Mojave Desert History > Names in History
Darwin French
(1822-1902)As an army physician, Dr. French came to California in 1846 during the Mexican-American War. After the war he became a cattle rancher near Fort Tejon. In 1850, he provided Manly and Rogers with supplies to return and guide the rest of the Lost Fortyniners from their desperate situation in Death Valley. It was through this connection that he later learned of the Lost Gunsight mine. In 1860, he explored the area between the Owens and Panamint valleys in search of the silver-laden mine. He never found anything, but his named remained on the town (Darwin), and the falls (Darwin Falls).
Also see:
Darwin Ghost Town
With the discovery of rich silver and lead deposits in 1874, Darwin became ...History of Darwin
Around 1870 gold, silver, and lead deposits were again discovered in the Coso Range, resulting in formation of the New Coso Mining District ...Darwin Falls
A waterfall in the middle of the arid desert. ...Darwin Falls Wilderness
The Darwin Plateau and Darwin Hills form the landscape of this wilderness. The plateau, which is cut by ...Darwin Canyon/Dike & Sill
Geology: China Garden Spring is only one of numerous outflows of groundwater in Darwin Canyon....
Darwin French - A.C. French photo 1901
Darwin Falls
