Associated Press
08/27/10 8:10 AM EDT
DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, CALIF. — Authorities say a fire has done extensive damage to the Stovepipe Wells restaurant and saloon in Death Valley National Park.
Inyo County sheriff's dispatcher Carol Drew says the fire broke out Thursday and investigators have arrived to look into the cause.
A park spokesman says services at the restaurant will be suspended indefinitely until the damage is repaired.
A website for accommodations at Stovepipe Wells says the Toll Road Restaurant and Badwater Saloon were built with timbers from an old mining operation."
Anyone know more?
I haven't been there in years, but it was a cool place. Sad.
Preston, this is sad news. That is or was a neat facility. I know many folks on NPN / CANP visit the DVNP area almost annually. It has been about two years since I was back out there, but I do eat at the restaurant fairly often when I stay at the Stovepipe Motel.
I overheard one of the waitresses say that she was the full-time Postmaster at Furnace Creek during the daytime and then worked evenings at the Stovepipe Wells restaurant until closing time. She also stated that she drove clear out to Pahrump for groceries. Had to be a tough way to go for sure.
Posted by Eric A. Rosen on August 28, 2010 at 11:19 PM
I was out there in April for the wildflowers.. I normally stay at Stovepipe when in DV during the winter for 3-4 days...
This came from the NPS website.
Early Thursday morning (August 26, 2010) sometime after midnight Park Rangers were dispatched to Stovepipe Wells Village to respond to a structural fire involving the concession operated restaurant and saloon. Damage was contained to the back of the building which included an employee mess hall, storage area and parts of the kitchen. There appears to be no flame damage to the restaurant and saloon portions of the building, but extensive smoke damage is throughout the structure. The burned out sections will likely need to be rebuilt. This process could take several months, and the amount of work needed to repair/remove the smoke damage from the rest of the building is unknown. It is likely the restaurant and saloon will be closed throughout the upcoming winter and spring visitor season.
Posted by Steve Sieren on August 28, 2010 at 11:47 PM
Shoot! That's terrible, I'm guessing insurance dilemas should slow the rebuilding process. It would be so nice to see it up and running before the busy season hits. I have to admit the eatery, bar and pool table was a big incentive for me to hang out there. It was always a challenge to keep the bar open late there.
Dang it! Restaurant kitchens seem to have the greatest rate of fire hazard. Not many choices left in DV, now.
While I've never stayed or eaten there (I'm always fully self contained), I have been by Stovepipe Wells more times than I can remember. What a shame for place and the patrons.
Steve, no way is the place going to be rebuilt before the winter season. THings go real slooow out there.
Discussion
4 replies"Restaurant and saloon in Death Valley burns
Associated Press
08/27/10 8:10 AM EDT
DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, CALIF. — Authorities say a fire has done extensive damage to the Stovepipe Wells restaurant and saloon in Death Valley National Park.
Inyo County sheriff's dispatcher Carol Drew says the fire broke out Thursday and investigators have arrived to look into the cause.
A park spokesman says services at the restaurant will be suspended indefinitely until the damage is repaired.
A website for accommodations at Stovepipe Wells says the Toll Road Restaurant and Badwater Saloon were built with timbers from an old mining operation."
Anyone know more?
I haven't been there in years, but it was a cool place. Sad.
--P
I overheard one of the waitresses say that she was the full-time Postmaster at Furnace Creek during the daytime and then worked evenings at the Stovepipe Wells restaurant until closing time. She also stated that she drove clear out to Pahrump for groceries. Had to be a tough way to go for sure.
This came from the NPS website.
Early Thursday morning (August 26, 2010) sometime after midnight Park Rangers were dispatched to Stovepipe Wells Village to respond to a structural fire involving the concession operated restaurant and saloon. Damage was contained to the back of the building which included an employee mess hall, storage area and parts of the kitchen. There appears to be no flame damage to the restaurant and saloon portions of the building, but extensive smoke damage is throughout the structure. The burned out sections will likely need to be rebuilt. This process could take several months, and the amount of work needed to repair/remove the smoke damage from the rest of the building is unknown. It is likely the restaurant and saloon will be closed throughout the upcoming winter and spring visitor season.
While I've never stayed or eaten there (I'm always fully self contained), I have been by Stovepipe Wells more times than I can remember. What a shame for place and the patrons.
Steve, no way is the place going to be rebuilt before the winter season. THings go real slooow out there.