Death Valley, California: The Hottest Park and Scenic Nationalism

Death Valley, California. In 1820, the well-known British writer Sidney Smith mocked the United States for its lack of culture and sophistication. In the four quarters of the globe, who reads an American book, or goes to an American play, or looks at an American picture or statue? This was a common sentiment at the time. America was a young country, barely 40 years old, and most Europeans viewed it as a lowbrow hillbilly backwater. TIMELINE 1820: the well-known British writer Sidney Smith mocked the United States for its lack of culture and sophistication. 1880: his son William Wirt Winchester took over, but succumbed to tuberculosis just one year later. 1884: Sarah moved to California and purchased what would become the Winchester Mystery House. 1900: the village idiot of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, laid on his back in the middle of the woods and heard the voice of God. WHY THIS MATTERS The story of Death Valley is a reminder that the events that shaped America didn't always happen in the biggest cities. What unfolded here left marks on the community that are still visible today. The full story is more complicated, and more human, than the version most people know. Episode 81 | Hometown History | Hosted by Shane Waters If you liked this: Episode 88 (Crescent City, California) Hometown History explores forgotten stories from small-town America. The overlooked events, hidden triumphs, and buried tragedies that shaped the country we live in. New episodes every Tuesday. Find every episode at mythsandmalice.com/hometown-historyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy