Some folks called it hell.
.jpg "Furnace Creek Inn Death Valley NP CA")
Furnace Creek Inn
Originally built as a working ranch in the 1880s it is now a complete resort complex including 224 guest units, three restaurants, a saloon, a general store, an airstrip, gift shops, gas station, post office, three campgrounds, horse rides, carriage rides, golf course, tennis courts and swimming pool. This is as close as I got to Death Valley National Park Furnace Creek. Way too swanky for my budget and a major difference to the lifestyle at Harmony Borax Works where we’d just visited.
.jpg "Old locomotive Furnace Creek Death Valley NP CA")
Old locomotive
After the closure of borax mines in Death Valley the Pacific Coast Borax Company from 20 Mule Team fame encouraged tourists to use their narrow gauge railway to visit Death Valley. The Furnace Creek Inn was completed in 1927 but the railroad closed in 1930 because tourists preferred the freedom of driving their own cars.
.jpg "Inside Borax museum Furnace Creek Death Valley NP CA")
Inside Borax Museum
In 1926, the company promoted the idea of Death Valley becoming a national park to the director of the National Park Service Stephen Mather. But because of his prior employment with the borax company and to avoid favoritism he suggested media support and thus the successful radio program Death Valley Days was created. Finally in 1933, President Hoover created Death Valley National Monument and in 1994 Congress designated it as a National Park.
.jpg "Old stagecoach Furnace Creek Death Valley NP CA")
Old stage coach
Springs in the Amargosa Range created a natural oasis at Furnace Creek which according to a US Geologic Survey report has subsequently dwindled due to diversion of this water to support the developed area. Who’s surprised about that, it’s a damn desert.
.jpg "Old grinding mill Furnace Creek Death Valley NP CA")
Old grinding mill
Furnace Creek has the distinction of holding the record for the highest ever recorded temperature in the United States reaching 134 °F (57 °C) on July 10, 1913. Elevation is 190 feet (58 meters) below sea level. No wonder this place gets called hell. But the 2000 census only showed the population as 31.
Furnace Creek InnOriginally built as a working ranch in the 1880s it is now a complete resort complex including 224 guest units, three restaurants, a saloon, a general store, an airstrip, gift shops, gas station, post office, three campgrounds, horse rides, carriage rides, golf course, tennis courts and swimming pool. This is as close as I got to Death Valley National Park Furnace Creek. Way too swanky for my budget and a major difference to the lifestyle at Harmony Borax Works where we’d just visited.
Old locomotiveAfter the closure of borax mines in Death Valley the Pacific Coast Borax Company from 20 Mule Team fame encouraged tourists to use their narrow gauge railway to visit Death Valley. The Furnace Creek Inn was completed in 1927 but the railroad closed in 1930 because tourists preferred the freedom of driving their own cars.
Inside Borax MuseumIn 1926, the company promoted the idea of Death Valley becoming a national park to the director of the National Park Service Stephen Mather. But because of his prior employment with the borax company and to avoid favoritism he suggested media support and thus the successful radio program Death Valley Days was created. Finally in 1933, President Hoover created Death Valley National Monument and in 1994 Congress designated it as a National Park.
Old stage coachSprings in the Amargosa Range created a natural oasis at Furnace Creek which according to a US Geologic Survey report has subsequently dwindled due to diversion of this water to support the developed area. Who’s surprised about that, it’s a damn desert.
Old grinding millFurnace Creek has the distinction of holding the record for the highest ever recorded temperature in the United States reaching 134 °F (57 °C) on July 10, 1913. Elevation is 190 feet (58 meters) below sea level. No wonder this place gets called hell. But the 2000 census only showed the population as 31.
.jpg "Furnace Creek Inn Death Valley NP CA")
Furnace Creek Inn, an oasis in the Funeral MountainsThe visitor center was very interesting, so much so that I got sidetracked and didn’t take any pictures. But I picked up a Junior Ranger book. Then we went on a guided Ranger walk into Natural Bridge Canyon.
134 degrees?!!! How could anyone want to live in that heat? It's no wonder the population is 31!
This is a very interesting post about Furnace Creek. I hadn't heard of it before. I enjoyed reading the history of it.
Again, you have made a interesting Post for me. A recorded high temp. of 134 degrees! Geez! That's quite hot, to say the least. I've had it when it get's close to 100 degrees here in the summer. Just can't take the heat like I used to.
That Inn must be pretty nice. Like you said, it's too rich for me also. I'm not a fancy person, so I don't really need anything like that. Now I know the story behind the 20 Mule Team Borax product. I had forgotten all about that stuff. Even though it's very hot there, I'd like to snoop around first hand and see for myself.
Thanks for your Post.
Les
A swanky resort in the middle of hell… now THAT'S funny!!
I like the names of those places, Furnace Creek, Death Valley, and Funeral Mountains. The inside of the Borax Museum looks interesting. Looking forward to learning about Natural Bridge Canyon!
Gaelyn, your post is informative and very interesting. There is so much history in our countries most of us know so little of. Thank you for doing such a fine job of interpreting it for us and your photos are wonderful. Have fun and have a great weekend.
Smiles
Wow, what an interesting place. Indeed a place to visit and not live….. Your pictures and words tell a good story about the area! That resort does look mighty fancy, but quite a nice oasis in such a place.
Thanks for visiting my Astoria, Oregon, Daily Photo. You helped me discover your wonderful blog, which I've now linked to my side bar. I look forward to coming back often.
What an interesting area. Found myself trying to find some "borax" at the food market
Very interesting I haven't seen much of Death Valley before. It would have been a bit bouncy in the old stage coach, but travel by the old railway would of been fun provided it wasn't as hot as that hottest day!
now that is hot, what an interesting post, I have never ever been there, but what you're telling us it's worth the trip.
Gill in Canada
It is interesting to see that the highest point (Mt. Whitney)and the lowest point in the continental u.s. (Death Valley) are within walking range of each other. The diversity between the two points is astounding.
I'm glad someone had the foresight to preserve this area as a national park. But i have to admit I cannot even imagine a temperature of 134!
Hi Gaelyn,
Thanks for stopping by. I find I get a little cabin feverish in Jan and February so I have been going off island to visit the rest of Canada. I am headed off to Ottawa at the end of the month and will be housesitting, a house, 2 dogs, 1 cat and a riding snow removal tractor….yea ha! for 4 months so that I can welcome my first grandchild into the world. My daughter and son-in-law live in Ottawa and are Baby boy Smyth is due at the end of February.
I belong to an International housesitting organization call Homecarers.com where you can register as a housesitter from anywhere from a week to half a year all over the world. Like anything else it is buyer beware but I have had nothing but great experiences.
Are you still heading off to South Africa this winter/spring???
Smiles
Furnace Creek, Funeral Mts, Death Valley. Who's in charge of PR in that place?!
I'd like to visit it in February – or maybe November had comfortable temps, too?
Yikes.thats pretty hot ..well looks like this time of year is best to visit there..I am hoping to stop there on our way to Vegas..any campground you would recommend?
I'd never considered visiting there before, but you make it sound so ineresting that I'm going to have to figure out how to work it my travel plans some day.
Being a ranger must be wonderful. I can only imagine going all the places you've been. And thank you for being a part of taking care of our natural resources. Not everyone is willing to do it. Those who do are special. Like you.
There are LOTS of towns in North Dakota with a population of less than 31. Although with age, I'm liking warmer weather better than cold, 134 might be a bit extreme.
Oh what a pity about the railroad. I think it would have been the perfect way to see the place.
I this area is so steeped in history and I am still sorry I missed it. Thanks you for your wonderful pictures and fantastic information Gaelyn.
Your header is amazing!
Joyce M
Not a wonder the population is low. Still, what a great place to visit! Love the pics!
Man that is so interesting. A working ranch in Death Valley. the place looks fantastic—to rich for me too.
Great info as usual and too funny about getting so into things you forgot to take pics. LOL MB
I liked this look back to the past – the old stage coach and the old black pot hanging on the wall were wonderful! Hope your dial-up starts working better. Don't understand why it would change the way you see the blogs. I'd think it would just be slower.
Gaelyn: Great photos from that part of Death Valley.
I've been told that you have to make reservations to stay in a hotel (there's only one, right?) a year before – I'm beginning to get the picture why:)
You have such a great set of Death Valley posts!
I am all for preservation and remembering the past. To see museums and visitor centres like this always warms my heart.
That truly is a barren landscape but the rock formations you've been posting are truly amazing. But I've said that before!