High Noon – July

July 17, 2025
Noon

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Title:    Death Valley’s Improbable Gold Rush

Speaker: Ted Faye, Author and Film Producer

Talk Summary: At the turn of the last century the most famous desert region in America was located on the Nevada-California border bearing the ominous name, “Death Valley.”  While rumors of its riches began with the first gold-seekers who accidentally stumbled through and named it, the valley didn’t surrender its true riches for another 30 years.  Its name, ironically, lured treasure seekers because a place so horrific and vile must be guarding a vast storehouse of wealth just beneath its surface waiting for discovery by those willing to dare its deadly depths. By the early 1900s, prospectors and fortune hunters flocked to the region, spurred by tales of untold riches. The discovery of borax and later, gold and silver deposits turned Death Valley into an improbable boomtown, where dreams were made and lost in equal measure. Though the rush was short-lived, its impact shaped the region’s history, leaving behind ghost towns and legends that endured to this day.

Speaker Bio: Ted Faye is an accomplished producer and author who is a passionate storyteller who explores history and culture. He produced Iverson, the definitive documentary on NBA superstar Allen Iverson which aired on Showtime and Netflix.  He produced Weird Tales series, and Tales from Death Valley, bringing unique narratives to life on screen. He has worked extensively with Nevada communities and Travel Nevada to promote cultural and heritage tourism.  As an author, he has written Death Valley Gold Rush, The Twenty Mule Team of Death Valley, and Goldfield, delving into the rich past of the American West. A graduate of UCLA with an MFA in Film and Television, Faye continues to craft compelling stories that blend history, mystery, and adventure.