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

Death Valley 49ers Gateway

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 30, 2025

1. Death Valley 49ers Gateway Marker

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. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1849.

Location. 36° 26.915′ N, 116° 51.162′ W. Marker is in Death Valley National Park, California, in Inyo County. It is at the intersection of California Route 190 and Badwater Road, on the right when traveling west on California Route 190. 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

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley (approx. one mile away); Borax Museum (approx. one mile away); Old Dinah (approx. one mile away); 20 Mule Team Wagon Train (approx. one mile away); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 1.2 miles away); Golden Canyon Trail (approx. 2 miles away); Old Harmony Borax Works (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Death Valley National Park.

Another marker is no longer nearby. 20 Mule Team Barn (was approx. one mile away but has been permanently removed).

Regarding Death Valley 49ers Gateway. This site was designated California Historical Landmark No. 442 on October 14, 1949. Master of Ceremonies was actor James Stewart.

Photographed by Craig Baker (CC0), October 28, 2020

2. Death Valley 49ers Gateway Marker

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

The Death Valley 49ers have met every year since then.

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

Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010

3. Death Valley 49ers Gateway Marker

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

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 28, 2020

4. Death Valley 49ers Gateway Marker, top detail

Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,728 times since then and 98 times this year. Last updated on February 26, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on March 30, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 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. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.