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

Borax Museum

Oldest House in Death Valley

— 1883 —

Borax Museum Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 18, 2025

1. Borax Museum Marker

Inscription.
This building was constructed in 1883 by F.M. "Borax" Smith, founder of the Pacific Coast Borax Co. The oldest house in Death Valley, it stood originally in Twenty Mule Team Canyon where it was an office, bunk house, and ore checking station for miners at the Monte Blanco deposits. In 1954 the building was moved here to serve as a museum. The objects within and around were assembled by the company so that visitors to the Valley might better understand the history of the region. The museum is maintained in the public interest.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 36° 27.412′ N, 116° 51.995′ W. Marker is in Death Valley National Park, California, in Inyo County. It is in Furnace Creek. It can be reached from California Route 190 one mile north of Badwater Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 328 Greenland Blvd, Death Valley CA 92328, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker

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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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley (a few steps from this marker); Old Dinah (within shouting distance of this marker); 20 Mule Team Wagon Train (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 0.4 miles away); Death Valley 49ers Gateway (approx. one mile away); Old Harmony Borax Works (approx. 1.6 miles away); Borax (approx. 1.7 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 within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by Craig Baker

2. Borax Museum Marker

Borax Museum and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

3. Borax Museum and Marker

Borax Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

4. Borax Museum

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 28, 2025

5. Borax Museum

The bench and smaller lamps on this porch are from the Tonopah and Tidewater railroad.

Borax Museum Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

6. Borax Museum Building

Original location in Twenty Mule Team Canyon, 1883-1954.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 15, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.