Photo Description
This iconic western mining scene has been colorized by Western Mining History. Depicted is a traction engine (steam tractor) hauling borax in Southern California ca. 1900. Traction engines began replacing the iconic "Twenty Mule Teams" starting in the mid 1890s. The traction engines were often not as reliable as the mule teams in the punishing Death Valley climate, and they never completely replaced them.
Photo Details
Year: ca. 1900
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