Furnace Creek in Death Valley National Park in Inyo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley
Photographed by Craig Baker, October 30, 2020
1. Furnace Creek Ranch Marker
Furnace Creek is a spring-fed stream flowing into Death Valley. Native Americans lived here centuries prior to its discovery by lost Forty Niners. In 1881, Aaron Winters found borax nearby, and sold his claims and water rights to William Tell Coleman. Greenland Ranch was constructed at this site to support the borax workmen and twenty-mule teams. Francis Marion Smith acquired the site for his company which became US Borax and renamed it Furnace Creek Ranch. They produced borax in the valley until 1927.
The Ranch was opened to guests in 1932. The Museum was set up by Harry Gower and Ann Rosener in 1954 in the oldest structure in the Valley, built about 1883.
Fred Harvey Company purchased the Death Valley properties from US Borax in 1969.
Erected 1996 by E Clampus Vitus Slim Princess Chapter No. 395; and Furnace Creek Ranch.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.
Location. 36° 27.406′ N, 116° 51.992′ W.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Borax Museum (a few steps from this marker); Old Dinah (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 20 Mule Team Wagon Train (about 300 feet away); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 0.4 miles away); Death Valley 49ers Gateway
Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
2. Borax Museum - See Nearby Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. 20 Mule Team Barn (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. The name of Furnace Creek Ranch has been changed to The Ranch At Death Valley, by the new owner, Xanterra Parks & Resorts.
The hottest place on Earth is Furnace Creek, at 190 feet below sea level, where a temperature of 134°F / 56.7°C was recorded on July 10, 1913.
Additional commentary.
1. E Clampus Vitus
The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus (ECV) is a fraternal organization dedicated to the study and preservation of Western Heritage, especially the history of the Mother Lode and gold mining regions of the area. There are chapters in California, Nevada and other Western states.
— Submitted June 20, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
3. Marker and Museum
Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
4. Marker and Museum
Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
5. 20 Mule Team Wagons
At their former location near the highway.
Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
6. 20 Mule Team Barn (Demolished)
Moved here in 1960 from its
original site at Mojave, terminus
of the 20 Mule Team route, 1884-1889.
(Demolished)
Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
7. Museum Display - DVRR 2
This 60 ton, oil burning Baldwin Locomotive hauled borate ore from the mines at Ryan to the mill and main line at Death Valley Junction from 1916 until the railroad was abandoned in 1931.
Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
8. Ore Car
Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
9. Miners Car
Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
10. Panamint Valley Stage
Used on Beatty-Skidoo run, 1890-1910.
Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
11. Water wheel
Ferris H. Scott, Santa Ana, Ca. - Western Resort Publications. Santa Ana, Ca. Color by Josef Muench, circa 1970/s
12. Furnace Creek Ranch
Description on postcard: Death Valley National Monument, California - Furnace Creek Ranch Gates.
The picturesque entrance to this historic ranch (178 ft. below sea level) where guests enjoy the outdoor life of a modern dude ranch in America's most historic and fabulous valley. Charter parties in large buses come and go every few days during the season.
Photographed by Craig Baker, October 27, 2020
13. The Ranch at Death Valley
A recent name change, and ongoing rebuilding of the resort.
Photographed by Don Morfe, June 10, 1994
14. Death Valley Post Office
This historic building was demolished in 2019.
Ferris H. Scott, Santa Ana, Ca. - Western Resort Publications. Santa Ana, Ca. Color by Josef Muench
15. Death Valley National Monument, California
A typical twenty-mule team borax outfit in the foreground with the majestic Telescope Peak looming up in the background some 11,049 feet above sea level. The base of this mountain is below sealevel and it is the highest point in the Panamint Range.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,342 times since then and 140 times this year. Last updated on November 6, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on October 30, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on June 20, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 10, 11. submitted on April 4, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 12. submitted on June 20, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 13. submitted on October 30, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 14. submitted on January 6, 2017, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 15. submitted on June 20, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
