Keane Springs - California Ghost Town

KEANE SPRINGS

NAME: Keane Springs
COUNTY: Inyo
ROADS: 2WD + short walk
GRID #(see map): 3
CLIMATE: Warm summers, pleasant to cold w/occasional snow in winter.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: All year

COMMENTS: Requires an easy walk of about 3/4 mile. Two pathways can be taken: one is along the old road to the townsite (closed by the Park Service, but barrier was down when I visited in 1997, though the road was badly washed away near the townsite; or you can park your vehicle by the old water tank on the Chloride City road and walk along the old water pipeline.
REMAINS: Stone foundations, water pipelines.

Keane Springs was located in the South Bullfrog Mining District. It was the only reliable water source in this area and served as a center of activity during the first decade of the 1900's. Water from the springs served the neighboring town of Chloride City and also for Keane Wonder Mine and mill, far below near the floor of Death Valley. The town of Keane Springs began early in 1906 and lots were sold by the Keane Springs Land Company for $25 to $100 each. The town consisted of primarily tents, though two wood frame buildings were reported to have been built. Businesses included the large tent of the Death Valley Merchantile Company, a branch of the Porter Brothers chain of merchandise stores, a couple of office tents, a boardinghouse, a saloon, corral and stable for the Kimball Brothers Stage Line from Rhyolite. A post office was approved, but rescinded. The remains of the town were destroyed by a flashflood in 1909. Submitted by: David A. Wright Keane Springs. April 9, 1999. Courtesy David A. Wright Great Basin Research Keane Springs. April 9, 1999. Courtesy David A. Wright Great Basin Research Keane Springs. April 9, 1999. Courtesy David A. Wright Great Basin Research Keane Springs. April 9, 1999. Courtesy David A. Wright Great Basin Research Keane Springs. April 9, 1999. Courtesy David A. Wright Great Basin Research Keane Springs. April 9, 1999. Courtesy David A. Wright Great Basin Research	Portion of an advertisement for the Porter Borthers Store of Rhyolite found in the October 13, 1905 Rhyolite Herald. The Porter Brothers had several stores in their chain, including one at Keane Springs. Courtesy David A. Wright Great Basin Research The townsite of Keane Springs. The springs themselves are found in the background. View east. Courtesy David A. Wright Great Basin Research Foundation remains are among the few found at Keane Springs. Courtesy David A. Wright Great Basin Research Foundation and steps. Courtesy David A. Wright Great Basin Research Overlooking the townsite from a point near the springs. View west toward Death Valley. Courtesy David A. Wright Great Basin Research Keane Springs are found withing the thick reeds and cottonwood trees just a few yards east of the townsite. Courtesy David A. Wright Great Basin Research Keane Springs. April 9, 1999. Courtesy David A. Wright Great Basin Research Keane Springs. April 9, 1999. Courtesy David A. Wright Great Basin Research

Keane Springs was located in the South Bullfrog Mining District. It was the only reliable water source in this area and served as a center of activity during the first decade of the 1900's. Water from the springs served the neighboring town of Chloride City and also for Keane Wonder Mine and mill, far below near the floor of Death Valley. The town of Keane Springs began early in 1906 and lots were sold by the Keane Springs Land Company for $25 to $100 each. The town consisted of primarily tents, though two wood frame buildings were reported to have been built. Businesses included the large tent of the Death Valley Merchantile Company, a branch of the Porter Brothers chain of merchandise stores, a couple of office tents, a boardinghouse, a saloon, corral and stable for the Kimball Brothers Stage Line from Rhyolite. A post office was approved, but rescinded. The remains of the town were destroyed by a flashflood in 1909.

Submitted by: David A. Wright

Keane Springs. April 9, 1999.
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research

Portion of an advertisement for the Porter Borthers Store of Rhyolite found in the October 13, 1905 Rhyolite Herald. The Porter Brothers had several stores in their chain, including one at Keane Springs.
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research

The townsite of Keane Springs. The springs themselves are found in the background. View east.
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research

Foundation remains are among the few found at Keane Springs.
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research

Foundation and steps.
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research

Overlooking the townsite from a point near the springs. View west toward Death Valley.
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research

Keane Springs are found withing the thick reeds and cottonwood trees just a few yards east of the townsite.
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research

Keane Springs. April 9, 1999.
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research

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