Darwin, California, Inyo County is a ghost town with a rich history that echoes the charm of the Old West. Located in a remote area of California, it offers an engaging glimpse into the past with its intriguing remnants and stories. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Inyo County
Zip Code: 93522
Latitude / Longitude: 36.2719° N, 117.5912° W
Elevation: Approximately 4,790 feet (1,460 meters)
Time Zone: Pacific Time Zone (PT)
Established: 1874
Disestablished: Not officially disestablished, but declined significantly by the early 20th century.
Comments: Darwin was named after Dr. Darwin French, a local prospector. The town experienced a boom in the late 1800s due to the discovery of silver and lead in the nearby mines. At its peak, Darwin boasted a population of around 3,500 people, complete with saloons, hotels, and a post office. The introduction of the Darwin & Nevada Railroad in the 1870s further spurred its growth.
Darwin is a census-designated place (CDP) in Inyo County, California Ghost Townlifornia, United States. Darwin is located 22 miles (35 km) southeast of Keeler, at an elevation of 4,790 ft (1,460 m). The population was 43 at the 2010 census, down from 54 at the 2000 census.
Remains: Today, Darwin is a shell of its former self, with numerous abandoned buildings and structures still standing, such as the old post office, mining equipment, and a few residences. These remnants offer a tangible connection to its vibrant past. It is named after either Charles Darwin or Dr. Darwin French.
According to Erwin Guide, Dr. French of Fort Tejon was with a party of prospectors in the area during the fall of 1850. Dr. French also led a party into Death Valley in 1860 to search for the mythical Gunsight Lode via the local wash, lending his first name to the wash, California Ghost Townnyon, and future town.
Current Status: Darwin is considered a semi-ghost town. While most of the original structures are unused, a small community of artists and residents still lives in Darwin, maintaining a unique blend of the historic and the contemporary.
In 2011, the town was the subject of a documentary film, titled Darwin. In April 2012, BBC News featured a video of local residents describing their wishes to replace dial-up Internet access with broadband.
Remarks: The town’s atmosphere is one of quiet intrigue, attracting visitors who are drawn to its history and artistic community. The surrounding landscapes, part of the Mojave Desert, add to its stark and alluring beauty. Despite its decline, Darwin continues to hold a special place in the tapestry of California’s mining history. Silver and lead discovery at the place led to the founding of a settlement in 1874.
A post office opened in 1875, closed for a time in 1902, and remains open. The town prospered when Eichbaum Toll Road opened in 1926, opening Death Valley from the west. When Death Valley became a National Monument in 1933 it was decided to buy the toll road to allow free access to the new park. In 1937 a new cutoff bypassed Darwin, isolating the town.
