Death Valley National Park in Inyo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Leadfield
Dreams and Schemes
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 31, 2022
1. Leadfield Marker
The Roaring '20s, like the 1990s and early 2000s, fueled an age of excess and speculation, setting the stage for Leadfield, a town built on dreams of wealth. Lead deposits attracted prospectors to Titus Canyon as early as 1905, but transportation costs for hauling ore to smelters eventually ended mining efforts there. In 1926, promoter Charles Julian constructed a 22-mile-long road in Titus Canyon to Leadfield and his "Jazz Baby" mine. Investors, newspapers, and politicians got caught up in the enthusiasm, driving company stock prices from a dime to $3.30 a share. Leadfield grew to include a cafι, general store, and even a post office before it all collapsed in 1927, when allegations of fraud turned it into a ghost town. Left behind as a legacy was a thrilling road.
photo caption:
Ninety private cars hired by promoter Charles Julian brought 340 investors to join 800 other potential buyers for a free lunch and entertainment by a six-piece band.
Erected by Death Valley National Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
Location. 36° 50.899′ N, 117° 3.544′
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 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Leadfield (a few steps from this marker); Petroglyphs (approx. 1.8 miles away); Death Valley National Park (approx. 9.7 miles away); Transportation Traces (approx. 12.7 miles away); Old Stovepipe Wells (approx. 13.1 miles away); a different marker also named Keane Wonder Mine (approx. 14.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Death Valley National Park.
Other markers no longer nearby. Wagon Wheel History (was approx. 12.7 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Keane Wonder Mine (was approx. 14.9 miles away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. - Titus Canyon Road starting point.
Also see . . . Titus Canyon and Leadfield. The Death Valley National Park website includes directions and safety tips. Check the Alerts for road closures. (Submitted on March 2, 2026.)
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 31, 2022
2. Leadfield Marker
Photographed by Olga Z, March 31, 2022
3. Warehouse and Post Office
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 31, 2022
4. Abandoned Vehicle
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 31, 2022
5. Titus Canyon Road
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 445 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 9, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on April 18, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4, 5. submitted on April 9, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
