1934 Eddy Pictorial Map of Death Valley, California

This is a 1934 Gerald Eddy pictorial map of Death Valley, California. Issued just year after Death Valley National Monument was chartered, this is one of the earliest obtainable touristic presentations of the dramatic desert.

A Closer Look

Depicting from Mount Whitney to Boulder (Hoover) Dam, a prominent red line marks the boundaries of Death Valley National Monument. Important sites are marked within the park, including Bad Water at 280 feet below sea level (the lowest place in North America) and the Park Headquarters. Distances between all these landmarks are noted, with main roads highlighted in red. Both the Furnace Creek Inn (located inside the National Monument) and the Amargosa Hotel (which are promoted in the booklet) are marked by large block lettering, making them more easily noticed. A view of the Furnace Creek Hotel occupies an inset in the upper right corner. A second inset along the bottom border situates Death Valley regionally, providing distances from San Francisco, Oakland, Monterey, Los Angeles, and other major cities in central California.

Death Valley

Thought to be the hottest place on Earth, Death Valley has the lowest elevation in North America, despite being only 85 miles from Mount Whitney, the highest point in the United States. In 1933, Death Valley National Monument was established and the valley was in the early stages of its transformation into a protected and recognized area of natural significance. This period was marked by a gradual increase in public awareness and interest, driven in part by the allure of its extreme conditions and unique landscape. The valley, known for being the hottest and driest area in North America, captivated visitors with its stark beauty, comprising salt flats, sand dunes, badlands, valleys, canyons, and mountains. Despite its harsh environment, Death Valley was home to a variety of resilient flora and fauna adapted to the extreme climate. The region's history was rich with tales of Native Americans, miners, and pioneers who braved the challenging conditions in search of resources or passage. In 1934, the infrastructure to support tourism was minimal, with few roads and basic facilities, reflecting its status as a newly designated national monument still in the early stages of development.

Publication History and Census

This map was drawn by Gerald Eddy and published in a promotional booklet for Death Valley hotels and other attractions. We note a single cataloged example of the present edition in OCLC which is part of the collection at the Newberry Library. An example of the 1938 edition of the booklet (with the same 1934 date given for the Eddy map) is part of the David Rumsey Map Collection.