Throughout America’s history, there are certain
early horse-drawn vehicles that have attained a legendary status… even among
the general public. Examples include Wells Fargo’s Concord Coaches, the
big hitch wagons (along with the Clydesdales) of Anheuser-Busch, and the 20
Mule Team Borax wagons. All are well entrenched symbols of renowned
American brands.
Among those of the largest physical proportions are
the 20 Mule Team Borax wagons. Not only did the entire long-line team and
wagon train stretch over 100 feet in length but the wagons, themselves, are
substantial in size. In other words, they’re big… correction, they’re
huge, massive, colossal, and any other oversized adjective you’d like to
apply.
Built for the ultra-harsh demands of the raw California desert known as Death Valley, these wagons were used from 1883-1888 to haul tens of thousands of pounds of borax over mile after mile of isolated, desolate and forbidding terrain. Modern travelers within this amazing landscape typically enjoy the comforts of air conditioning and a paved road. Yet, within the deceptive beauty of the place, there is a reminder that the environment still demands respect. During our trip, the wind blew constantly. Sand pelted our car, faces and bodies. There were places where small sand dunes were in the process of reclaiming the highway. Mile after rugged mile, this region was equally deceptive as to the wealth it held during the days of the forty-niners.
According to the book, “The Twenty Mule Team of
Death Valley,” gold rush pioneers struggling to make it through this area as
they moved farther west, often referred to the region as ‘the dregs of
creation.’ They were completely oblivious to the fortune in borax beneath
their feet. The Death Valley find was reported by the Scientific
American in 1873 but, it would be another decade before extraction of this
particular ‘white gold’ began in earnest. Since no rail lines were close,
it was decided that a mule train of large wagons would need to be created to
deliver the precious minerals 165 miles one way to the rails.
Up close, these wagons easily dwarf the human body
while standing as huge reminders of just how big the spirit of the west was
(and is)… not to mention the heart of the animals responsible for pulling these
loads. The rear wheels of the lead wagons tower a full 7 feet in height
with 1 inch thick steel tires stretching 8 inches in width. Spokes are
over 2 feet in length and the circumference around the spoke bands is 4 ½
feet! The brake blocks are equally impressive with measurements of 8
inches wide and 43 inches in length. The box widths ranged between 44 and
48 inches. Coupled with a 6 foot box height and a 16 foot box length,
these vehicles weighed nearly 4 tons standing empty.
Enjoying early and large vehicle history as I do,
these historic sets of wheels are a sight to behold. Like so many of
these giant workhorses from the 19th century, they are but shells of
their former selves. The sun, wind and weather attack them
incessantly. Without further protection, they will one day succumb to the
beatings. I count it a privilege to have been able to be so close to such
a powerful symbol of our nation’s heritage. Today, borax is still a vital
material with a wealth of uses. Areas like cosmetics, medicines,
detergents, ceramics, plastics, fire retardants, flux, food additives, putty,
insulation, water softeners, indelible ink, swimming pool maintenance,
blacksmithing, moth-proofing wool, and even products designed to help stop
radiator leaks all lean on the strength of borax. It’s a product with
countless uses and continues to play a significant role in life
everywhere. Ultimately, the story of the 20 Mule Team and Borax wagons is
a testimony to the can-do spirit that built this land and a reminder of the
value of freedom, the richness of our nation, and benefits of our free
enterprise system.
