A verdant oasis situated near the heart of Death Valley, Furnace Creek is one of the few sites in the area with enough water to support a flourishing human community. A visitor center and museum provide information on the history and natural wonders of Death Valley. Mesquite and palm trees, some towering to a height of 50 feet, lend ample shade to the Furnace Creek Ranch, a modern resort offering golf and tennis.  It evolved from an 1880s ranch where gritty, exhausted mule team drivers recuperated from grueling treks hauling borax across the blazing desert to Mojave. About a mile south of the visitor's center is the elegant establishment  known as the Furnace Creek Inn.