Ubehebe - California Ghost Town

UBEHEBE

NAME: Ubehebe
COUNTY: Inyo
ROADS: 2WD
GRID #(see map): 3
CLIMATE: Hot summers, pleasant winter days. Can be cold or windy in winter.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring, Autumn, Winter.

COMMENTS: All roads bladed by Park Service except road to Ubehebe Mine.
REMAINS: One structure, several mine portals with rails, air pipe, compressor air receiver, scrap, cans, cable tramway, stone walls, an old automobile body.

The Ubehebe Mine was discovered in 1875, but received little interest as the area was too remote. Due to application of electricity for domestic use, copper became a sought after commodity and the price of the element soared. In 1906, Jack Salsberry, who name is also placed on other landmarks in Death Valley, purchased the mine and founded a townsite nearby called Salina City. Salina City was situated upon the wide Racetrack Valley, whereas the Ubehebe Mine was found a short distance away at the head of a cramped canyon emptying into the Saline Valley. The townsite at its peak consisted of twenty tents, two saloons, a company store, a Kimball Brothers Stage station and a feed lot for Kimball Brothers. A post office was applied for, but never fulfilled. Salsberry also plotted the course of a railroad to run east across northern Death Valley, up Grapevine Canyon (where Scotty's Castle is situated) and to meet with the Las Vegas & Tonopah Railroad tracks at Bonnie Claire. The Bonnie Claire & Ubehebe Railroad was incorporated and the line partly constructed, but mine results proved too small to uphold the activity and the whole venture soon abandoned in 1908. The railroad grade became the present Racetrack Valley Road from Ubehebe Crater in northern Death Valley. The Ubehebe Mine also produced much lead and zinc, last producing in 1951. Submitted by David A. Wright The site of Salina City (also referred to as Latimer, near the Ubehebe Mine in the Racetrack Valley. The famous Racetrack Dry Lake, with its mysterious "sliding stones" is in the background. Courtesy David A. Wright Another mine portal at Ubehebe Mine. December 1996. Courtesy David A. Wright	The only remaining standing structure at the Ubehebe Mine. December 1996. Courtesy David A. Wright Tracks leave one of the numerous mine portals at the site of the Ubehebe Mine. December 1996. Courtesy David A. Wright Tracks leave one of the numerous mine portals at the site of the Ubehebe Mine. December 1996. Courtesy David A. Wright

The Ubehebe Mine was discovered in 1875, but received little interest as the area was too remote. Due to application of electricity for domestic use, copper became a sought after commodity and the price of the element soared. In 1906, Jack Salsberry, who name is also placed on other landmarks in Death Valley, purchased the mine and founded a townsite nearby called Salina City. Salina City was situated upon the wide Racetrack Valley, whereas the Ubehebe Mine was found a short distance away at the head of a cramped canyon emptying into the Saline Valley. The townsite at its peak consisted of twenty tents, two saloons, a company store, a Kimball Brothers Stage station and a feed lot for Kimball Brothers. A post office was applied for, but never fulfilled. Salsberry also plotted the course of a railroad to run east across northern Death Valley, up Grapevine Canyon (where Scotty's Castle is situated) and to meet with the Las Vegas & Tonopah Railroad tracks at Bonnie Claire. The Bonnie Claire & Ubehebe Railroad was incorporated and the line partly constructed, but mine results proved too small to uphold the activity and the whole venture soon abandoned in 1908. The railroad grade became the present Racetrack Valley Road from Ubehebe Crater in northern Death Valley. The Ubehebe Mine also produced much lead and zinc, last producing in 1951. Submitted by David A. Wright

The site of Salina City (also referred to as Latimer, near the Ubehebe Mine in the Racetrack Valley. The famous Racetrack Dry Lake, with its mysterious "sliding stones" is in the background.
Courtesy David A. Wright

Another mine portal at Ubehebe Mine. December 1996.
Courtesy David A. Wright

The only remaining standing structure at the Ubehebe Mine. December 1996.
Courtesy David A. Wright

Tracks leave one of the numerous mine portals at the site of the Ubehebe Mine. December 1996.
Courtesy David A. Wright

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