Silver-and-copper boom town in Surprise Canyon on the west slope of the Panamint Range (GNIS name Panamint). After 1872 discoveries the camp grew by 1874 to roughly two thousand people along a mile-long main street with mills and saloons. Floods, isolation, and falling silver prices emptied it; masonry ruins and mill foundations remain a long, steep canyon hike above Ballarat country.
Field facts
| Region | Inyo County, CA |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36.1183, -117.0953 |
| ARPA | Artifacts & structures are protected by federal law (ARPA) — take only photos, leave every relic in place. |
| County | Inyo |
| GNIS name | Panamint (Populated Place) |
| Peak era | 1873–1875 |
| Setting | Surprise Canyon, Panamint Range |
Nearby locations
Map preview
Explore the area
The interactive map and its tiles load only when requested.