The individual responsible for accidentally knocking down the 113-year-old historic tower in Death Valley National Park has come forward, park officials announced on May 16. The driver, who was stuck in the mud, used the tower as an anchor for a winch to free their vehicle from the mud, causing the tower to topple over.
The National Park Service confirmed that the driver did not intend to cause harm to the historic structure and cooperated by contacting a tip line provided by the park service. The tower, part of the Saline Valley Salt Tram built in 1911, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is significant due to its age, length, steepness, preservation, and scenic location.
While most of the tramway is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, only the first four towers are located within Death Valley National Park. The damaged tower, known as tram tower No. 1, was closest to the Saline Valley lakebed. Park officials discovered tracks near the tower, indicating that a vehicle had veered off the legal roadway and become stuck in the mud.
Prior to the incident, the National Park Service had planned a salt tram stabilization project. Park management is now conducting a full assessment of the damage and developing plans for potential restoration of the toppled tower.
