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Greenwater
Greenwater was built around a copper strike made in 1905. Water had to be hauled into the town and was sold for $15 a barrel. The town grew to a population of 2,000 and was known for its lively magazine, The Death Valley Chuckwalla. By 1909 the mining had collapsed without ever showing a profit and people left for other areas. There are no ruins left in Greenwater, which is located south of Dante’s View off the Greenwater Valley gravel road.
source - NPS
The Rise and Fall of Greenwater: A Boomtown's Story
Early Discoveries and the Rush
It was in the early 1900s that this isolated desert region of Greenwater in Death Valley, California, underwent one of the most incredible changes. Copper had been discovered, and it was a rush that turned this barren land into a thriving town almost overnight.In early 1904, Arthur Kunze found copper in the desert. Later that year, Fred Birney and Phil Creasor discovered more copper southwest of Death Valley Junction. These discoveries hinted at the potential for great wealth hidden beneath the desert sands. The real turning point came when Kunze sold his claims to Charles Schwab, a famous businessman, in July 1906. This sale triggered a rush to Greenwater as people flocked to the area, hoping to strike it rich.
Establishing Greenwater
Kunze named the town Greenwater after a nearby spring. Other townsites quickly sprang up around it. Harry Ramsey established the town of Copperfield two miles east of Greenwater, and a third townsite, Furnace, was laid out near Patsy Clark’s Furnace Creek copper mine. By September 1906, the Tonopah Lumber Company had sold 150,000 feet of lumber to the Greenwater camps and mines, showing just how quickly the area was developing.Boomtown on the Move
Greenwater wasn't just any boomtown; it was a town on wheels. In the middle of all the excitement, the town decided to relocate. Harry Ramsey and the Greenwater Townsite Company orchestrated the move from its original spot in the heart of the copper mines to less valuable lands two miles away, near the open plain. This decision caused chaos but was seen as a strategic move for better access and development.Pandemonium reigned as businesses, homes, and even saloons were packed up and moved through canyons and over ridges. Imagine a barkeep setting up a temporary bar on a hill, serving drinks to travelers hauling their belongings. A butcher might slaughter a cow en route to feed the hungry movers, and a grocer might sell coffee and cream to anyone passing by. It was a scene of organized chaos, but amidst it all, a pesky photographer getting in everyone's way, however, the town's promoters remained optimistic, seeing this move as a step toward a brighter future.
- The decision to move Greenwater was also influenced by considerations related to the railroad, which played a crucial role in the development and sustainability of mining towns during that era. Here are the key points regarding the railroad and its impact on Greenwater's relocation:
Railroad Considerations
Future Railroad Access:
The original location of Greenwater, high in the hills and close to the mines, was less suitable for railroad construction. Building a railroad through the rugged terrain of the copper mines would have been expensive and technically challenging. The new location on the open plain made it easier and more feasible to plan for a future railroad connection, which was essential for transporting copper ore and supplies.Economic Viability:
The success of mining operations heavily depended on efficient transportation. Without a railroad, moving large quantities of copper ore to markets was difficult and costly. By relocating closer to the open plain, Greenwater aimed to facilitate the construction of a railroad spur, which would lower transportation costs and support the economic viability of the mining operations.Promoter Strategy:
The promoters and the Greenwater Townsite Company were likely aware of the importance of securing a railroad connection to attract investors and boost the town's growth. They anticipated that a better location for railroad access would enhance the town's prospects, making it a more attractive destination for both businesses and residents.Challenges and Developments
Ash Meadows Water Company Pipeline:
Although the Ash Meadows Water Company started laying a pipeline to bring water to Greenwater, the project was never completed. This pipeline was expected to provide a reliable water source, which was another crucial infrastructure component that could have been supported by a railroad.Continued Hope:
Despite the logistical challenges and delays, there were ongoing discussions and hopes for a railroad connection. The Tonopah & Tidewater Railroad and the Las Vegas & Tonopah Railroad were both considering extending their lines to Greenwater. Survey crews were seen laying out potential routes, which kept the hope alive that the railroad would eventually reach the town.Final Attempts:
Even as the mining prospects dimmed, there were still occasional reports and rumors about the possibility of a railroad connection. However, these plans never materialized before the town's decline.Conclusion
The relocation of Greenwater was significantly influenced by the need for better railroad access. The original site was unsuitable for railroad construction, and the move to the open plain was a strategic decision to facilitate future transportation infrastructure. Despite the eventual decline of the town, the hope for a railroad connection underscored the importance of transportation in the economic planning and development of mining towns in the early 20th century. -Economic Hype and Reality
At the height of its boom, Greenwater was a bustling place with a population of around 700 people by early 1907. The town had a telephone line connected to Rhyolite by April of that year, and water sold for an astonishing $15 a barrel, or $1 a gallon. This was a clear sign of how scarce and valuable resources were in the desert.Kunze ordered a printing press for the town's newspapers, the Death Valley Chuck-Walla and the Greenwater Miner. Unfortunately, before the press could be delivered, the building meant to house it burned down in June 1907. Meanwhile, the Ash Meadows Water Company started laying a 27-mile pipeline to bring water to Greenwater, but the project was never completed despite spending $200,000.
The economic hype around Greenwater was enormous. Over 30 companies formed, each with high capitalizations, aiming to tap into the perceived riches of Greenwater. Prominent investors like Charles Schwab, Augustus Heinze, T.L. Oddie, and F.M. (Borax) Smith put their money into the town, hoping for big returns. Companies like the Furnace Creek Copper Company saw their stocks skyrocket. But as it turned out, no one ever found a profitable mine in Greenwater. Despite the initial promise and massive investments, the copper was simply not there in the quantities needed to make money.
The Beginning of the End
The end began when Pope Yeatman, a mining engineer hired by the Guggenheim interests, came to investigate the Furnace Creek copper mine, the biggest in Greenwater. He found that the ore body, which had initially shown promise, went nowhere. His negative report marked the beginning of the end for Greenwater. By September 1907, the Greenwater Miner had stopped publication, and the town's population began to dwindle.Buildings were dismantled and moved to other locations like Zabriskie or Shoshone. The Greenwater Copper Company held on until January 1910, but after sinking a 1,400-foot shaft and finding only low-grade ore, they too gave up.
Impact on the Copper Market
Greenwater’s rise and fall had a significant impact on the broader copper market. The Amalgamated Copper Company, which controlled over 50% of the nation's copper production, began stockpiling copper in April 1907 when Greenwater was at its height. When the myth of Greenwater was exposed and the truth about its lack of valuable copper became known, the company unloaded its stockpiled copper onto the market. This move knocked down the price of copper and affected copper mining shares across the country. Augustus Heinze, who had invested heavily in Greenwater, tried to keep the price of copper up using funds from several banks he controlled. His efforts ultimately contributed to the bank panic of 1907. An estimated $30 million was invested in Greenwater within four short months, showing just how intense the boom—and subsequent bust—was.The Squatter Problem
As if the economic challenges weren't enough, Greenwater also faced issues with squatters. In mining camps, squatters were as welcome as fleas in a lady's boudoir. These individuals would claim lots that others had purchased, often arguing that the titles were invalid. In Greenwater, the situation was exacerbated by the town's restlessness and frequent relocations. Squatters took advantage of the confusion during the town’s move, claiming valuable lots in the new location. Despite efforts by town officials to remove them, the squatters often stayed, causing disruptions and scaring off potential investors.The Final Decline
By the end of 1907, the once-thriving Greenwater was in rapid decline. The population had shrunk significantly, and only a few businesses remained. The Ash Meadows Water Company’s pipeline project was repeatedly delayed and never completed. Fires also took their toll, destroying key buildings and further discouraging any hope of revival.Despite brief moments of renewed hope, such as small ore finds in mid-1908 and early 1909, the town never recovered. The remaining companies eventually ceased operations, and by September 1909, even the largest mines had shut down. The town's final population dwindled to just a handful of people.
Legacy of Greenwater
Greenwater's story is a classic tale of a boomtown that rose rapidly on the wings of speculation and hope, only to fall just as quickly when reality set in. Today, there are no ruins left of Greenwater, located south of Dante’s View off the Greenwater Valley gravel road. The town's brief existence serves as a testament to the volatile nature of mining booms and the dreams of fortune that often drive such rapid growth and decline.The legacy of Greenwater lives on in the lessons learned about the importance of thorough geological surveys before massive investments, the risks of speculative bubbles, and the enduring human spirit that chases after big dreams, no matter the odds. Greenwater's rise and fall remind us that even in the harshest environments, hope and ambition can create vibrant, if fleeting, communities.
Greenwater History
Charles Brown at Greenwater
Finding Greenwater
Squatters at Greenwater
Desert Fever - Greenwater
Charles Schwab
Soon after the beginning of the new century, Schwab's focus shifted from steel-making to the mining sector in Death Valley. In 1905, his investment in California's Lee-Echo District led to the town of Schwab being named after him. In 1906, he purchased multiple claims in the Greenwater Mining District and established the Greenwater Death Valley Copper Company. In that very year, he purchased Bob Montgomery's share in the Montgomery Shoshone Mine in Rhyolite, Nevada for millions of dollars. Nevertheless, as his investments in Death Valley did not prove profitable and the mines that were in operation suffered from the financial crisis of 1907.
Schwab became known for his high life, hosting lavish parties and indulging in heavy gambling, in addition to extramarital affairs that resulted in at least one out-of-wedlock child. The extramarital love affairs and the out-of-wedlock child ultimately embittered him towards his wife. He became an international celebrity when he "broke the bank" at Monte Carlo, and traveled in a $100,000 private rail car named "Loretto". Before the Great Depression he had already spent most of his fortune, estimated at between $25 million and $40 million. Adjusted for inflation in the first decade of the 21st century, that equates to between $500 million and $800 million.
The 1929 stock market crash was the final blow to Charles Schwab's finances after years of heavy spending. He spent his last years living in a small apartment because he couldn't afford the taxes on his mansion, "Riverside," which was eventually taken by creditors. He tried to sell the mansion at a big loss, but no one wanted to buy it. When he died ten years later, his shares in Bethlehem Steel were almost worthless, and he was over $300,000 ($5.35 million) in debt. If he had lived a few more years, he would have seen his fortune return when Bethlehem Steel recieved large orders for war supplies. Schwab didn't have any children with his wife, Eurana Dinkey, but he did have one daughter with a mistress.
Also see:
Shoshone, CA.
T&T Railroad
LV&T Railroad
Greenwater Valley Road
EcosubsectionFuneral Mountains - Greenwater Valley
includes the Funeral Mountains, Black Mountains, Greenwater Range, Resting Spring Range, and ...Dante's View
