Ashford Mill
Facts and practical information
Ashford Mill is a reminder of the industrial past tucked within the vast desert landscape of Death Valley, California. These ruins, located at an elevation of 121 feet below sea level, are what remain of a prosperous era of borax extraction and processing in the early 20th century.
Established in 1914, the mill was constructed by the Ashford brothers, who were leaseholders of the Golden Treasure Mine located approximately five miles to the east. The purpose of the mill was to process gold ore harvested from the surrounding mountains. However, the operation was short-lived, and the mill ceased operations by 1916 due to the harsh desert conditions and the declining profitability of the mine.
Today, Ashford Mill stands as a historical site managed by the National Park Service. Visitors to Death Valley National Park can explore the ruins and imagine the once-thriving activity of the mill. The site offers a hauntingly beautiful juxtaposition of the corroded machinery and foundations against the backdrop of one of the most extreme environments in North America.
California
California