Death Valley in the 1930s

Road Workers & Guidebook Writers put the National Monument on the Map
by Cheri Rae

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps built roads and campgrounds in the then-new Death Valley National Monument while the Federal Writers Project produced a guidebook.

Accommodations

In Death Valley: Furnace Creek Camp, sleeping and housekeeping cabins, restaurant, store; rates begin at $2 a day. Furnace Creek Inn (open Nov. 1-May 1), American Plan; $9.75 a day single, $15 a day double. Stove Pipe Wells Hotel (open Nov. 20-May 1), European plan; $3 a day up. Also sleeping cabins, rates from $1.50 a day, restaurant, coffee shop.

Texas Springs Public Camp: Camp sites, water toilets.

Death Valley Junction: Amargosa Hotel, European plan; dining room, fountain service, garage.

Lone Pine: Hotels, restaurant, store.

Ryan: Death Valley View Hotel.

Wildrose Canyon: Wildrose Station, restaurant, store, service station.

Service Stations

At all resorts. Emergency accommodations and service station in summer at Stove Pipe Wells Hotel and Furnace Creek Camp.

Warnings

Speed limit, 45 miles per hour. Advisable to carry drinking and radiator water. Service stations far apart in many sections. Keep oil and gas checked, and carry additional supplies if itinerary does not include service stations.

Do not travel closed roads without obtaining full information from rangers or from National Park Service Headquarters.