Today in SCV History, the author of ‘Death Valley in ’49,’ William Lewis Manly, was born on April 6, 1820, in St. Albans, Vermont. 

Manly would go on to become a key figure in History as one of the most harrowing survival stories of the California Gold Rush, a journey he later documented in vivid detail.

On January 1, 1850, Manly, then 29, and fellow traveler John Rogers, 22, reached Rancho San Francisco, near what is now Magic Mountain, after a grueling trek across the desert. 

The two had left their stranded party in Death Valley on November 4, 1849, to seek help and a way out of the unforgiving wilderness.

After being taken in and cared for by the Del Valle family, Manly and Rogers returned to Death Valley with food, supplies, and most importantly, a proven route to safety. 

Their return likely saved many lives in history.

The emigrants, a group of over one hundred people from various parties including the Jayhawkers, the Georgians, and the Mississippi Boys, had diverged from the Old Spanish Trail in southwestern Utah in hopes of finding a shortcut to California’s gold fields. 

Instead, they found themselves trapped in what Manly would later describe as a barren and dangerous wasteland.

With supplies nearly gone and morale crumbling, survival seemed unlikely. 

One emigrant, Sheldon Young, described the landscape in his log as “damned dubious looking country.” 

For many, it became every man for himself.

Manly’s book, Death Valley in ’49, stands as one of the few surviving records of the journey in history, capturing not only the names and struggles of those involved but also a remarkable story of perseverance, sacrifice, and human determination in the face of the unknown.

To read yesterday’s today in History click HERE.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.