Native Americans thrived here for millennia. Mining and cattle ranching first brought European Americans here in the 1860s, and the Homestead Act of 1862 accelerated the influx of newcomers. Hot summers, scarce water, and lack of wood for structures challenged them. Ranchers moved their animals to find food and water, and a few hardy prospectors mined for gold and silver. Eventually, about 300 mines dotted the landscape, but few made a profit. Desert Queen Mine, 5 miles (8 km) away, was an exception, operating longer and producing more than most. Bill Keys arrived at Desert Queen Mine in 1910. Through resourcefulness, tenacity, and teamwork, the Keys family prospered. Over time, a loose-knit community of homesteaders and miners grew around the Keys' ranch, and together they forged livelihoods in the Mojave Desert.