1844 | Fremont party, following old Spanish Trail,
camped within sight of south end of Death Valley. |
1849 | Jayhawkers, Georgians, Bennett party, and
others entered valley through Furnace Creek on Christmas Day. |
1856 | First General Land Office survey of Death
Valley. |
1860 | Darwin French and S. G. George prospecting
parties explored Panamints and parts of valley, giving many place names
still in use. |
1861 | Lieutenant Ives explored region for California
Boundary Commission, using camels as pack animals. Prospecting parties
active. |
1864 | Jacob Breyfogle lost the famed Breyfogle
mine. |
1870 | Bellerin Tex Bennett started Furnace Creek
Ranch. |
1871 | Further explorations for Government by Wheeler
and Lyle. |
1872 | Panamint mines discovered. Panamint booms in
1874. |
1873 | First borax discovered in valley. |
1875 | Further exploration by Lt. Rogers
Birnie. |
1880 | Aaron Winters sold borax claims for $20,000.
Borax industry in valley started. |
1891 | Biological expedition by Merriam, Palmer,
Coville, and others. |
1904-08 | Goldfield mining boom, resulting in mining
camps of Rhyolite, Skidoo, Greenwater, etc. |
1926-27 | Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek Inn
established. Eichbaum toll road built from Darwin. Beginning of tourist
traffic to valley. |
1933 | Death Valley National Monument
established. |
1937 | Boundaries of monument extended. |