On March 31, 2026, an enthusiastic crowd gathered at the U.S. Borax Visitor Center to celebrate the restoration of their iconic 20 Mule Team—marked with an official restoration ribbon-cutting.
The group, representing U.S. Borax employees, retirees, contractors, and members of the Clampers (Eclampus Vitus), played a vital role in the restoration.
Retirees repainted the mules. Clampers restored the wagons. Employees collaborated with contractors to erect signs, pour concrete, and build a protective structure to shelter the mule team for generations to come. The ribbon-cutting honored months of hard work.
The mule team restoration project was a pledge made by U.S. Borax to preserve a piece of Americana. For years, U.S. Borax used twenty mule team wagons to haul borax from the mines to refineries. In the late 1800s, this set hauled ore from Calico to Daggett. These wagons were most likely also used in the popular TV show Death Valley Days.
Learn more about U.S. Borax history
In 1891, Stephen T. Mather, an early advertising and promotion manager, persuaded our founder FM Smith to trademark a sketch of a 20-mule team as well as the phrase “20 mule team borax.” The image and the slogan gained international fame and have represented our brand ever since.
Learn more about Stephen Mather's later work in Death Valley
Representatives from Senator Shannon Grove’s office, Assemblyman Tom Lackey’s team, and Kern County Supervisor Chris Parlier came to recognize the project.
The ceremony ended with the dedication of the 20 Mule Team restoration to Bobby Tanner. Bobby was the last Muleskinner for U.S. Borax, but sadly passed away in June 2024. Bobby’s wife, Claudia, and son, Bo, cut the ribbon, declaring the exhibit officially open.
Left to right: MB Garrison from U.S. Borax, and Bo and Claudia Tanner cut the ribbon to officially open the newly restored 20 Mule Team wagons at the U.S. Borax Visitor Center.
The dedication of the 20 Mule Team Restoration Project to Bobby Tanner was a great way to celebrate the work of so many for the legendary 20 Mule Team.
The U.S. Borax Visitor Center is located at 14486 Borax Road in Boron, California. It's open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday through Saturday excluding major holidays. For more directions and other additional information, please see the Visitor Center web page or email us at visitor.center@riotinto.com.