20 Mule Train
Hauling Borax from Death Valley
In the 19th century tamed burros were used to work Death Valley's borax mines.
|
The two wagons and water trailer
like hauled by the 20 mule teams. | 
The old Boraxo plant in the
Death Valley. |
|
Borax ore (calcium borate) deposits discovered near Columbus, Nev.,
will be called colemanite after prospector William Tell Coleman, 48,
who makes the find with Francis Marion Smith, 26.
They will organize Pacific Coast Borax Co.
and gain virtually a world monopoly in the material used to
tan leather and make glass, porcelain, enamel, and soap.
Smith will acquire additional deposits in California's Death Valley
and haul out ore in huge wagons that will inspire the trademark
"Twenty-Mule Team Borax." |
Sand dunes of northern Death Valley |
 | The road to Bad Water
The lowest point in the western hemisphere,
86 m (282 ft) below sea level, is near Badwater. |
|
Death Valley
An arid desert basin of eastern California and western Nevada.
It includes the lowest point, 86 m (282 ft) below sea level, in the Western Hemisphere.
Despite an average monthly rainfall of only 3.5 mm (.14 in),
Death Valley is home to a large number of plants and animals.
There are more than 900 species of plants here, including many varieties
of wildflowers, creosote bushes, cactus, and mesquite.
Animal life includes bighorn sheep,
coyotes, bobcats, and wild burros, or donkeys.
In 1913 the temperature in Death Valley was 57° C (134° F), the
hottest temperature ever recorded in the United States. |
|
Updated 08-08-04 | 
 | © Bill_MT 2000 |
Many images on other pages were found on line, I saw no credit taken for many thus no credit given. If you think I have one of your images, I will give credit or remove them as you desire.Send message to web master. Thank You Bill_MT
TOP |
