The Greenwater Mining District – Great Promise in the Desert
The Greenwater Valley, a harsh and unforgiving landscape nestled within the vast expanse of Death Valley, California, witnessed a mining boom of unparalleled intensity. While other districts scattered throughout the Death Valley region, such as Bullfrog, Lee-Echo, Panamint, Skidoo, and Leadfield, experienced their own rushes and periods of intense activity, none could rival the meteoric rise and spectacular promise of Greenwater. Within a mere year and a half of the initial discovery, this desolate corner of the desert transformed into a bustling hub of activity, boasting a population exceeding 2,000 residents spread across four burgeoning towns. A staggering 73 incorporated mining companies staked their claim, fueled by over $140 million in capitalization, making The Greenwater Mining District the focal point of immense financial investment.
However, what truly distinguished The Greenwater Mining District from its contemporaries was not merely the sheer magnitude of its boom, but also its remarkably brief lifespan. In an almost unbelievable turn of events, the district experienced the shortest existence ever recorded for a mining camp of its size. Within a single year of reaching its zenith, nearly all of the mining companies, save for a meager five, had abandoned the area. The once-thriving towns of Greenwater Valley were swiftly deserted, left to the silence and solitude of the desert. A mere two years later, the final vestiges of civilization vanished, leaving the Greenwater Valley, once a scene of frenzied activity and fervent hope, completely abandoned.
This extraordinary combination of a colossal boom, a fleeting existence, and subsequent complete abandonment, all within the span of less than four years, has cemented The Greenwater Mining District‘s name in the annals of Western folklore. The very name "Greenwater" became anathema to investors, a cautionary tale whispered among those who dared to venture into the volatile world of desert mining. Few, if any, mining camps in the American West have ever witnessed such a dramatic juxtaposition of initial excitement and ultimate disappointment. The story of The Greenwater Mining District serves as a stark reminder of the capricious nature of fortune and the inherent risks associated with the pursuit of riches in the unforgiving landscape of the American West.
The initial discovery of The Greenwater Mining District, much like many other finds in the Death Valley area, can be attributed to the ripples of the Bullfrog boom, located approximately 65 miles to the north. As the rush to the Bullfrog Hills intensified, available land became increasingly scarce, forcing late-arriving prospectors to venture further afield in search of untapped riches. Two such men, Fred Birney and Phil Creasor, ventured south along the eastern flank of the Black Mountain Range. In February 1905, their search for gold led them to a far more significant discovery: rich surface outcroppings of an immense copper belt in Greenwater Valley. Recognizing the potential of their find, Birney and Creasor sent samples to Patsy Clark of Spokane, Washington, a renowned copper mining operator. Clark, impressed by the remarkably high copper values at the surface, promptly purchased the claims from the two prospectors in May.
News of Clark’s acquisition, particularly the exceptionally high copper values found near the surface, piqued the interest of F. August Heinze, the "Copper King" of Butte, Montana. Heinze, a prominent figure in the copper industry, visited the newly discovered locations and was equally captivated by the potential of the site. The remarkably rich surface showings proved irresistible, prompting Heinze and his partners to acquire 16 copper claims from another pair of early prospectors for the substantial sum of $275,000. This transaction, which brought considerable newspaper attention to the area, was reported by the Inyo Independent, noting that the "vast copper deposits in the Funeral Range have long been known to prospectors, but their inaccessibility to the markets prevented working." However, with the flourishing camp of Bullfrog to the north and the promise of railroads extending into the desert regions, the logistical challenges of transportation and supply appeared significantly less daunting. Despite these advancements, the Greenwater Valley remained a considerable distance from established centers of civilization.
As word spread rapidly about the involvement of two major copper operators in Greenwater, a full-fledged rush ensued. Prospectors and mining enthusiasts flocked to the area, eager to stake their claims on the remaining prime locations. As is typical during new mining booms, transportation challenges were paramount. Many prospectors, including one who reported for the Inyo Independent, were forced to walk the arduous journey from Bullfrog to the new district, a trek that took three grueling days. The conditions were harsh, with temperatures soaring to 113 degrees Fahrenheit even in September. The reporter-prospector recounted having to rest frequently while erecting monuments to mark his claims. Compounding the heat was the complete absence of water in the district, forcing prospectors who exhausted their supplies to abandon their work and return to Bullfrog, the nearest source of sustenance.
By late June 1905, Patsy Clark already had eight men working on his property, and a shaft had been sunk 35 feet into the earth. As the year progressed, other prominent figures entered the scene, including Arthur Kunze, who secured some of the most promising ground in the area and employed five men by the year’s end.
The year 1906 marked a significant turning point for the Greenwater Valley. Kunze, Clark, and Heinze found themselves surrounded by a multitude of mining promoters, prospectors, and miners eager to capitalize on the burgeoning opportunities. Clark established a mining camp near his mine to support his operations, and other smaller camps began to sprout along the valley floor.
However, as the rush continued, it became increasingly apparent that the lack of a reliable water source in the vicinity posed a significant obstacle. As a Rhyolite stockbroker aptly remarked, "The water proposition is the serious drawback in that section at present and will be a matter of considerable expense; yet the earmarks of the country seem to show that any expense would be justified, judging from the surface indications."
Despite the daunting challenges posed by water scarcity and transportation difficulties, the allure of the rich surface indications proved irresistible. Men and money continued to pour into the district. As spring unfolded, some of Nevada’s most prominent mining figures joined the fray, reinvesting fortunes amassed in Tonopah and Goldfield into the promising new district.
"All of the great copper magnates are looking to this section," reported the Inyo Register in May, "which is destined to become the next great copper district of the world." By June 1906, the copper belt was "proven" to extend for at least seven miles. Four of the larger mines had been incorporated into full-fledged mining companies, fueling the perception that Greenwater was poised for a long and prosperous future.
The pace of the rush slowed somewhat during the scorching summer months of 1906. However, the district’s future prospects appeared even brighter when the Las Vegas & Tonopah and the Tonopah & Tidewater Railroads, already serving the Bullfrog District, expressed interest in extending their lines to tap into the new copper belt to the south. Local newspapers declared that the district "will make one of the greatest copper camps in America," and the escalating rush attracted the attention of major national mining journals. "The weather in Death Valley is the only thing that prevents Greenwater from having one of the biggest booms on record in this country," wrote the Bullfrog Miner. "But even the midsummer heat of the ‘terrible region’ does not keep prospectors out. Hardly a day passes that Bullfrog prospectors are not seen starting out for Greenwater." In early July, a stage line commenced operations from Ash Meadows to the new district, with water, hauled from 15 miles away, commanding a price of $5 per barrel.
By the end of July, hundreds of thousands of dollars had changed hands in a frenzy of trading mines and claims. Five mining companies were organized, with the combined capital stock of four of them reaching $5,750,000. "This week, after auto-loading with prospective investors, we went to Greenwater, and the demand locally for horses and rigs has almost exceeded the supply," reported the Bullfrog Miner. The rapid influx of people led to shortages in Greenwater, with water prices soaring to $7.50 per barrel and horse feed becoming increasingly scarce. The formation of several camps within the district prompted the Bullfrog Miner to observe: "The townsite epidemic has broken out in a decidedly virulent form. No less than three towns are already planned, and it is difficult to tell which will be the district’s commercial center. That there will be a flourishing town in the district goes without saying, but which and where it will be is a matter of conjecture at this writing."
As the area became more crowded with prospectors, concerns grew about their well-being. Warnings were published in the Rhyolite papers, urging prospectors to bring all the food and water they would need, as supplies were scarce in the district. Water was being transported from Furnace Creek in Death Valley, but "Teams making the trip to the creek and back, fifty miles, drink about as much as they can deliver, making it almost impossible to get any reserve supply. Unless travelers heed the timely warning, there is liable to be real suffering, and perhaps several deaths." Mine owners, who were importing water to meet the needs of their operations and employees, publicly announced that they could no longer afford to sell water to private individuals.
Despite these challenges, the allure of the Greenwater District remained strong, and the rush continued unabated. On July 29th, a meeting was held to organize the new district, addressing issues caused by conflicting claims and eliminating the need for prospectors to travel to Independence, California, to record their claims.
By August, the district was taking shape, with competing towns being surveyed and platted, and one even establishing a boarding house. The district’s population was estimated at 300, and several stores and restaurants had opened. Kimball Brothers, the staging magnates of Rhyolite, announced a new stage line that would make thrice-weekly trips to Greenwater. One traveler counted over 100 freighting wagons heading towards the district in a single day, struggling to meet the growing demands of the burgeoning boom camp. Canned tomatoes were a popular item in the crude tent stores, as they were cheaper than water, now priced at $10 a barrel, and quenched thirst almost as effectively.