Harmony Borax Works facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Harmony Borax Works
|
|
 |
|
 Location in California
Location in the United States
|
|
| Nearest city | Stovepipe Wells, California |
|---|---|
| Built | 1883 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000339 |
| Added to NRHP | December 31, 1974 |
The Harmony Borax Works is a historic site located in Death Valley, California. It was once a busy place where a mineral called borax was mined and processed. Today, it is part of Death Valley National Park and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
Discovering Borax and the Famous Teams
In 1881, a couple named Aaron and Rosie Winters found large amounts of borax in Death Valley. This discovery led to big mining plans. Two businessmen, William Tell Coleman and Francis Marion Smith, bought the rights to these borax deposits. They started the Harmony Borax Works in 1883.
The Twenty-Mule Teams
The Harmony Borax Works became very famous because of its unique way of moving borax. From 1883 to 1889, they used huge teams of animals called "twenty-mule teams." Each team had eighteen mules and two horses. These powerful teams pulled giant wagons filled with borax.
The wagons traveled a long, tough route across the land. They hauled the borax all the way to the nearest railroad in Mojave, California. This journey was about 165 miles (266 kilometers) long. It took about ten days to complete one round trip.
During the hot summer months, it was too warm to process borax in Death Valley. So, the mining work would move to a smaller plant. This plant was located in Amargosa, near the town of Tecopa, California. The Harmony Works was run by William Coleman until 1888. At that time, his business faced difficulties.
Borax Smith and the Company's Future
In 1890, Frank M. "Borax" Smith took over the Harmony Borax Works. He was one of the original partners. Smith's company became known as the Pacific Coast Borax Company. This company later created the well-known 20 Mule Team Borax brand.
Work at the Harmony Borax Works eventually stopped. This happened because richer borax deposits were found elsewhere. These new deposits were in the Calico Mountains, at a place called Borate. Mining continued there until 1907.
Harmony Borax Works Today
The Harmony Borax Works was recognized as an important historical site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 31, 1974. Today, it is protected by the National Park Service. Visitors to Death Valley National Park can explore the remains of the old works. They can learn about the history of borax mining and the famous twenty-mule teams.
