Historic National Park Landmark Toppled by Careless Driver
It's existed for over a century.
Earlier this year, Death Valley National Park drew visitors thanks to the rare formation of a lake at Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America. But Death Valley is filled with natural and man-made attractions, including remnants of the Saline Valley salt tram that ran through the Mojave Desert a century ago. Part of that landmark, however, has been topped over more than 100 years after being built.
On May 13, the National Park Service announced that the 113-year-old tower was seemingly pulled over after a person used the structure as leverage to get their vehicle out of deep mud. Park officials believe the incident occurred sometime between April 1 and April 24.
"I have hiked along sections of this tramway, and am amazed by the tenacity it took to build," superintendent Mike Reynolds said in a statement. "I hope the person responsible for this damage will contact us so we can discuss restitution."
The wooden tower was part of the 13-mile aerial tram built by the Saline Valley Salt Company in 1911. It was used to transport salt from Saline Valley to Owens Valley and traversed more than 7,000 feet upward in elevation. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its age, length, steepness, preservation, and location, though only the first four towers are within Death Valley National Park.
The apparent careless driver knocked over tram tower number one, the closest tower to the Saline Valley lake bed. According to the NPS, nearby tire tracks show that a vehicle drove off the road a bit and got stuck in mud. By using the tower to get the car out, they pulled the structure's concrete anchors out of the ground, knocking the whole thing on its side. Coincidentally, the NPS already had a salt tram stabilization project planned before this incident occurred.
It's another lesson in following all posted signage and guidance in national parks as they're not only there to protect you and your property, but priceless pieces of history such as this.