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

Searles Lake Borax Discovery

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 26, 2020

1. Searles Lake Borax Discovery Marker

Inscription. Borax was discovered on the nearby surface of Searles Lake by John Searles in 1862. With his bother, Dennis he formed the San Bernardino Borax Mining Company in 1873 and operated it until 1897. These chemicals in Searles Lake which include borax, potash, salt cake and lithium were deposited here by the runoff waters from melting ice age glaciers. John Searles discovery has proved to be the worldís richest chemical storehouse, containing half the natural elements known to man. Plaque placed by the Death Valley 49ers. Inc., the American Potash & Chemical Corp., and the West End Chemical Division of Stauffer Chemical Corp. November 8, 1962.

Erected 1962 by Death Valley 49ers. Inc., the American Potash & Chemical Corp., and the West End Chemical Division of Stauffer Chemical Corp. (Marker Number 774.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1800.

Location. 35° 45.461′ N, 117° 22.64′ W. Marker is in Trona, California, in San Bernardino County. It is at the

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intersection of Trona Road and Center Street, on the right when traveling north on Trona Road. Marker is located in the roadside rest area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Trona CA 93562, 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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Guest House Museum (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Austin Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Trona Unified School (approx. one mile away); Epsom Salts Monorail (approx. 5.3 miles away); John & Dennis Searles Wagon Routes (approx. 5.3 miles away); Famous Trona Pinnacles (approx. 5.4 miles away); Valley Wells (approx. 5.4 miles away);

Photographed by Michael Kindig, December 4, 2011

2. Searles Lake Borax Discovery Marker

Welcome to the Trona Pinnacles (approx. 9.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Trona.

More about this marker. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 774

Also see . . . John Wemple Searles. Son of George and Helen Wemple Searles was born at Tribes Hill, Montgomery county, New York. He inherited fortitude and tenacity from ancestors who served with the American army in the Revolutionary war. He came to California to find gold, but found riches and built a legacy of benefits and blessings through the discovery of the glittering borax crystals in the lake bed which now bears his name. (Submitted on December 7, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California.)

Photographed by Michael Kindig, December 4, 2011

3. Searles Lake Borax Discovery Marker

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 26, 2020

4. Searles Lake Borax Discovery Marker

John Wemple Searles image. Click for full size.

Searles Valley Historical Society

5. John Wemple Searles

This is one of the last photographs of John Searles. John died in October 1897. He is buried in the St. Helena, California, cemetery in the Napa Valley.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,433 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 5, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3. submitted on December 7, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 4. submitted on November 5, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on December 7, 2011. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.