Furnace, California – Hope and Promise in Death Valley
The harsh and unforgiving landscape of Death Valley, California, might seem an unlikely place for dreams of prosperity and bustling communities. Yet, in the early 20th century, the allure of copper drew prospectors and investors alike to a remote corner of this arid expanse, giving rise to the short-lived but vibrant mining town of Furnace, California. This boomtown, born out of the Greenwater Mining District frenzy, serves as a poignant reminder of the ephemeral nature of mining fortunes and the enduring human desire to strike it rich, even in the face of formidable odds.
The story of Furnace, California, is inextricably linked to the broader narrative of the Greenwater District, a mining boom that briefly transformed the eastern slopes of the Black Mountain Range. Several settlements, including Kunze and Ramsey, sprang up in the wake of copper discoveries, but they would eventually consolidate under the banner of Greenwater. Before this consolidation, however, Furnace, California, emerged as a distinct entity, initially known as Clark’s Camp.
Its namesake was Patrick "Patsy" Clark, a prominent copper mining operator hailing from Spokane, Washington. Clark was already a well-established figure in the mining world, and his involvement lent credibility and attracted further investment to the fledgling Greenwater District. The origins of Clark’s Camp, which would become Furnace, California, can be traced back to the overflow of prospectors from the Bullfrog Hills rush. As available land in that area dwindled, hopeful miners ventured further afield, seeking new opportunities in the surrounding desert.
Two such men, Fred Birney and Phil Creasor, stumbled upon rich surface outcroppings of copper ore in the Greenwater Valley in February 1905. Recognizing the potential of their discovery, they sent samples to Patsy Clark. Impressed by the quality and quantity of the ore, Clark purchased their claims in May, marking the beginning of his involvement in the Greenwater District and the genesis of Furnace, California.
Clark wasted no time in capitalizing on his investment. He established the Furnace Creek Copper Company and, by June of the same year, had a fully operational mine with a team of eight men working on a 35-foot deep shaft. As the first major operator in the district, Clark aimed to quickly amass wealth by exploiting the substantial underground copper deposits that the surface croppings suggested. His initial efforts were focused on finding the main lode, the source of the surface riches.
By March 1906, although the main copper lode had yet to be discovered, Clark remained optimistic about the potential of the mine. He decided to invest further in exploration and development, incorporating the Furnace Creek Copper Company and offering stock to the public. The company was capitalized at $1,250,000, and shares were initially priced at 50 cents each, half of their par value. Clark offered 125,000 shares to the public, and within a mere three hours, every share was sold, a testament to the widespread excitement and belief in the potential of the Greenwater District and the Furnace, California, mine.
The rapid expansion of the mine led to the growth of the surrounding camp. As more miners and support personnel flocked to the area, Clark’s Camp evolved from a simple outpost into a nascent town. In July 1906, the Greenwater Mining District was officially formed, and post offices were established in both Clark’s Camp and the nearby town of Greenwater, solidifying their status as emerging communities within the desert landscape.
Initially, Clark had not intended for his camp to become a full-fledged town. However, the sheer influx of people and the demand for services forced his hand. Supplies and accommodations were scarce throughout the district, and miners naturally gravitated towards Clark’s Camp, where stores had been established to serve the needs of his employees. Recognizing the need to maintain order and control in the face of the burgeoning population, Clark decided to officially enter the townsite business in October. By December, advertisements were appearing in Rhyolite newspapers, promoting lots for sale in Furnace, California, at prices ranging from $250 to $750 apiece. The advertisements boldly proclaimed that Furnace, California, would become the metropolis of the Greenwater District.
The rivalry between Furnace, California, and Greenwater intensified as both towns competed for residents and resources. In February, the Death Valley Chuck-Walla newspaper estimated the population of the Greenwater District at 2,000, with 500 residing in Furnace, California. Both towns were described as bustling and vibrant, boasting hotels, lodging houses, saloons, feed corrals, freight companies, meat markets, auto lines, brokerage houses, attorneys, newspapers, and more. Ambitious plans were also underway to bring further infrastructure to the district, including three proposed railroad lines, a water pipeline from the Ash Meadows Water Company, and an electric light system.
Despite the significant capital investments and the initial optimism, the fortunes of Furnace, California, and the entire Greenwater District were ultimately tied to the elusive copper lode. By early 1908, the anticipated massive ore body had still not been found, and many of the smaller mining operations had ceased to exist. As the population dwindled, the Furnace, California, post office closed in February, signaling the beginning of the town’s decline. The only remaining hope for the district rested on the shoulders of two major mines: Patsy Clark’s Furnace Creek Copper Company in Furnace, California, and Charles Schwab’s Greenwater Death Valley Copper Company.
Both companies continued to invest heavily in their operations, sinking their shafts deeper than 500 feet in search of the elusive ore bodies. However, the geological realities of the region proved to be more challenging than anticipated. By March 1909, Patsy Clark finally conceded defeat and ceased work on the mine at Furnace, California. The Greenwater Death Valley Copper Company persevered for a few more months, but it too eventually succumbed to the challenges and ceased operations in September. Both companies ultimately abandoned their properties, allowing them to revert to Inyo County for unpaid property taxes.
With the collapse of the mining industry, the fate of Furnace, California, was sealed. Most of the buildings in the area were easily disassembled and moved, and their owners quickly relocated to other areas in search of new opportunities. The remaining structures were eventually acquired by R.J. Fairbanks, the last merchant of Greenwater, who transported them to Shoshone, where he established a small store that ultimately grew into a successful desert oasis.
Today, little remains of the once-thriving town of Furnace, California. Mining was never revived in the Greenwater District, and by 1917, only a single deserted cabin marked the site of the former community. The location of the old town is approximately 6.5 miles north-northwest of Funeral Peak, nestled within the rugged Funeral Mountains. The story of Furnace, California, serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the boom-and-bust cycles that have characterized many mining communities throughout the American West. It is a testament to the allure of quick riches, the challenges of extracting resources from harsh environments, and the ephemeral nature of dreams built on fleeting mineral wealth.