Near Tecopa in Inyo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Original Tecopa Town Site
Photographed by Craig Baker, October 24, 2021
1. Original Tecopa Town Site marker
This 160 acre parcel is the site of the original mining town of Tecopa, founded in 1878. The property now belongs to the Amargosa Conservancy, a non profit land trust. Please do not drive vehicles of any kind off the established paved roads here. We also ask that you respect the historical importance of this site by not collecting souvenirs or artifacts, or causing further damage with firearms. For more information contact the Amargosa Conservancy, P.O.Box 63, Shoshone CA 92384
panel 2:
The area beyond this sign was used historically as a setling basin for liquids used in silver and lead milling operations. The soil contains unsafe levels of several heavy metals and other substances that could pose a health hazard. Please stay out of this basin for your own safety and that of others. Thank you, Amargosa Conservancy.
Erected by Amargosa Conservancy.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.
Location. 35° 47.982′ N, 116° 6.055′ W. Marker is near Tecopa, California, in Inyo County. It is on Western Talc Road 0.2 miles west of Furnace Creek Road, on the right when traveling west. High
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 6 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: China Ranch (approx. 5.3 miles away); Salt Creek Hills (approx. 14.9 miles away); Dublin Gulch (approx. 15.3 miles away); Shoshone (approx. 15.4 miles away); Harry Wade Exit Route (approx. 15.7 miles away); Salt Creek (approx. 15.9 miles away).
Regarding Original Tecopa Town Site. The town began as a mill to process the ore from mines near Noonday and was located 5 miles southeast of Resting Springs. William D. and Robert D. Brown, brothers, founded the town in the 1870s and named it Brownsville. When Jonas Osborne bought out the Browns, he renamed the town after Indian Chief Tecopa. In 1907, the town was moved 9 miles west to its current location so that it would be closer to the new Tonopah & Tidewater Railroad.
Also see . . . Amargosa Conservancy. (Submitted on December 27, 2021.)
Photographed by Craig Baker, October 24, 2021
2. Marker panel 2
Photographed by Craig Baker
3. Tecopa Mill Ruins
4. Tecopa Mill - 1921
From the California report of the state mineralogist.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,117 times since then and 118 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 27, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on March 21, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
