William T. Coleman – Shipping to Borax
William Tell Coleman, a name synonymous with ambition and entrepreneurial spirit, carved a significant path through 19th-century America. His life, spanning from Kentucky to California and back to New York, was a testament to the possibilities and perils of the American Dream. He was a shipping magnate, a vigilant citizen, a political figure, and ultimately, a borax producer whose endeavors both defined and ultimately consumed him. This is the story of William T. Coleman.
Born on February 29, 1824, in Cynthiana, Kentucky, Coleman’s early life was marked by hardship. Orphaned at a young age, losing his mother when he was eight and his father the following year, he spent his formative years under the care of an aunt until the age of sixteen. This early exposure to adversity likely instilled in him a resilience and self-reliance that would serve him well in his later ventures.
At sixteen, Coleman ventured to St. Louis, Missouri, seeking opportunity and independence. He secured employment with a lumber company, learning the intricacies of the trade and gaining valuable experience in the business world. Demonstrating a commitment to self-improvement, he concurrently enrolled at St. Louis University, pursuing a four-year legal course. This combination of practical experience and formal education equipped him with a diverse skill set, laying the groundwork for his future successes. Following his studies, he briefly managed a plantation in Louisiana, further diversifying his experience. He then returned to his former lumber employers, taking on the responsibility of overseeing timber tracts and sawmills in Wisconsin, honing his management skills and deepening his understanding of resource management.
The discovery of gold in California in 1848 ignited a frenzy that swept across the nation. Like countless others, William T. Coleman and his brother were drawn westward by the allure of fortune. They established themselves in the mercantile business, setting up shop in the burgeoning towns of Sacramento and Placerville. These boomtowns, fueled by the Gold Rush, offered fertile ground for entrepreneurial endeavors. While his brother later ventured to Oregon, William recognized the immense potential of San Francisco.
He settled in San Francisco, a city rapidly transforming from a sleepy port town into a bustling metropolis. Recognizing the need for efficient trade and commerce, he established William T. Coleman & Company. Through shrewd business acumen and unwavering dedication, he built it into the largest commission business in the city. His company became a vital link in the supply chain, facilitating the flow of goods and capital that fueled San Francisco’s rapid growth. William T. Coleman quickly rose to prominence as a leading figure in the city’s burgeoning business community.
However, San Francisco’s rapid growth was not without its challenges. The influx of people overwhelmed the existing infrastructure and legal systems, leading to widespread lawlessness and corruption. In response to this crisis, William T. Coleman became a leading figure in both the 1851 and 1856 Vigilante Committees of San Francisco. These extralegal organizations, comprised of concerned citizens, sought to establish law and order in a city seemingly spiraling out of control. His involvement in these committees highlights his commitment to civic responsibility and his willingness to take decisive action in the face of adversity. His leadership within these groups cemented his reputation as a man of action and integrity.
In 1856, Coleman demonstrated his ambition by establishing a steamship line between New York and San Francisco, further solidifying his presence in the world of commerce. This venture aimed to streamline trade between the East and West Coasts, leveraging the latest technological advancements to improve efficiency and connectivity. The following year, he relocated to New York to personally oversee the operations of this ambitious project.
After several years on the East Coast, William T. Coleman returned to California in the early 1870s with his family. He established a grand residence, a white Roman villa, on Nob Hill in San Francisco, a testament to his success and social standing. He also acquired a spacious country home in San Mateo County, providing a retreat from the bustling city. In 1877, during the Great Railroad Strike, anti-Asian riots erupted in the West, fueled by economic anxieties and racial prejudice. When protestors threatened the docks of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, perceived as a major importer of Chinese laborers, business owners organized a Committee of Public Safety. Coleman was appointed as its president. This committee, acting as a supplementary force to the city police, managed to restore order within a few days, demonstrating the influence and effectiveness of Coleman’s leadership.
Despite his success in shipping and civic affairs, it was his foray into the borax mining industry that would ultimately define his legacy, albeit in a bittersweet way. In the early 1880s, Coleman began to invest heavily in the borax mines of Death Valley, a region known for its harsh climate and mineral wealth.
Borax, a naturally occurring compound used in various industrial and household applications, had been discovered in Death Valley in 1881 by Aaron and Rose Winters. Coleman, recognizing the potential value of this resource, quickly acquired their holdings for $20,000. He then established the Greenland Salt and Borax Mining Company, which commenced operations as the Harmony Borax Works in 1882. That same year, he discovered a new mineral, hydrous calcium borate, in Death Valley, which was subsequently named Colemanite in his honor.
To support his mining operations, Coleman purchased the 40-acre Greenland Ranch, later renamed Furnace Creek Ranch. He transformed this arid landscape into a thriving oasis by harnessing the water flowing from Furnace Creek, providing a vital supply point for his workers and livestock.
The remoteness of Death Valley presented a significant logistical challenge: transporting the finished borax product to market. To overcome this obstacle, Coleman implemented an innovative solution using large mule teams and double wagons to haul the borax across the desert. These "20 mule teams" quickly became an iconic symbol of borax mining and a testament to human ingenuity in the face of adversity. The image of these teams, pulling their heavy loads across the harsh desert landscape, became synonymous with the Coleman brand.
Driven by ambition, Coleman continued to acquire more and more borax properties in Death Valley. He managed to corner the borax market. This overproduction caused the price of borax to plummet. Simultaneously, in 1887, he ventured into the profitable raisin market, attempting to replicate his success by cornering that market as well. However, this overextension proved disastrous, resulting in a substantial financial shortfall amounting to millions of dollars.
Facing financial ruin, Coleman attempted to sell off some of his borax operations to mitigate his losses, but his efforts proved unsuccessful. Ultimately, he was forced to mortgage his properties to Francis M. "Borax" Smith, a rival in the borax industry, and lost them in 1890.
Coleman’s economic empire, which had once boasted an estimated annual business of $14 million, collapsed. He died in San Francisco in 1893, leaving behind a legacy of both triumph and tragedy.
Despite the financial ruin that marked the end of his life, William T. Coleman left an indelible mark on American history. The ruins of his Harmony Borax Works were placed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 31, 1974, and are now part of the National Park Service historical site preservation program in Death Valley National Park. The site serves as a reminder of Coleman’s ambition, innovation, and the enduring legacy of the borax industry in Death Valley. While his dream of controlling the borax market ultimately led to his downfall, his story remains a fascinating example of the risks and rewards inherent in the pursuit of the American Dream.