Death Valley National Park in Inyo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Zabriskie Point
From Wasteland to Wonderland
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 28, 2020
1. Zabriskie Point Marker
Mining comes and goes with fluctuating demand for minerals, but the draw of the desert is eternal. By the 1920s borax mining activity had slowed and the Pacific Coast Borax Company began looking for other uses for its holdings in Death Valley. The elegant Furnace Creek Inn first opened for business in 1927 with great success.
In a move to preserve the frontier nature of the desert and to attract more guests to the inn, the borax company initiated the move to protect Death Valley. It became a national monument in 1933 and a national park in 1994. The transition from mining to tourism proved to be the saving grace for the mining company and Death Valley.
Christian B. Zabriskie (1864-1936) was vice president and general manager of the Pacific Coast Borax Company. He oversaw the operations in Death Valley during the transition from mining to tourism.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 36° 25.197′ N, 116° 48.74′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Golden Canyon Trail (approx. 1.9 miles away); Death Valley 49ers Gateway (approx. 3 miles away); Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley (approx. 3.9 miles away); Old Dinah (approx. 4 miles away); 20 Mule Team Wagon Train (approx. 4 miles away); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 4.2 miles away); Old Harmony Borax Works (approx. 5.2 miles away); White Gold (approx. 5.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Death Valley National Park.
More about this marker. Two additional interpretive signs nearby explain the geology of this area.
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 28, 2020
2. Zabriskie Point Marker
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 28, 2020
3. Zabriskie Point
Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 209 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 6, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
