Big Bear, CA
I quiet mountain community full of back country adventure.
The Twenty Mule Team of Death Valley (Images of America)
The image of 20 mules hauling a train of wagons was once as popular as the golden arches are today. Everyone knew what it meant. It was the trademark of Pacific Coast Borax’s most famous product, a laundry additive called Twenty Mule Team Borax. The company’s advertising was dependent on one important fact: the connection between the Twenty Mule Team and America’s most notorious desert, Death Valley. From 1883 to 1888, teams of mules and wagons hauled borax out of the famed valley on the California-Nevada border. During those years, the teams were not famous; they were just a common means of transportation. After all, it was not the first time 20 mules hauled borax and it was not the longest or the most treacherous path. So what happened? How did this common form of transportation (the big-rig truck of its day) become transformed into an American icon? That is the story of this book.
About the Author
Ted Faye is a documentary filmmaker whose company, Gold Creek Films, specializes in stories of the West. Ted develops touring information, including audio CDs, signage, and brochures. He also helps communities to find and tell their stories. Ted was the historian to US Borax, and many images from this book are from the Borax collection at Death Valley National Park.
Book Summary
| Title | The Twenty Mule Team of Death Valley (Images of America) |
| Author | Ted Faye |
| Publisher | Arcadia Publishing |
| Pages |
William Harrison Clanton
William Harrison Clanton also known as Billy Clanton was an American outlaw known for his involvement in the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Born in 1856 in the Arizona Territory, he was the son of a Confederate veteran, which shaped much of his early life and affiliations.
Clanton’s family, including his brothers Frank and Ike, were cattle ranchers and became involved in various conflicts with local law enforcement and other groups. Billy Clanton, along with his brothers and their associates, became entangled in the intense and often violent disputes that characterized the lawless frontier era of the American West.
The most notable event in Clanton’s life was his participation in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881, in Tombstone, Arizona. This legendary shootout was a pivotal confrontation between the Clanton gang and the Earp brothers, along with Doc Holliday. The conflict emerged from longstanding tensions between the two groups, who clashed over issues of law and order and local influence.
During the gunfight, Billy Clanton, Frank Clanton, and Tom McLaury, who were associated with the Clanton faction, faced off against the Earp brothers and Holliday. The shootout lasted only about 30 seconds but resulted in the deaths of Billy Clanton, Tom McLaury, and Frank McLaury. The incident cemented the Earps’ and Holliday’s reputations as legendary figures in the Old West and marked a significant moment in the history of law enforcement in the region.
Billy Clanton’s life was cut short at the age of 25, but his legacy lives on as a symbol of the tumultuous and often violent nature of frontier life in the American West. The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral remains one of the most famous events in Western history, and Clanton’s role in it continues to be a subject of interest and debate among historians and enthusiasts.
References
Newman Haynes Clanton
Newman Haynes Clanton was a central figure in the tumultuous period of the American frontier, representing the complex interplay of law, crime, and social dynamics in the late 19th century. His activities, reputation, and eventual death were key factors in the broader historical context of the American West, particularly in the notorious events surrounding Tombstone and the O.K. Corral.
Name: Newman Haynes Clanton
Alias: Old Man Clanton
Birth: January 1, 1816, in North Carolina, USA
Death: August 13, 1881, in Bonita, Arizona, USA
Early Life and Background
Newman Haynes Clanton, often known as “Old Man Clanton,” was born in 1816 in North Carolina. He grew up in a period of significant change and migration in the United States. His early life was characterized by the hardship and instability common to many families of the era, which influenced his later life decisions and actions.
Clanton migrated westward to Texas in the 1840s, where he began to build a life as a rancher. The challenges of frontier life and the opportunities presented by the burgeoning cattle industry were significant factors in shaping his future.
Migration to Arizona
In the 1870s, Clanton moved to Arizona Territory, settling in the area around Tombstone. He became a prominent rancher and cattleman, managing large herds of cattle and establishing a reputation as a significant local figure. His move to Arizona was part of the larger westward expansion and settlement that characterized the American frontier.
Criminal Activities and Reputation
Clanton’s involvement in criminal activities was well-known in the region. He and his family, including his sons Ike, Billy, and Phineas, became notorious for their involvement in cattle rustling and other illicit activities. Clanton was believed to be the leader of a group known as the “Cowboys,” which was involved in various criminal enterprises, including robbery and smuggling.
His criminal activities and the subsequent conflicts with law enforcement and rival groups significantly impacted the social and political landscape of the region. The tension between Clanton’s Cowboys and the law enforcement officials, including the Earp brothers, was a central issue leading up to the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
Family and Legacy
Newman Haynes Clanton’s family was deeply involved in the activities of the Cowboys. His sons, particularly Ike Clanton and Billy Clanton, were key figures in the confrontations with the Earps and their allies. The Clanton family’s reputation for lawlessness made them a focal point of the conflicts in Tombstone.
Clanton’s legacy is closely tied to the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, which took place shortly before his death. Clanton himself was not present at the gunfight, but his influence and actions were critical in the events leading up to it.
Death and Aftermath
On August 13, 1881, Newman Haynes Clanton was killed by a group of Mexicans in a gunfight near Bonita, Arizona. The circumstances of his death remain somewhat mysterious, but it is widely believed that it was related to his ongoing conflicts and the animosity he faced due to his criminal activities.
Clanton’s death marked the end of an era of intense lawlessness in the region. His life and actions had a lasting impact on the history of the American West, particularly in relation to the law enforcement efforts in Tombstone and the broader narrative of frontier justice.
References
Rock Creek Lake Campground
Rock Creek Lake Campground, located in Mono County, California, is a picturesque alpine lake set amidst the breathtaking scenery of the Eastern Sierra Nevada. At an elevation of about 9,600 feet, Rock Creek Lake is tranquil lake is a favorite destination for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, and those seeking a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Natural Beauty
Surrounded by towering pine trees and rugged mountain peaks, Rock Creek Lake offers stunning views that change with the seasons. In the spring and summer, wildflowers dot the meadows, and the clear blue waters of the lake reflect the surrounding landscape. In the fall, the area is painted with vibrant hues of gold and orange as the aspen trees change color. During the winter, the lake and its surroundings are blanketed in snow, creating a peaceful winter wonderland.
Facilities
Rock Creek Lake Campgrounds campsites are well-spaced along the lake shore, with several tent-only, walk-in sites overlooking the lake. Boat rentals, educational programs, groceries and showers are all nearby. Firewood is available on-site for a fee. Bears inhabit the area, so bear-proof lockers are provided for campers to store food.
The campsites at Rock Creek Lake sit on a low hill with scattered aspen and lodgepole pine trees overlooking the lake’s crystal blue waters. At an elevation of 9,600 feet, the facility affords visitors excellent mountain views.
The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika and many species of fish and birds.
Recreation
Rock Creek and other waterways in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains are known for exceptional trout fishing. A catch from the lake may include brook, brown, rainbow and stocked Alpers trout, while anglers may be treated to golden trout in the backcountry. Power boats on the lake are limited to electric motors only.
The area’s majestic scenery and challenging trails are a draw for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. The Tamarack Trail begins in the campground and wanders up to several high-elevation, glacially-carved alpine lakes and ponds.
Campground Summary
| Campground Name | Rock Creek Lake Campground |
| Latitude, Longitude | 37.4526, -118.7324 |
| Sites | 25 |
| Elevation | 9,600 ft |
| Ammenities | Bear Boxes, Fire rings, Table, Flust Toilets, Shower, Water, Camp host |
Rock Creek Lake Campground Map
References
Morgan Seth Earp
Morgan Seth Earp, born on April 24, 1851, in Pella, Iowa, was a notable figure of the American Old West, primarily recognized for his association with his brothers, Wyatt and Virgil Earp. The Earp brothers are best known for their involvement in the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona.
Morgan grew up in a large family, the son of Nicholas Earp and Virginia Ann Cooksey. His early life was marked by the family’s frequent relocations across the American Midwest and West. By the time Morgan reached adulthood, he had worked various jobs, including as a farmer and railroad worker.
In the late 1870s, Morgan followed his brothers to the boomtowns of the West, seeking opportunity and adventure. His initial ventures included working as a stagecoach driver and lawman in Montana and Wyoming. However, it was in Tombstone, Arizona, that Morgan would make his mark on history.
The Earp brothers arrived in Tombstone in 1880, drawn by the silver boom. Morgan quickly became involved in law enforcement, serving as a deputy U.S. marshal under his brother Virgil, who was the city marshal. The Earps’ presence in Tombstone was marked by increasing tension with a group of outlaws known as the Cowboys, led by Ike Clanton and Curly Bill Brocius.
The culmination of this tension occurred on October 26, 1881, in a vacant lot near the O.K. Corral. Morgan, along with Wyatt, Virgil, and their ally Doc Holliday, faced off against the Cowboys in a gunfight that lasted only 30 seconds but became legendary in the annals of the American West. The Earps and Holliday emerged victorious, but the fight left a lasting impact on the community.
Following the gunfight, the Earp family faced ongoing threats and violence. On the night of March 18, 1882, Morgan Earp was ambushed and shot while playing billiards at Hatch’s Saloon in Tombstone. The assassins, believed to be affiliated with the Cowboys, fired through a window, hitting Morgan in the back. Despite the best efforts of his brothers and local doctors, Morgan died from his wounds, uttering his final words, “I can’t see a damned thing.”
Morgan’s death had a profound effect on his brothers, especially Wyatt, who embarked on a vendetta ride to seek justice for Morgan’s murder. Wyatt and his posse pursued and killed several of the suspected assassins, further cementing the Earps’ legacy as figures of frontier justice.
Morgan Earp was buried in the Earp family plot in Colton, California. His life, though cut short, remains a testament to the turbulent and often violent nature of the American frontier. His story, along with those of his brothers, continues to capture the imagination of historians and enthusiasts of the Old West.
Morgan Earp Newspaper Articles
 The Tombstone Epitaph, March 20, 1882The Tombstone Epitaph, March 20, 1882 reports of the murder of Tombstone Resident Morgan Earp while playing pool in Tombstone, Arizona. This event followed the… |
 The Tombstone Epitaph, October 27, 1881The following is the original transcript of The Tombstone Epitaph published on October 27, 1881 on the infamous gun fight at the O K Corral… |
 Tombstone Daily Nugget, October 27, 1881The Tombstone Daily Nugget, October 27, 1881 described the the infamous gun fight at the O K Corral between the Earps and the Clanton faction… |
Earp Family
 James Cooksey EarpJames Cooksey Earp ( June 28, 1841 - January 25, 1926 ) James Cooksey Earp ( June 28, 1841 - January 25, 1926 ) was… |
 Morgan Seth EarpMorgan Seth Earp, born on April 24, 1851, in Pella, Iowa, was a notable figure of the American Old West, primarily recognized for his association… |
 Virgil Walter EarpVirgil Walter Earp ( July 18, 1843 – October 19, 1905) was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, was a prominent lawman and frontier figure known for his… |
 Warren Baxter EarpWarren Baxter Earp ( March 9, 1855 - July 6, 1900 ), the youngest of the Earp brothers, was born into a family that would… |
 Wyatt Berry Stapp EarpWyatt Berry Stapp Earp (March 19, 1848 – January 13, 1929) was an American lawman and gambler who became a legendary figure of the Old… |