaphone of the Mojave Desert
First Image / Flickr
Most likely, it was placed in the desert about 30-plus years ago. Although the megaphone has two heavy parts, many people will be able to pull it easily.
Metal Megaphone
There are no markings on the case indicating the origin and date of manufacture. Someone recently threw an animal skin over the holes and used a megaphone as a drum, but that was definitely not its original purpose. Others have suggested it is part of a rocket system or venturi, an hourglass-shaped hull used to control the flow rate.
Since it has crosshair-shaped metal stripes, some have mistaken it for a sighting device. There are more fantastic theories - perhaps a tool pointing to the location of a California cave system that stretches for hundreds of miles, or even a gold treasure tag. However, given its shape, the moniker "megaphone" makes a lot of sense. Perhaps it's part of an outdated warning system, like a tornado siren.
The Nevada Proving Ground (now Nevada National Security Zone) is not that far away. In 1963, American weapons would have been tested above ground and then underground. Even though the megaphone is 240 kilometers away, something similar can likely be used to detect long-range shock waves or other interference. And perhaps the megaphone was used to raise a siren that alerted locals when the US military conducted secret chemical or gas tests in the area.
Mojave desert directions
If you have a passable vehicle with high ground clearance, you can get to the megaphone and climb the mountain to see it with your own eyes. You will need to drive across the Mojave River, then along dirt roads and sand. Take Highway 15 off Afton Canyon Road and head east to the campground. From there, continue for another 20-25 km. The exact coordinates of the megaphone are 35.0056 degrees north latitude, 116.1963 degrees west longitude.
As a person, you have the motivation or means of seeing the Mojave desert mysteries and Megaphone. These strange objects stimulate strange movements in the human imagination. This stretch of the Mojave Desert can be deadly, with temperatures reaching 54 degrees Celsius in summer. It is best to travel during the cooler season. Also, keep in mind that this is a remote location no matter the weather, and you won't have cellular coverage in the event of a car malfunction or other emergency.
Source | Adventure.howstuffworks /Atlasobscura / Campsitephotos / Theradavist / Campsitephotos
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