20-Mule-Teams in Death Valley
For many, the image of 20-Mule-Teams in Death Valley conjures up the very essence of this stark and beautiful landscape. These legendary "big teams" were instrumental in the late 19th century, tasked with the formidable job of hauling borax from the Harmony Borax Works, owned by William T. Coleman and situated near Furnace Creek, to the railhead in Mojave, California. This grueling journey, spanning 165 miles across primitive roads, took ten arduous days to complete. While their operational lifespan was relatively short, lasting only from 1883 to 1889, the 20-Mule-Teams in Death Valley left an indelible mark on the collective imagination of the Old West. This enduring legacy is largely attributed to a remarkably successful advertising campaign that promoted 20-Mule-Team Borax Soap, coupled with the long-running and popular Death Valley Days radio and television program.
The term "Twenty-mule team" is slightly misleading. These powerful caravans actually consisted of eighteen mules and two horses, meticulously harnessed to massive wagons designed to transport borax from the mines to the nearest railway connection. The 20-Mule-Teams in Death Valley were a crucial element in the borax mining operation.
While William T. Coleman is often credited with pioneering the use of these large mule teams in Death Valley, the concept of utilizing such powerful animal-drawn transport predates his venture. Francis "Borax" Smith, a contemporary of Coleman, had previously employed 24-mule teams to haul impressive 30-ton loads of borax across a 160-mile stretch of desert between Teel’s Marsh and Wadsworth, Nevada. This operation occurred approximately six years prior to Coleman’s deployment of the 20-Mule-Teams in Death Valley.
However, Coleman’s implementation of the 20-mule teams specifically within the harsh environment of Death Valley was a significant innovation. The wagons themselves were marvels of engineering, among the largest ever pulled by draft animals. Designed to carry an astounding 10 metric tons of borax ore per load, they represented a remarkable feat of logistics and transportation for the era.
The composition and operation of these teams were carefully orchestrated. Two horses, larger and possessing significant initial pulling power, led the procession. Although strong, the horses were not as well-suited to the extreme desert conditions as the more resilient mules. Behind the horses stretched a line of eighteen mules, all connected to an 80-foot chain. This chain was the primary means of communication and control. The team drivers, known as "muleskinners," were highly skilled and experienced individuals. Although each muleskinner wielded a whip consisting of a six-foot handle and a 22-foot lash, its use was rare. The primary method of directing the team was through manipulating the chain, often referred to as the "jerk line."
The responsibilities of the muleskinners extended far beyond simply driving the team. They were responsible for the daily harnessing of the mules, meticulously inspecting each piece of equipment for wear and tear, and ensuring the entire outfit was properly connected. They also attended to the health and well-being of the animals, providing care for any sick or injured mules, and were skilled in repairing the wagons when necessary. These demanding tasks earned them substantial wages for the time, ranging from $100 to $120 per month, a testament to the value placed on their expertise and dedication. At the end of each grueling day, "swampers" took over, unharnessing the animals, gathering firewood, and preparing meals for the entire crew. The success of the 20-Mule-Teams in Death Valley was dependent on the close cooperation between the muleskinners and the swampers.
The wagons used by the 20-Mule-Teams in Death Valley were truly impressive in their size and construction. The rear wheels, towering at seven feet in height, were crafted from solid, one-inch-thick iron. The wagon beds, made from durable oak, measured 16 feet in length, 6 feet in depth, and weighed a staggering 7,800 pounds when empty. The first wagon in the train was referred to as the "trailer," while the second was known as the "tender." A water tank wagon brought up the rear, carrying a vital 1,200 gallons of water to sustain both the mules and the men throughout the journey. The water supply was replenished at natural springs along the route, as carrying enough water for the entire round trip was simply impossible. In total, the entire caravan, including the mules, stretched over an impressive 180 feet. When fully loaded with borax ore, the total weight reached a remarkable 73,200 pounds. Despite their strength, a loaded team could only manage an average of 17 miles per day.
Between 1883 and 1889, the twenty mule teams hauled more than 20 million pounds of borax out of Death Valley. During those six years, the teams operated with remarkable precision, completing the 330-mile round trip between the Harmony Borax Works and the railhead in approximately 20 days, despite the challenging terrain and harsh climate. A fully loaded team departed the borax works every four days, ensuring a consistent flow of valuable ore. Remarkably, during this entire period, not a single animal was lost, nor did a single wagon suffer a breakdown. This is a testament to the ingenuity of the designers and builders of the equipment, as well as the incredible stamina and resilience of both the men and the mules who made the operation possible.
In the late 1880s, William T. Coleman experienced financial difficulties and lost his fortune. In 1890, Francis Marion Smith acquired Coleman’s properties. Smith made the strategic decision to close both the Harmony and Amargosa Borax Works, opting to focus on properties located closer to the railheads. Smith’s company was then renamed the Pacific Coast Borax Company. While the teams continued to be utilized, they never again operated on the same scale as they had previously. By 1896, all shipping was being conducted directly by rail, signaling the end of the era of the 20-Mule-Teams in Death Valley as a primary mode of transportation.
In 1891, Stephen Mather, the company’s New York office administrator, convinced Smith to add the name "20 Mule Team Borax" to the packaging, alongside the already familiar sketch of the mule team. The trademark for the name and image was officially registered three years later.
A decade later, the Pacific Coast Borax Company embarked on an ambitious marketing campaign, sending teams of drivers and jerk-line teams to major cities across the United States to promote their laundry product by distributing free samples. The inaugural appearance of the borax teams occurred at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, capturing the imagination of the public.
The team also made a memorable appearance in New York City at the World’s Fair of 1917. The journey from Oakland, California, to New York City took an impressive two years to complete. The teams were also present at the dedication ceremony for the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937 and continued to make periodic re-enactment appearances in Death Valley, keeping the legacy of the 20-Mule-Teams in Death Valley alive.
In the mid-1930s, an advertising agency recognized the enduring popularity of Western themes and developed the Death Valley Days radio program, sponsored by the company, which by then was known as Borax Consolidated. The radio program’s success paved the way for a long-running television show of the same name. The borax-sponsored TV show aired approximately 600 episodes from 1952 to 1975, further solidifying the association between the 20-Mule-Teams in Death Valley and the Borax brand in the public consciousness.
The final promotional appearance of the team occurred on January 1, 1999, at the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, marking the end of an era.
Today, the twenty mule teams are primarily a fond memory, a symbol of a bygone era. However, two of the last remaining wagons can still be seen in Death Valley, serving as tangible reminders of the vital role these teams played in the region’s history. One wagon is prominently displayed in front of the Furnace Creek Ranch, while the other is located at the Harmony Borax Works, allowing visitors to connect with the rich heritage of the 20-Mule-Teams in Death Valley.