The first resort on this site, originally named "Bungalette City," opened on November 1, 1926 under Herman William (Bob) and Helene Eichbaum as the first effort to provide full-scale tourist services in Death Valley. The complex included twenty small tent cabins, several larger buildings, and army tents, along with electric lights, running water, good food, scenic tours, trail rides led by old-time prospectors, sightseeing rides in large Buick sedans, and a revolving beacon light on the main building to guide wanderers to the desert oasis. Though crude by modern standards, it became a popular regional attraction, and Eichbaum understood that its success depended on access. Because Death Valley could be reached only by ungraded, unmaintained roads, many of them former wagon trails, he secured approval from the Inyo County Board of Supervisors to build a 30.35-mile toll road from Darwin Wash across Panamint Valley and over Towne Pass to the resort. Construction began in 1925 and, despite rugged terrain, steep grades, shifting desert sands, washouts, and mudslides, the road was completed in May 1926 as a major technical achievement. Barely wide enough for passing, with steep curves that often required considerable backing to make turns, it nevertheless provided direct vehicular access from Los Angeles by way of Owens Valley and enabled thousands of visitors to experience the scenic and historic features of the region. On February 11, 1933, a year after Eichbaum's death, Death Valley National Monument was created by presidential proclamation, and a year later the California Division of Highways purchased the Eichbaum toll road. State Highway 190 now closely follows the old route, though two sections were changed, including this location, where the original road once ran between the present registration buildings and guest cabins before being realigned in 1934 to the north side of the registration building.