California City in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
20-Mule Team Trail
October 15, 2006
1. 20-Mule Team Trail Marker
The wagon beds were 16 feet long, four feet wide, and six feet deep. The front wheels were five feet high and rear wheels seven feet high. When loaded, each wagon weighed 31,800 pounds. Two such wagons, and a water tank (weighing 9,600 pounds), where pulled by a team of 18 mules and two large draft horses. They traveled 15 to 18 miles a day across the mountains and desert.
The round trip took 20 days. Not one animal lost their life on the trail and no wagons broke down while hauling over 20 million pounds of borax. We shall always remember the courage, strength, ingenuity, and stamina for such work. These men and animals are true heroes of America's past.
Erected 2001 by E Clampus Vitus Peter Lebeck Chapter #1866 and The East Kern Historical Museum Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list.
Location. 35° 10.258′ N,
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Randsburg - Mojave Road (approx. 5.3 miles away); California City Veterans Memorial (approx. 5˝ miles away); Desert Spring (approx. 11.2 miles away); Florence "Pancho" Barnes (approx. 12.9 miles away); Josephine Stephens Bishop (approx. 12.9 miles away); Twenty Mule Team (approx. 13 miles away); Borax (approx. 13.3 miles away); Red Rock Canyon State Park (approx. 15.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in California City.
More about this marker. The marker is located at the Borax Bill RV Park. The wagons are now located at the California City Police Station.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. — 20 Mule Team routes.
Photographed By Denise Boose
2. 20-Mule Team Trail Marker
The marker is still there, but the wagons have been moved into town next to the police station.
Photographed By Denise Boose, April 11, 2019
3. 20-Mule Team Wagons
The wagons and water tank used to be by the marker, but they were being vandalized so they were moved to the front of the California City Police Station.
Photographed By Denise Boose, April 11, 2019
4. 20-Mule Team Wagon
Photographed By Denise Boose, April 11, 2019
5. 20-Mule Team Tanker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2017, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. This page has been viewed 520 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on September 27, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on March 17, 2017. 2. submitted on March 26, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 13, 2019, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
