Death Valley National Park in Inyo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Bennett’s Long Camp

Bennett-Arcan Long Camp

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2016

1. Bennett’s Long Camp Marker

Inscription. Near this spot the Bennett-Arcane contingent of the Death Valley '49ers, emigrants from the Middle West, seeking shortcut to California gold fields, were stranded for a month and almost perished from starvation. William Lewis Manley and John Rogers, young members of the party, made a heroic journey on foot to San Fernando and, returning with supplies, led the party to the safety of San Francisquito Rancho near Newhall.

Erected 1949 by California Centennials Commission, and Death Valley ‘49ers. (Marker Number 444.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 36° 9.806′ N, 116° 51.8′ W. Marker is in Death Valley National Park, California, in Inyo County. It is on West Side Road 16 miles south of Badwater Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Death Valley CA 92328, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra

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Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Eagle Borax Works (approx. 2.6 miles away); Shorty Harris Grave (approx. 3.1 miles away); Badwater Pool (approx. 7 miles away); a different marker also named Devils Golf Course (approx. 8.7 miles away); West Side Road (approx. 14 miles away); Warm Springs Camp (approx. 14.1 miles away); Rogers Pass (approx. 14.9 miles away); Ryan Historic District (approx. 15.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Death Valley National Park.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Devils Golf Course (was approx. 8.7 miles away).

More about this marker. West Side Road is a dirt road and might be closed after a rain storm. Avoid traveling in remote areas during severe weather.

Regarding Bennett’s Long Camp. There

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2016

2. Bennett’s Long Camp Marker

are a few mistakes on this marker. The Arcan family name is misspelled Arcane. The San Francisquito Rancho near Newhall is actually the Rancho San Francisco near Valencia.

To learn more, read the book DEATH VALLEY IN ‘49 by William Lewis Manly, edited and annotated by Leroy and Jean Johnson in 2001.

Describing their arrival at the Rancho in the Santa Clarita Valley, Manly wrote: "There before us was a beautiful meadow of a thousand acres, green as a thick carpet of grass could make it, and shaded with oaks, wide-branching and symmetrical, equal to those of an old English park; while all over a herd of cattle numbering many hundreds, if not thousands ... were calmly laying down in happy rumination ... Such a scene of abundance and rich plenty and comfort bursting thus upon our eyes, which for months had seen only the desolation of the desert, was like getting a glimpse of Paradise, and tears of joy ran down our faces."

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The Rancho near Newhall/Valencia.

Additional keywords. Bennett’s, Bennett-Arcane, Bennett, Arcane

Road Sign, now missing image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2016

3. Road Sign, now missing

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 28, 2020

4. Bennett’s Long Camp Marker

Robert Taylor hosting “Death Valley Days” image. Click for full size.

5. Robert Taylor hosting “Death Valley Days”

Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2018. This page has been viewed 1,450 times since then and 166 times this year. Last updated on November 5, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 10, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on October 30, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on March 2, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.