Needles in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Borax Wagon No. 277

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2025

1. Borax Wagon No. 277 Marker

Inscription. This [is] Borax wagon No. 277. It was made by the Studebaker Wagon Company. A wagon factory was being established at Mohave, California about 1880, and was used by Borax companies operating east of Mohave Railhead. 3 of the wagon wheels are Conestoga wheels and 1 is a Mohave wheel. The wagon was used in the filming of “20 Mule Team” staring Wallace Beery in the early 1940's. It was brought to Needles in 1947 where it stood in front of the El Rancho Motel until 1962. The wagon was given to the City of Needles by Mr. Alexander in May of 1962.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 34° 50.183′ N, 114° 36.025′ W. Marker is in Needles, California, in San Bernardino County. It is at the intersection of West Broadway Street (Old U.S. 66) and A Street, on the left when traveling west on West Broadway Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Needles CA 92363, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Mojave Desert,

in the Peninsular Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Citizens of Needles (approx. 0.4 miles away); Needles El Garces Train Station, Needles, California (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old Cantilever Train Signal (approx. 0.4 miles away); National Old Trails

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(approx. 1.1 miles away); Historic Route 66 (approx. 5.4 miles away); Oatman (approx. 9.1 miles away in Arizona); History of the Fort Mojave Tribe (approx. 12.6 miles away in Nevada); Von Schmidt State Boundary Monument (approx. 12.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Needles.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2025

2. Borax Wagon No. 277 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 14, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.