CA-773 Old Harmony Borax Works

Marker text: OLD HARMONY BORAX WORKS

On the marsh near this point borax was discovered in 1881 by Aaron Winters who later sold his holdings to W. T. Coleman of San Francisco. In 1882 Coleman built the Harmony Borax Works and commissioned his superintendent J. W. S. Perry, to design wagons and locate a suitable route to Mojave. The work of gathering the ore (called "Cottonball") was done by Chinese workmen. From this point processed borax was transported 165 miles by twenty mule team to the railroad until 1889.

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 773

Plaque placed by the California State Park Commission in cooperation with the Death Valley '49ers, Inc. and the National Park Service, November 10, 1962