 |
| Landmark #444 | Inyo County | Visited: March 21, 2014 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A plaque marking the site where a pioneer group camped, later to name this desolate place “Death Valley!” |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: Near this spot the Bennett-Arcane contingent of the Death Valley ’49ers, emigrants from the Middle West seeking a shortcut to California gold fields, were stranded for a month and almost perished from starvation. William Lewis Manley and John Rogers, young members of the party, made a heroic journey on foot to San Fernando and, returning with supplies, led the party to the safety of San Francisquito Rancho near Newhall.
OTHER TIDBITS: This group had actually cut off from the larger Mojave San Joaquin Company led by Captain Jefferson Hunt, a regular guide between Utah and California! The Bennett-Arcane party was impatient with the pace of the “Sand Walking Company” and decided to try a shortcut, because, of course, they knew better than the seasoned guide! Thus, they ended up stranded in Death Valley and forever known as the “Lost 49ers!” |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
|
| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Death Valley National Monument From State Hwy 190 (P.M. 111.8), go approx 16 mi S of intersection of Badwater Rd and Westside Rd, on Westside Rd ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~306mi (493km) — 5.1hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |