The Darwin Historic Marker is an intriguing historical landmark located in Inyo County, California. Situated at the intersection of Darwin Road and California Route 190 near the town of Darwin, this marker commemorates the areas rich mining history. Named after Dr. Darwin French, who led a significant expedition to the region in 1860, discovering silver deposits near Coso, nine miles away from the present-day town site.
The marker serves as a tribute to the thriving mining community that once inhabited this area. The first recorded mine was discovered by Rafel Cuervo in October 1874, marking the beginning of a silver mining boom that transformed the region. By 1877, Darwin had become the second-largest silver mine in Southern California history, producing an impressive $29 million or more.
Despite its initial prosperity, the towns fate was short-lived as mines played out and the population dwindled. Today, Darwin is considered a ghost town, but its fascinating past can still be explored through the historic marker. Visitors are captivated by the stories of the once-thriving mining community that shaped the regions history.
This engaging content about the Darwin Historic Marker invites you to step back in time and immerse yourself in the alluring tale of a town whose silver mines transformed not only its landscape but also its place in history.