Searles Lake Borax Discovery
Borax was discovered on the nearby surface of
Searles Lake by John Searles in 1862. With his
brother, Dennis, he formed the San Bernardino
Borax Mining Company in 1873 and operated it until
1897. The chemicals in Searles Lake, which included
borax, potash, soda ash, salt cake, and lithium, were
deposited here by the runoff waters from melting
ice age glaciers. John Searles' discovery has proved
to be the world's richest chemical storehouse
containing half the natural elements known to man.
California Registered Historical
Landmark No. 774
Plaque placed by the California State Park Commission in
cooperation with the Death Valley 49ers inc., the American
Potash & Chemical Corp. and the West End Chemical Division
of Stauffer Chemical Corp. November 8, 1962
