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U.S. Borax History

History of the U.S. Borax
20 Mule Team

The history of U.S. Borax is the history of not one but multiple companies drawing on a combination of experience and knowledge, foresight and luck, hard work and perseverance to become a globally respected provider of one of the most versatile and useful materials on earth—borates.

Today, our company proudly calls Boron, California, home. But, our roots stretch from Nevada through Death Valley where the first 20 mule team hauled borax a sweeping 165 miles through the Mojave Desert. Fully loaded with two ore wagons and a 1,200-gallon water wagon, the rig weighed 36.5 tons. Though the expansion of railways led to the 20 mule team’s retirement, the mules have lived on as a symbol for U.S. Borax for more than a century and a half.

Our Commitment to Death Valley

Death Valley National Park

Stephen T. Mather created the iconic 20 Mule Team^® brand when he launched his career with our company as advertising and promotion manager. He was a brilliant salesman who saw enormous untapped potential in the borax market. Mather also saw the potential of the American wilderness and helped create the National Park Service—serving as it's first director.

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Death Valley Conservancy

The Death Valley Conservancy (DVC) is a non-profit organization that provides support and funding for projects that preserve, protect, or enhance Death Valley Park by improving the area’s natural, cultural, and historic resources. The DVC has full responsibility for managing the restoration of sites such as Ryan Mining Camp, operated by Pacific Coast Borax from 1915-1927.

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Learn More About U.S. BorAx History

Wilmington at 100: Historic Perspective and Future Vision

The 100^th anniversary of the opening of this U.S. Borax manufacturing and shipping hub—a key link in both production and our supply chain&mda... Learn More

Blueprints of Time: Unraveling the Rich History of Our Frankfurt Office

When the Rio Tinto Frankfurt office opened in the mid-1960s, it was the company’s gateway to the European market—and one of the company’s fi... Learn More

Mining Safety: A U.S. Borax Legacy

Boron mining safety looks completely different today than it did when we started operating 150 years ago. This year, as we celebrate an important milestone, w... Read More

Timeline

Pioneering Spirit

U.S. Borax was founded on a pioneering spirit. We are responsible for new discoveries, breaching unexplored frontiers, and uncovering new technologies.

Logistics

Over the years, the journey borate ore takes from mine to market has experienced incredible transformation. Let’s look at the key achievements that made logistics safer and more efficient.