A Century-Old Tower in Death Valley National Park Toppled in a Desperate Attempt to Free a Stuck Pickup Truck
A piece of history in Death Valley National Park came crashing down on April 19, as a visitor attempted to use a 113-year-old timber-and-iron tower to pull a pickup truck out of the mud. The tower, which once supported a tram carrying precious salt across the Inyo Mountains, was left in ruins, prompting an investigation by the National Park Service to determine who was responsible for the damage.
The incident, captured in a video published by Outside magazine, showed the white pickup truck partially submerged in mud, with its tires spinning in place. The visitor, who was not publicly identified, used the deteriorated tower as an anchor in a moment of desperation, causing it to topple and unmoor from its concrete footing.
The fallen tower was one of four remaining structures from an original set of 20 that supported a tramway built by the Saline Valley Salt Company in 1911. The tramway, considered a feat of engineering at the time, climbed over 7,000 feet at vertical grades of up to 40 degrees, making it the steepest tram system in the United States.
Despite the tower’s poor condition due to exposure to extreme temperatures and saltwater, it held historical significance as part of a transportation system that once conveyed salt from the Saline Valley to the Owens Valley. The project bankrupted the Saline Valley Salt Company and ceased operations in 1930.
The National Park Service, which had planned a stabilization project for the remaining towers, is now assessing the damage and considering options for responsible restoration of the salt tram. The service is also investigating the incident and making plans for potential restoration efforts.
The tower’s collapse serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between preserving historical artifacts and respecting the fragile environment of Death Valley National Park. As the investigation unfolds, the park service hopes to find a solution that honors the past while protecting the park’s unique landscape for future generations.
