Google Maps - Google Earth. What is Burning Man? : The Growth of Black Rock City. Origins The historic origins of what was to become Black Rock City began with the relocation of the Man's burning from Baker Beach in San Francisco to the Black Rock Desert, Nevada in 1991. view full size imageDue to the several hundred mile trip, it was necessary to establish an overnight camp near the Man for the 250 participants who attended.
The original form of the camp was a circle. This was not particularly planned, but formed instinctively from the traditional campfire circle and the urge to "circle the wagons" against the nearly boundless space. The following year, an informal plan was required by the B.L.M. for permission to camp. Not only was it difficult to find our modest settlement in the expanse, but people exiting our village frequently got lost or mired on the margins of the playa. View full size imageAt the urging of founder and director Larry Harvey, a hub gradually developed which centralized services and provided a gathering place. Summary. Burningman.jpg (Image JPEG, 600x473 pixels) Black Rock City.
Black_rock_city_map.gif (Image GIF, 718x566 pixels) Black Rock City.