Near Furnace Creek in Inyo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Death Valley 49ers Gateway

By Craig Baker, October 28, 2020

1. Death Valley 49ers Gateway Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Through this natural gateway the Death Valley Forty-Niners, more than one hundred emigrants from the middle west, seeking a shortcut to gold fields of central California, entered Death Valley in December, 1849. All suffered from thirst and starvation. Two contingents went southwest from here, the others proceeded northward seeking an escape from region.

Erected 1949 by California Centennials Commission. Base Furnished by Death Valley 49ers, Inc. (Marker Number 442.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list.

Location. 36° 26.915′ N, 116° 51.162′ W. Marker is near Furnace Creek, California, in Inyo County. Marker is on California Route 190 near Badwater Road, on the right when traveling west. Located in Death Valley National Monument 1.3 miles southeast of Furnace Creek. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Death Valley CA 92328, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the

By Craig Baker, October 28, 2020

2. Death Valley 49ers Gateway Marker

Located near The Inn at Death Valley, formerly Furnace Creek Inn.

crow flies. Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley (approx. one mile away); Old Dinah (approx. one mile away); 20 Mule Team Wagon Train (approx. one mile away); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 1.2 miles away); Old Harmony Borax Works (approx. 2.4 miles away); Borax (approx. 2½ miles away); White Gold (approx. 2½ miles away); Zabriskie Point (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Furnace Creek.

Regarding Death Valley 49ers Gateway. This site was designated as California Registered Historical Landmark No.442 on October 14, 1949.

Also see . . . Death Valley National Park. Badwater Basin, in Death Valley National Park, is the lowest place in North America and one of the lowest places in the world at 282 feet below sea level. (Submitted on June 15, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010

3. Death Valley 49ers Gateway Marker

Death Valley 49ers Gateway Marker, top detail image. Click for full size.

By Craig Baker, October 28, 2020

4. Death Valley 49ers Gateway Marker, top detail

By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010

5. Death Valley 49ers Gateway Marker, top detail

Death Valley 49ers Gateway Marker, near Badwater Road image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010

6. Death Valley 49ers Gateway Marker, near Badwater Road

Elevation: Sea Level

Death Valley 49ers Gateway Marker near the one time Furnace Creek Inn image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010

7. Death Valley 49ers Gateway Marker near the one time Furnace Creek Inn

Death Valley 49ers Gateway Marker looking east along State Road 190 image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010

8. Death Valley 49ers Gateway Marker looking east along State Road 190

Death Valley 49ers Gateway , a view of what lies ahead image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010

9. Death Valley 49ers Gateway , a view of what lies ahead

Death Valley 49ers Gateway at Badwater Basin image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010

10. Death Valley 49ers Gateway at Badwater Basin

Death Valley 49ers Gateway , on the salt flats at Badwater Basin image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010

11. Death Valley 49ers Gateway , on the salt flats at Badwater Basin

at 282 feet below sea level.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,380 times since then and 4 times this year. Last updated on July 29, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 28, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on June 15, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on October 28, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on June 15, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 9, 10, 11. submitted on April 24, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.