Near Furnace Creek in Inyo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Old Harmony Borax Works
By Craig Baker, October 30, 2020
1. Old Harmony Borax Works Marker
On the marsh near this point borax was discovered in 1881 by Aaron Winters who later sold his holdings to W. T. Coleman of San Francisco. In 1882 Coleman built the Harmony Borax Works and commissioned his superintendent J. W. S. Perry to design wagons and locate a suitable route to Mojave. The work of gathering the ore (called cottonball) was done by Chinese workmen. From this point processed borax was
transported 165 miles by Twenty Mule Team to the railroad until 1889.Erected 1962 by California State Park Commission, Death Valley 49ers Inc ., National Park Service. (Marker Number 773.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list.
Location. 36° 28.797′ N, 116° 52.184′ W. Marker is near Furnace Creek, California, in Inyo County. Marker is at the intersection of California Route 190 and Borax Mill Road, on the left
By Mike Stroud, 2010
2. Old Harmony Borax Works Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. White Gold (approx. 0.3 miles away); Borax (approx. 0.3 miles away); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 1.3 miles away); Old Dinah (approx. 1.6 miles away); 20 Mule Team Wagon Train (approx. 1.6 miles away); Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley (approx. 1.6 miles away); Death Valley 49ers Gateway (approx. 2.4 miles away); Zabriskie Point (approx. 5.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Furnace Creek.
Regarding Old Harmony Borax Works. This site was designated as California Registered Historical Landmark No.773 on August 16, 1962.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. — 20 Mule Team routes.
Also see . . . Death Valley History -. Harmony Borax Works (Submitted on June 15, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Additional comments.
1. Borax,
also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is an important boron compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid. It is usually a white powder consisting of soft colorless crystals that dissolve easily in water.
Borax
By Craig Baker, October 30, 2020
3. Old Harmony Borax Works Marker
— Submitted June 16, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
4. Old Harmony Borax Works Marker
By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
5. Old Harmony Borax Works Marker seen along State Road 190 and Borax Mill Road
By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
6. Old Harmony Borax Works as seen today
National Park Service display
By Craig Baker, October 29, 2020
7. Old Harmony Borax Works
and Twenty Mule Team Wagons
By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
8. Old Harmony Borax Works
By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
9. Old Harmony Borax Works " White Gold "
Though steeped in legend, the frenzied search
for gold and other materials in Death Valley
produced few fortunes. Borax, the "White
Gold of the Desert," ranks as the valley's
most profitable mineral.
Harmony Borax works, in front of you, was one of Death Valley's first borax operations. It operated from 1883-1888. The 3/8-mile interpretive trail takes you through Harmony borax works. Picture: A 20 mule team at the Harmony Borax works about 1885. Some "20 mule" teams, like this one, had varying numbers of animals.
Harmony Borax works, in front of you, was one of Death Valley's first borax operations. It operated from 1883-1888. The 3/8-mile interpretive trail takes you through Harmony borax works. Picture: A 20 mule team at the Harmony Borax works about 1885. Some "20 mule" teams, like this one, had varying numbers of animals.
By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
10. Typical 20 mule team wagon arrangement
By Nat. Park Service
11. Twenty Mule Team Wagon
hauled borax out of Death Valley
for only 6 years in the 1800s, yet are an enduring symbol of both borax and Death Valley.
By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
12. Twenty Mule Teams
For more than a century, the 20 Mule Team
has been a symbol of the borax industry ---
on product labels, in history books, and on
television. The status is well- earned; mule
teams helped solve the most diffiult task that
faced Death Valley borax operators --- getting
the product to market.
The mule teams pulled loads weighing up to 36 tons (33,113 kg), including 1,200 gallons (4,545 l) of drinking water. The rear wagon wheels were 7 feet (2.1m) high, and the entire unit with mules was more than 100 feet (30.5m) long. (Death Valley National Park)
The mule teams pulled loads weighing up to 36 tons (33,113 kg), including 1,200 gallons (4,545 l) of drinking water. The rear wagon wheels were 7 feet (2.1m) high, and the entire unit with mules was more than 100 feet (30.5m) long. (Death Valley National Park)
By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2010
13. Old Harmony Borax Works
By Craig Baker, October 29, 2020
14. Adobe Building
Death Valley Natural History Assoc-Decker Press, Inc. Photo by Warren Hill
15. Vintage Postcard - Typical Twenty Mule Team Outfit
During the 1880's, the twenty mule teams hauled borax from the refinery at Harmony Borax Works to the railroad at Mohave, California, 165 miles away. The twenty mule teams hauled loads of 36 1/2 tons and made the trip to Mojave in 10 days, maintaining almost timetable precision. The triumph of the twenty mule teams over the harsh desert was tremendous, but brief. In 1888 the great wagons and the twenty mule teams made their last trip out of Death Valley.
16. Vintage Postcard - Old Harmony Borax Mill-Death Valley, California
The ruins of the old mill, a few miles north of the Furnace Creek Ranch, which was in operation from 1883 to 1987. A 20 mult-team could haul 46,000 pounds of borax and its own water and hay on the arduous ten day, 165 mile trip to Mojave via Wingate Pass. Truly one of the great legends of the West
Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,305 times since then. Last updated on October 30, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on October 30, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on June 15, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3. submitted on October 30, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 15, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 7. submitted on October 30, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 8. submitted on June 15, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 9. submitted on July 5, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 10. submitted on June 15, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 11, 12. submitted on June 16, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 13. submitted on June 15, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 14. submitted on November 6, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 15, 16. submitted on September 29, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
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