Desolation Canyon

In 1949, the government of California held a statehood centennial celebration at the mouth of Desolation Canyon in what was then Death Valley National Monument, honoring the Death Valley '49ers, a group of settlers who traveled through Death Valley in 1849 seeking a shortcut to California's gold fields. Their difficult journey, which included one death, led them to give the valley its present name. The 1949 celebration featured reenactors, wagon trains, camping meant to recall the settlers' experience, performances by the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra and a 200-person choir, and drew more than 60,000 visitors. Its popularity led organizers to form the non-profit Death Valley '49ers Inc., which has continued similar annual events in Death Valley for more than 75 years.

California · United States