The ancestors of the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe came into the area over a thousand years ago. This land provided them with all of their needs. There were plants, springs and many kinds of wildlife from bighorn sheep to rabbits and lizards. The People ranged over the land in a seasonal pattern to harvest the fruits, seeds and plants. Pinyon pine nuts and mesquite beans were major parts of their diet. Family members gathered to listen to storytellers who told the history of the world, the animals and the People in story form. People were close and religion was an important part of life. Different dances were held for healing and to influence the weather. All things were seen as part of a whole. Group hunts and gatherings for dances, games and socializing brought people from different villages and districts together.

Men made bows and arrows and hunted, while women collected plants and made baskets. The People used rouge paint in ceremonies which symbolized from where the tribe got its strength; the earth. The word Timbisha means "red rock facepaint" and would later become the official name of the tribe.

In 1849 emigrants from the East who became lost in this area, not only brought news of Death Valley to the outside world, but they also started the end of the way of life for the Panamint Shoshone people. With the advent of mining and boom towns in Death Valley, Panamint Shoshone Indians could no longer pursue their traditional way of life. Watering areas were inhabited by Anglos. Pinyon pine trees were cut down for wood and mesquite bushes disappeared. Eventually the People revolted at this encroachment of their way of life. Hostilities between Anglos and Native Americans surfaced in the 1860's and resulted in the deaths of both miners and Indians.

In 1866 Congress ratified the Treaty of Ruby Valley, which was a statement of peace and friendship that granted the United States rights of way across Western Shoshone territor ns. Some married prospectors like Montillion Murray Beatty, founder of the Nevada town named after him. Often Native American culture and values were misunderstood.

In the 1920's they worked in construction jobs at Scotty's Castle and at the Furnace Creek Inn. In the 1930's, when Death Valley became a National Monument, the Timbisha were living in Grapevine Canyon, Wildrose Canyon and at Furnace Creek. In 1936 the National Park Service set aside 40 acres of land for the People. With help from Indian Service funds, Civilian Conservation Corps and local Shoshone labor, a village of 12 small adobe structures was built. There was no indoor plumbing or electricity in the structures. The village had a trading post which operated until the 1940's. A road leading to the village was paved. In 1977 8 trailers were added and in 1983 6 mobile homes. In recent years additional community municipal improvements were made with funds from several federal agencies.

Today 50- 60 people live in the Indian Village of Death Valley. Job training has not been readily available to the People to help them learn skills needed in the job market. The traditional skills of basket making have not been lost entirely, even though no market has been developed for the sale of modern made Timbisha basketry.

Rainstorm in the valley

Jail Canyon