A saloon, a novel, and the legacy of the American West

Filled with curios of a day gone by, The Last Kind Words Saloon is a window to the legendary Wild West.

It’s hard to imagine the travails of pioneer life in the United States. The rugged Wild West, where dusty gunslingers ruled remote waystations, is the stuff of lore. Hard to imagine, that is, until you step through the swinging doors of The Last Kind Words Saloon at The Oasis at Death Valley. 

Here, the Wild West comes to life with a magnificent collection of western artifacts featuring historic maps, wanted posters, Navajo rugs, and Winchester rifles like those used by Annie Oakley in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West shows. Archival photos of leathery cowboys adorn the walls, next to buffalo chaps and leather riding gloves embroidered with red roses.

Pickaxes and gold pans hearken back to the borax mining boom in Death Valley. And a vast painting of a 20-mule train depicts the grueling work of hauling loads of unearthed borax across the desert and out to the railway. A pressed tin ceiling and wagon wheel chandeliers complete the scene. And the centerpiece dark cherry wood bar makes you want to stride in, spurs jangling, and in a gruff voice demand, “Whiskey.”

Rich History

When the borax mines of Death Valley dried up, US Borax Company transitioned to tourism, beckoning travelers by train to this mysterious oasis in the desert. Originally called the Furnace Creek Inn, as a nod to the spring fed-water source, they built a small hotel in 1927 with just 12 rooms. After nearly a century, Furnace Creek Resort was rebranded as The Oasis at Death Valley in a $200 million renovation completed in 2018.

The Last Kind Words Saloon was a cornerstone of the renovation, and the vision of owner and Western historian Philip Anschutz. “Mr. Anschutz wanted [to recreate] the experience of an Old West saloon. And that was our directive, so that everyone would have a good understanding of what a true, authentic Western saloon felt like,” explains designer Cynthia Johnson who helped create the space.

Anschutz incorporated masterpieces of Western art from his own private collection to capture the heart and soul of the Old West through the eyes of renowned artists. Famous paintings such as Turn Him Loose by Frederic Remington (1893), In Safe Hands by Charles Shreyvogel (1909) and Trappers at Fault – Looking for the Trail by Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait (1852), add to the movie set quality and matchless décor. Coupled with artifacts and big game taxidermy from his trove, the artwork celebrates the grit of a bygone era.

“Mr. Anschutz has a very deep passion for the American West. His art collection certainly speaks to that,” says Johnson. With some 1,200 items adorning the soaring space, it took three years to complete the design and bring the saloon to life. “He wanted the walls full, he wanted them very full,” she says. “Not just full of his paintings and taxidermy, but also to show the history of the Old West.” 

What’s in a Name?

Named after western author Larry McMurty’s 2014 novel about Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, The Last Kind Words Saloon is a window to the storied past of this 99-year-old property and the rugged characters who shaped the region. Just as the book chronicles the lives of Earp and Holliday and reflects on the waning days of the American frontier through the eyes of this iconic duo, the saloon of the same name recounts the pioneering era and spirit that sculpted the West.

With dishes like the Half Rack Pork Ribs, Bison Burger, and Flat Iron Steak, the menu features hearty American fare. Prickly pear barbecue sauce and sarsaparilla drinks incorporate ingredients straight out of a cowboy classic. The Fred Harvey Mule and Gunsmoke cocktails honor the western atmosphere, while nose paint samplings of American whiskey complete the outlaw image of this dusty outpost in the middle of Death Valley. 

Every western oasis needs its watering hole, and The Last Kind Words Saloon is as good as it gets. Replete with Wild West character, gunfighter atmosphere, and an irresistible menu to match, this gold nugget rewards all who make the journey.   

For more information about The Oasis at Death Valley, visit OasisAtDeathValley.com.

For more travel experiences available from Xanterra TravelCollection® and its affiliated properties, visit  Xanterra.com/stories.