Freighting
19th-Century Mojave Desert
courtesy J. Reynolds
In the 19th century, freighting emerged as one of the most important—and demanding—occupations in the Mojave Desert. Long before railroads penetrated the region, the movement of supplies, merchandise, and machinery depended on heavily built wagons drawn by teams of mules, horses, or oxen. The work required capital, skill, and uncommon endurance.
To enter the trade, a freighter needed substantial resources. Freight wagons were expensive, built specifically to withstand punishing terrain, and teams often consisted of eight, ten, twelve, or—on major routes—up to twenty animals. Loads were carefully packed and frequently represented thousands of dollars’ worth of goods: foodstuffs, mining equipment, tools, lumber, and mail bound for isolated camps and settlements.
The men who worked these teams were skilled professionals. Driving a freight outfit across the Mojave Desert demanded foresight, quick judgment, and practical knowledge earned the hard way. Routes crossed mountain passes, alkali flats, sand washes, and lava-strewn plains. Breakdowns, exhausted animals, and missed water stops could prove disastrous.
Routes and Water
Freight traffic followed established corridors shaped by geography and water. The Mojave Road was among the most important of these, linking the Colorado River with Southern California. Springs, wells, and water holes dictated daily travel limits and served as natural waypoints where teams could rest and replenish supplies. Knowledge of these sources often meant the difference between success and failure.Military and Experimental Transport
Freighting was closely tied to military movement and protection. Fort Mojave, established in 1859 along the Colorado River, helped secure key crossings and routes used by freight outfits moving between California and the interior Southwest.During the 1850s, the U.S. Army briefly experimented with camels as draft animals in arid regions. The United States Camel Corps demonstrated that camels were well suited to desert travel, though the program ended before it could replace traditional mule teams.
Mining and Heavy Freight
Mining transformed desert freighting from a marginal pursuit into a backbone industry. Discoveries of silver, gold, and borates created constant demand for transportation. Borax mining, in particular, gave rise to the legendary 20-mule team, which hauled massive loads from remote desert mines to railheads. These outfits—typically eighteen mules and two horses—became symbols of industrial grit and logistical ingenuity.Decline and Transition
By the late 19th century, the expansion of Railroads began to shorten overland hauls and reduce reliance on long wagon freighting routes. Yet for decades, freighters remained indispensable, bridging the gap between mines, military posts, settlements, and distant markets.Legacy
Freighting in the Mojave Desert stands as clear proof of the toughness and adaptability required to operate in one of North America’s harshest landscapes. The routes they followed became roads, the water stops became towns, and the logistical patterns they established shaped the economic geography of the desert long after the wagons were gone.Wagon Roads
Mule teams
Remi Nadeau
Mule Skinner
