Darwin was established in 1874, after silver and lead was found in the area. The town was named for local rancher Darwin French.

In 1926, the Eichbaum Toll Road opened and Darwin gained access to Death Valley. As a result, the town prospered. When a new highway was built in 1937 that bypassed Darwin, the town declined.

Darwin is located in the southeast of California, 430 km southeast from Sacramento.