Summary
History of the Oasis at Death Valley
Founded by 19th-century miners, the Oasis at Death Valley has been restored with touches that honor its quirky history. If you’ve never been to Death Valley, the name probably conjures up images of an unforgiving sand-strewn landscape that’s arid and lifeless. However, it’s also home to an oasis where thousands of gallons of water rise to the surface every day.
The flooding leaves vast deposits of borax, a mineral sometimes known as “white gold.” Although its discovery has been traced back to Tibet in the 8th century, borax became popular in the 19th century, when it was widely used in ceramics and gold mining. It was also touted as a cure-all for everything from dandruff to epilepsy. In the late 1800s, bountiful deposits were discovered in Nevada, and later, in Death Valley (long before it became a national park). Harmony Works — later known as the Pacific Coast Borax Company — bought up thousands of acres of land to mine in the inhospitable terrain and built multiple railroads to transport the lucrative mineral out of Death Valley.
However, by 1926, another deposit had been discovered in the much-more accessible Mojave Desert, leading the Borax Company to abandon their mines in Death Valley. Railroad manager Frank Jenifer had the innovative idea to build a hotel on the property, which would utilize the rail lines to transport guests to a desert inn.
Opened in 1927 with ten rooms, the Inn at Death Valley quickly became favored by Hollywood celebrities like Clark Gable and later George Lucas, who filmed the original Star Wars movies in Death Valley. Consequently, the Inn expanded with more rooms, a spring-fed pool, tennis courts, and a golf course (the world’s lowest at 214 feet below sea level). Eventually, it added the more casual Ranch across the road, transforming the hideaway into a full-fledged resort.
As David Woodruff, a retired longtime employee and the resort’s unofficial historian, noted: “The Borax Company had a dream and despite the skepticism of most everyone outside the company, their vision of drawing visitors to this enchanted and mystical land was fulfilled.” The number of tourists visiting the Inn increased every year, even through the Great Depression. One potential explanation for that continued growth, despite challenging economic times, was President Herbert Hoover’s designation of Death Valley as a national monument in 1933, which recognized the region’s cultural, historical, and scientific value.
Recent Renovations and Features
Over time, the Inn became dated and the property’s hot springs were under-utilized. However, thanks to a $100 million facelift, it has been reborn as the destination-worthy Oasis at Death Valley. This resort serves as the ideal jumping-off point to explore some of the national park’s best attractions. Notable experiences include sunrise at Zabriskie Point, sunset at the Artist’s Palette, walking the salt flats at Badwater Basin, taking in Dante’s View, or catching the spring’s wildflower bloom. Nevertheless, it’s advisable to avoid visiting in summer when temperatures often soar above 100 degrees.
The renovated property, now privately owned by Xanterra Travel Collection, features 66 mission-style updated rooms and a refreshed lobby, restaurant, and cocktail lounge. Guests can also enjoy the new, two-treatment room Tranquility Spa — an invigorating massage is especially welcome after a day spent in Death Valley — located adjacent to the spring-fed pool, which is now bordered by a new pool café (where guests can order a date shake made with fruit grown on the property) and chic cabanas. Additionally, 22 stylish one-bedroom casitas have been added, perfect for families or small groups seeking more privacy and space.
Just across the road, the Ranch at Death Valley also underwent extensive renovations, including a mission-style town square complete with a courtyard displaying relics from the Borax age. Moreover, there’s a retail shop and refreshed food and beverage facilities, including an ice cream counter and saloon. The saloon is filled with hundreds of Old West artifacts, historic posters and photographs, antique firearms and ranching tools, taxidermied game animals, and vintage Western clothing and accessories, many pieces coming from Xanterra owner Philip Anschutz’s personal collection.
Attractions of Death Valley
Visitors can order a drink from the cheerful barkeep and peruse the saloon’s walls; thus, there’s no better way to end a long day spent discovering the hidden gems of Death Valley, which, as it turns out, isn’t so inhospitable after all.
