Twenty mule team wagons used for hauling borax
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Twenty mule team wagons used for hauling borax
Twenty mule team wagons used for hauling borax out of Death Valley, Barstow, California. Those twenty mule team Borax wagons, seen on the railway station platform at Barstow, California were used in the 1880s for hauling borax from Furnace Creek, Death Valley, 165 miles to the then nearest railway. The team was driven by a single jerk-line, 120 feet long. The journey required sixteen days, with summer temperatures as high as 140 degrees. Each wagon weighs 7800 pounds and carried a load of fifteen tons. The rear wheels are seven feet hight, each weighing 600 pounds. The tank wagon carried 1200 gallons, as there was one stretch of 60 miles without water
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Media ID 4478103
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Barstow Borax California Hauling Mule Trains Twenty Wagon Wagons
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph portrays twenty mule team wagons, a remarkable feat of American transportation history, gathered at the railway station in Barstow, California. Dating back to the 1880s, these wagons played a crucial role in the extraction of borax from the inhospitable terrain of Death Valley. The twenty mule teams, each driven by a single jerk-line 120 feet long, were responsible for hauling the precious mineral an arduous 165 miles to the nearest railway. The journey was no easy feat, with summer temperatures reaching scorching highs of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Weighing 7800 pounds each, these sturdy wagons carried a formidable fifteen-ton load. The rear wheels, standing tall at seven feet and weighing a hefty 600 pounds, were essential for navigating the rugged terrain. The tank wagon, visible in the foreground, held an impressive 1200 gallons of water, a necessity during the long journey. One stretch of the route, spanning 60 miles, was particularly challenging due to the lack of available water. This photograph offers a glimpse into the past, showcasing the ingenuity and resilience of the pioneers who braved the harsh conditions to extract borax from Death Valley. The twenty mule teams, a vital part of American history, stand as a testament to the determination and resourcefulness of those who came before us.
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