| Page Views: 4,391 Last Visit to Boron: November, 2003 | BORON by Yaqui - last update: Feb 25, 2009 |
Home of the Twenty Mule Team | Picture by the Col. Vernon P. Saxon Aero Musuem |
It all started when in the 1881 Mr. Winters, a prospector, discovered in Death Valley borate mineral called "Colemanite" or better know too many as "Borax." So, starting in 1883 - 1888 was the beginning of the famed Twenty Mule Teams which were 7,800 pound wagons each hauling at least 12 tons of borax and bone on wheels seven feet high with eight inch steal tires with a train that measured 160 feet long with the best trained twenty mules. They then transported the Borax to the Mojave Desert Railhead 165 miles of scorching desert heat in the summer and freezing temperatures in the winter.
Boron had humble beginning when it was once called Amargo in its bootlegging days. And in 1913 while drilling for water, Dr. John Suckow struck a low grade of colemanite. The company soon bought extensive acreage and discovered even larger deposits and production began 1927. Thanks to Santa Fe Railroad for moving the train depot to Amargo in 1941, the little town soon started to grow into a bustling railroad business and settlers began moving in to make this little community grow so fast. Then in 1945 the once little bootlegging town was renamed to be called, "BORON." Now Boron is considered the north gate to our future technologies with Edwards AFB and Air Force Research Laboratory nearby.California’s Abandoned Mine Lands Program Fact Sheet Stay Out - Stay Alive! |
|  | Very friendly place;-) It's a very nice little town filled with history from the discovery of Borax, Spaceshuddle landing, Test exploration, home of the Twenty Mule Team, and where the one of the "First Woman Aviators", the famed "Pancho Barnes" lived here. Pretty neat huh!
I want to share with you, although this community may be appear in some area a little bit in decay, its still a very active community because I personally know people who live here since they retired from the military. They are very proud of their town and are very active in many activities within their own community and that of the community of Edwards AFB, Ca. People live here because its close to the base, rocket site or the Boron mining site. They love it here and respect it for what it is. Not a lot of communites across the US don't experience some urban plight of decay, but someone how they keep it alive. So do not judge because one or two buildings may not appeal to their standards, but look beyond! Yet, mostly importantly respect their world. |
Florence Lowe "Pancho" Barnes 1901-1975 I just had to add how significance this lady was to our community and a role model for future female aviators. (She broke many aviation speed records). She lived a heck of life and didn’t let too much grass grow under her feet. Edwards Air Force Base celebrates yearly “Pancho Barnes Day” because of her dedication to aviation and to reflect on the good old days of her "Happy Bottom Riding Club"! If you want to know more about it, check out the movie the Right Stuff.
She lived her later years in Boron and still frequenting events at Edwards AFB as a lecturer and honoree with regular invites from such dignitaries as General Jimmy Doolittle. She was even still giving lessons in her favorite aircraft that her son had bought back for her. She passed away in March of 1975 in her rustic rock cabin home with her beloved animals she adored. | | |
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| Pros: | "Friendly hardworking people live here." | | Cons: | "Hot in Summer and windy/cold during winter." | | In A Nutshell: | "Stop, eat, and enjoy the history!" |
Yaqui's Boron Travel Tips
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 Comments for Yaqui about Boron | | | | |
hopang Fri Sep 11, 2009 16:22 UTC
Lovely Boron travel page complete with marvellous photographs and excellent travel tips especially on those museums, memorial park and the visitor center. Thanks for sharing. ~ho & pang | jumpingnorman Fri Jul 24, 2009 06:10 UTC
I thought Boron was just an element, hehehe...But wow, they filmed Erin Brokovich here! My wife and I watched that movie while we were in Sydney...memories...Norman :) | junecorlett Fri Jun 26, 2009 16:40 UTC
Boron - I just learnt something- have a super weeikend DEE. | MD2nd Sun Jun 21, 2009 17:20 UTC
Like your tip on the Murals-tell-a- story. Thank you for taking time to check out Bad Meinberg page, dear Dee! |
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