Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch

Death Valley was designated a National Monument, since upgraded to National Park, because the Pacific Coast Borax Company built a luxury resort in the hottest place on Earth. Furnace Creek Inn opened in 1927, the year after H.W. Eichbaum opened Stovepipe Wells resort in the upper valley. Pacific Coast Borax successfully lobbied to have the area designated a national monument to make it more appealing to tourists. Greenland Ranch, created in 1883 to provide agricultural products for the borax mines, became Furnace Creek Ranch lodgings in 1933, the year President Hoover proclaimed the monument.

When we visit Death Valley, we have almost always stayed at the ranch. We did stay at the Inn at least twice, and Stovepipe Wells at least once. Here are photos and videos from the Furnace Creek area.