Death Valley National Park in Inyo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Devil’s Cornfield
Photographed By Craig Baker, April 4, 2022
1. Devil’s Cornfield Marker
Seeking to capitalize on the mystique of Death
Valley, early promoters attached dubious names
like "Devils Cornfield" to its strange and unusual
features. Thought to resemble bundled corn left
to dry in rows at harvest time, the root system of
the arrowweed binds the soil around each plant.
The mesquite trees at the base of the sand dunes in the distance have made similar adaptations,
hoarding the soil to support their growth.
Arrowweed does well in soils that are only
slightly salty and is an indicator of a shallow
water table. As the name suggests, Native
Americans used the ridged stems of the
arrowweed as arrow shafts.Erected by Death Valley National Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Natural Features • Parks & Recreational Areas.
Location. 36° 36.984′ N, 117° 4.309′ W. Marker is in Death Valley National Park, California, in Inyo County. Marker is on California Route 190, 6 miles east of Stovepipe Wells Village, on the left
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Old Stovepipe Wells (approx. 3 miles away); Death Valley’s First Tourist Resort (approx. 4.1 miles away); Burned Wagons Point (approx. 4.2 miles away); Road To Adventure (approx. 4.2 miles away); Eichbaum Toll Road (approx. 4.3 miles away); Keane Wonder Mine (approx. 9.7 miles away); An Architectural Heritage (approx. 11.9 miles away); Skidoo (approx. 13.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Death Valley National Park.
Photographed By Craig Baker, April 4, 2022
2. Marker Detail
Wind scours the surrounding sand away, leaving the plants stranded on a pedestal of root and earth.
Photographed By Craig Baker, April 4, 2022
3. Devil’s Cornfield and Marker
Photographed By Craig Baker, April 4, 2022
4. Devil’s Cornfield Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,143 times since then and 523 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 12, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
