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Location DB > United States > California > Darwin > Darwin
 Name
Darwin
 Viewing Options
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 Database Info
created by tunnelbug on 3/6/2007 6:00 PM
last modified by tunnelbug on 3/7/2007 7:04 AM
 Viewability
Publically Viewable Publically Viewable
This location has been labeled by its creator as Public, and therefore can be viewed by anyone.
 Overview
 Description
Unlike many mining towns, Darwin never completely died. In 1880, 85 people still remained. In 1908 a ripple of excitement occurred over working of some low-grade ore deposits. The ore was shipped to the recently re-opened smelter in nearby Keeler, and life stirred in the moribund town. During the next decade more mines opened and older ones were re-worked. A new hotel was built, and the town began to show true signs of a resurgence. Then on August 17, 1917, a second major fire took out three homes, an automobile service garage, the brand new hotel, a saloon and a storehouse. Less than a year later, in July, 1918 a third fire swept down the other side of Main Street destroying a home, the Darwin Hotel, a pool hall, saloon, the store/post office and a number of outbuildings.



Darwin staggered but refused to fall.



In 1919 major development began on Mt. Ophir, and a company town was built to house all the miners needed to work the Wagner & Company Mine. Wagner was only the first of several lessees and owners of the property until 1942 when the mine was closed be the government order that all mines were to be closed for the “War Effort”.



In 1926 the Eichbaum toll road was pushed through Darwin and into Death Valley. In 1929 tourist cabins (like a motel) were built and a slight surge in tourist activity brought a little more life back into the quiet mining town. In 1937 the state highway (SH 190) was built, and Darwin lost its life giving tourist trade.



After the War ended, Anaconda Copper Mining Co. purchased the property and reopened the facilities, and within a couple years the Anaconda’s Darwin Mine was the number one lead mine in California. The mines remained in operation until the 1970s. The remains of that company camp almost overshadow the original site of the town.
 Basic Information
Type: Outdoors
Status: Abandoned
Accessibility: Easy
Recommendation: worth the trip
 Physical Information
Address

Darwin, California
United States
Owner:
 Hazards
 Interesting Features
Many buildings, dugouts (in which miners lived in tunnels burrowed into the ground), the old gas station with retro gas pumps still intact, an abandoned school house with a creepy statue, many buildings -- some abandoned, the dance house (read: bordello), a cemetary, and much, much more. This is no "tourist" ghost town. Though there are still residents, it's a ghost town, through-and-through.
 Security Measures
 Historical Dates
Built: 1874
Closed: 1878
 Required Equipment
  • flashlight
  • gloves
  • long pants / sleeves
  •  Recommended Equipment

     History
    The town was named after Dr. Darwin French, who also had a nearby peak, wash, stream, and canyon named after him. In 1874, rich silver-lead deposits were discovered in the surrounding hills, and Darwin grew to a populaation of over 1,000. By 1878, just four years later, the town was left nearly deserted, after everyone scrambled to Bodie.
     Media Coverage
    http://freepages.h.../usa/ca/darwin.htm
     Future Plans
    It will continue living, ironically as a testamant to its namesake :-)
     Stories


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     Photo Galleries
    Click to view gallery
    Death Valley Days -- Night Shoot
    Wed, Mar 7th, 2007
    posted by tunnelbug
    9 pictures
     


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     Web Links

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     Moderator Rating
    The moderator rating is a neutral rating of the content quality, photography, and coolness of this location.

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     Validation
    This location's validation is current. It was last validated by Emperor Wang on 3/7/2007 4:26 PM.

     Latest Changes
  • on Mar 7 07 at 16:26, Emperor Wang validated this location
  • on Mar 7 07 at 7:27, tunnelbug made this location available
  • on Mar 7 07 at 7:26, tunnelbug updated gallery picture Building?
  • on Mar 7 07 at 7:25, tunnelbug updated gallery picture Public Art or Past Relic?
  • on Mar 7 07 at 7:25, tunnelbug updated gallery picture Cemetary Obelisk
  • on Mar 7 07 at 7:24, tunnelbug updated gallery picture Car at Night
  • on Mar 7 07 at 7:24, tunnelbug updated gallery picture Statue in Abandoned School Building
  • on Mar 7 07 at 7:23, tunnelbug updated gallery picture Poorman's Plot
  • on Mar 7 07 at 7:23, tunnelbug updated gallery picture Wood Grave Markers
  • on Mar 7 07 at 7:23, tunnelbug updated gallery picture Darwin Cemetary
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