The Warehouse Comes Back Online
After being disconnected from utilities for over 70 years, the Death Valley Conservancy recently brought the Warehouse at Ryan back online. The Warehouse’s electrical power, water, and sewer utilities were all repaired and reconnected by the Death Valley Conservancy’s hard-working staff. They even went as far as to have custom wire made for the interior light fixtures that exactly matches the look of original materials while meeting modern building codes.
Originally built in 1924 for the mining camp, the Warehouse served as kitchen staff quarters and supply storage. Later, during the Hotel Era, it was used as storage, office space, and employee housing. With utilities now restored, the Conservancy’s future plans for the Warehouse include restoring the interior, rebuilding the exterior stairways, and restoring the exterior windows and door. Once completed, the building will continue to be used for storage and it will also be offered as temporary housing to researchers working at Ryan or other sites in Death Valley National Park.
New underground utilities were run to the Warehouse in order to reconnect it to water and power. The new partially-above-ground sewer line pictured follows the path of the original sewer line.
No detail is too small as the DVC lovingly restores Ryan. The original woven wire (pictured on the left and slightly faded from time) was closely reproduced to match with the resulting new, up-to-code wire pictured at the right.
From hand washing to flushing, the water and sewer in the Warehouse are operational once again. The Warehouse is now ready to move into the next phase of restoration and preservation.
Dusk at Ryan with the Warehouse exterior porch light now proudly illuminated by DVC after over 70 years of darkness.