Mojave in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Mojave 20-Mule Team Borax Terminus
Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 15, 2006
1. Mojave 20-Mule Team Borax Terminus Marker
Just west of this point was the Southern Pacific terminus for the Twenty-Mule-Team Borax wagons that operated between Death Valley and Mojave from 1884 to 1889. The route ran from the Harmony Borax Mining Company works, later acquired by the Pacific Coast Borax Company, to the railroad loading dock in Mojave over 165 miles of mountain and desert trail. A round trip required 20 days. The ore wagons hauled a payload of twenty four tons. They were designed by J.W.S. Perry, Borax Company superintendent in Death Valley, and built in Mojave at a cost of $900 each. New borax discoveries near Barstow ended the Mojave shipments in 1889.
Erected 1958 by The California State Parks Commission in cooperation with the Kern County Historical Society, El Tejon Parlor No.239, Native Daughters of the Golden West and Kern County Museum. October 19, 1958. (Marker Number 652.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists.
Location. 35° 3.417′ N, 118°
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Golden Queen Mine Cart (approx. 0.9 miles away); Voyager Aircraft / SpaceShipOne Replica (approx. one mile away); Wen Painter (approx. one mile away); Albert C. Hansen (approx. one mile away); United States Marine Corps Air Station (approx. one mile away); Mojave Air & Spaceport (approx. one mile away); Rotary Rocket Roton ATV (approx. one mile away); Convair CV-990 (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mojave.
Regarding Mojave 20-Mule Team Borax Terminus. This site has been designated California Historical Landmark No.652.
A set of Twenty Mule Team wagons are on display at the Borax Visitor Center, 30 miles east of here.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. — Twenty Mule Team routes.
Also see . . .
1. Borax – The 20-Mule Team. Santa Clarita Valley History website entry (Submitted on September 29, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
2. Borax and the 20-Mule Team. Desert USA website entry
Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 15, 2006
2. Mojave 20-Mule Team Borax Terminus Marker
3. Harmony Borax Works. Digital Desert-Mohave Desert website entry (Submitted on September 29, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
4. U.S. Borax Visitor Center. A museum of all things borax, with Twenty Mule Team wagons on display, and a spectacular view into the mine, open 9-5 daily. Nearby, in the town of Boron, is the Twenty Mule Team Museum, open 10-4 daily. (Submitted on March 9, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)
Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 15, 2006
3. Street Sign
Photographed By Craig Baker, March 8, 2018
4. View of Marker, looking north on Highway 14.
Death Valley Natural History Assoc-Decker Press, Inc. Photo by Warren Hill
5. 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.
Photographed By Syd Whittle
6. 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 March 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 4,385 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on September 27, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 29, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on December 4, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4. submitted on March 8, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5, 6. submitted on September 29, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
