The Mojave Desert Archives preserves the history of transcontinental travel to the Los Angeles region through the Mojave Desert of eastern California. Route 66, National Old Trails Road, the Mojave Wagon Road, the Santa Fe Railway (now BNSF), Union Pacific Railroad, and Interstate highways were and are major transit routes through the desert terminating in the Los Angeles basin.

The Yosemite Archives contain historical records and manuscripts related to Yosemite's history, including the donated papers of ethnographers and scientists, resource management records, historic park administrative records, and slide, photo, and film collections.