Ballarat

In the 1880's, gold was discovered in the western Panamint Mountains. When the Ratcliff Mine opened in Pleasant Canyon in 1897, the town of Ballarat (named after a gold town in Australia) was founded as a supply center. When the mine closed in 1905, Ballarat began to die, and became a ghost town in 1917 when the post office closed. Attempts to revive the town in the 1960's were a complete failure.

Ballarat is private property, though the public seems to be free to explore. It is located in Panamint Valley just outside of Death Valley National Monument at the entrance to Pleasant Canyon. To get there, take Ballarat Road (35 km north of Trona) from the Trona-Wildrose Road and drive 6 km to Ballarat.

Ballarat

Assay office

Ballarat School House

Well

Fred Grey's house (owner of the assay office)

Porter Brother's store