Death Valley National Park in Inyo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Skidoo
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 26, 2020
1. Skidoo Marker
You are standing in what once was downtown Skidoo.
Unlike other Death Valley boomtowns, Skidoo flourished for nearly ten years. At its height in 1907 it boasted 700 residents, a newspaper, bank, school, and telephone service. The hundreds of mines here earned about $1,600,000 (when gold sold at $20 per ounce), making Skidoo one of the most productive gold camps in California.
Skidoo was initially named "23 Skidoo," an early 20th-century slang term meaning to "go away" or "take off." The postal service refused to accept "23" as part of the name.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.
Location. 36° 26.061′ N, 117° 8.274′ W. Marker is in Death Valley National Park, California, in Inyo County. Marker is on Skidoo Road, 7 miles east of Emigrant Canyon Road, on the left when traveling east. 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 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Skidoo Mill (approx. 0.9 miles away); Journigan’s Mill (approx. 2.8 miles away); Aguereberry Camp (approx. 5.2 miles away); The Eureka Mine (approx.
this page online
Regarding Skidoo. In 1907, water was piped to the mill from 23 miles away, which is how the saying “23 Skidoo” inspired it’s name.
Skidoo is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 26, 2020
2. Skidoo Marker
Photographed By Craig Baker
3. Original Skidoo Marker - circa 1970
“A gold camp of 700 people - produced over $1,500,000. Water piped 23 miles from Telescope Peak. A telegraph from Rhyolite brought news from outside. Freight and stage lines ran to Randsburg and Rhyolite. Joe Simpson was lynched for the murder of Jim Arnold.”
Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 200 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on May 14, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
