The annals of California history are rich with figures whose ambition and drive shaped the nascent state, and among them stands William Tell Coleman. A multifaceted individual, Coleman carved a formidable reputation as a shipping magnate, a pivotal political force, and a dominant figure in the borax industry. His journey from humble beginnings to a towering presence in 19th-century California is a testament to the era’s boundless opportunities and cutthroat competition. William Coleman left an indelible mark on the Golden State, from quelling civil unrest in San Francisco to pioneering the legendary borax operations of Death Valley.
Early Life and Formative Experiences
Born on February 29, 1824, in Cynthiana, Kentucky, William Coleman faced early tragedy, losing both his mother at the age of eight and his father the following year. He spent his formative years under the care of an aunt until he was sixteen. Seeking opportunity, Coleman ventured to St. Louis, Missouri, where he gained initial experience with a lumber company. His intellectual curiosity led him to St. Louis University, where he completed a four-year legal curriculum. This legal training, though not directly leading to a career as a lawyer, undoubtedly honed his strategic thinking and organizational skills, which would prove invaluable in his future endeavors. Before his grand move westward, he briefly served as a plantation overseer in Louisiana and later managed timber tracts and sawmills in Wisconsin for his former lumber employers.
Establishing a California Empire
The Gold Rush Beckons West
The promise of the California Gold Rush proved irresistible, drawing William Coleman and his brother to the bustling western frontier. They initially immersed themselves in the mercantile business, establishing operations in the burgeoning towns of Sacramento and Placerville, California. As the gold rush evolved, so too did Coleman’s ambitions. His brother eventually moved north to Oregon, while William recognized the immense potential of San Francisco, a city rapidly transforming into a major port and commercial hub. There, he founded William T. Coleman & Company, a merchandising firm that he meticulously built into the largest commission business in the entire city, demonstrating his exceptional business acumen and leadership.
San Francisco’s Vigilante Crusader
San Francisco in the mid-19th century was a city grappling with rampant lawlessness, corruption, and an ineffective justice system. In response to this chaos, citizens formed vigilante committees, taking law enforcement into their own hands. William Coleman emerged as a central and powerful figure in these movements, playing a leading role in both the 1851 and 1856 Vigilante Committees of San Francisco. These committees, often controversial, were seen by many as essential for establishing a semblance of order and holding criminals accountable when official channels failed. His involvement underscored his commitment to civic duty and his capacity for decisive action, traits that would define much of his public life. Following his success in San Francisco, Coleman expanded his commercial empire by establishing a steamship line connecting New York and San Francisco in 1856. The subsequent year, he relocated to New York to personally oversee and manage this significant expansion of his shipping interests.
Return to California and Public Service
In the early 1870s, Coleman returned to California with his family, settling into a life of prominence. He commissioned a grand white Roman villa atop San Francisco’s exclusive Nob Hill, along with a spacious country estate in San Mateo County, reflecting his considerable wealth and status. However, peace was short-lived. In 1877, the widespread Great Railroad Strike sparked anti-Asian riots throughout the West, particularly violent in San Francisco. When protestors attempted to burn the docks of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, which was perceived as the largest importer of Chinese laborers, business owners again called upon Coleman’s leadership. He was appointed president of a newly formed Committee of Public Safety. This organization acted as a supplementary force to the city police, famously armed only with pick handles. Through decisive action and organized effort, order was swiftly restored within a few days, and the committee was subsequently disbanded, once again highlighting Coleman’s ability to mobilize and lead during times of crisis.
The Borax King of Death Valley
A Risky Investment in the Desert
Despite his diverse successes, Coleman’s final, and ultimately most impactful, venture brought him to the desolate yet resource-rich landscape of Death Valley: the borax mining industry. In the early 1880s, recognizing the immense potential of borax, Coleman began to heavily invest in the region’s burgeoning mines. The discovery of borax in Death Valley in 1881 by Aaron and Rose Winters quickly caught his attention. Coleman promptly purchased their holdings for a substantial $20,000, establishing the Greenland Salt and Borax Mining Company. By 1882, this operation was famously known as the Harmony Borax Works. His keen eye for resources also led him to discover hydrous calcium borate in Death Valley that same year, a mineral subsequently named Colemanite in his honor. To support his extensive mining operations, Coleman acquired the 40-acre Greenland Ranch, later known as the Furnace Creek Ranch, turning it into a vital supply point and a virtual oasis through the strategic use of water from Furnace Creek.
The Iconic 20 Mule Team
The challenge of transporting the refined borax from the remote heart of Death Valley to market was formidable. William Coleman‘s ingenuity led to the development of an iconic and efficient transportation method: the use of large mule teams and double wagons. These powerful teams hauled vast quantities of borax over long overland routes, cementing the romantic image of the “20 Mule Team” as a symbol synonymous with borax in America, a legacy that endures to this day.
Financial Downfall and Enduring Legacy
Coleman’s relentless pursuit of market dominance, however, proved to be his undoing. He continued to acquire more and more borax properties in Death Valley, aiming to corner the entire borax market. While initially successful, this aggressive strategy led to severe overproduction, causing the price of borax to plummet dramatically. Compounding his difficulties, around 1887, he ventured into the profitable raisin market, attempting a similar monopolistic strategy. These combined efforts resulted in a staggering financial shortfall, amounting to millions of dollars. He first attempted to mitigate his losses by selling off some of his borax operations but found no buyers. Ultimately, he was forced to mortgage his borax holdings to the shrewd Francis M. “Borax” Smith, losing them completely by 1890.
The economic kingdom built by William Tell Coleman, which once boasted an estimated annual business of $14 million, suffered a catastrophic collapse. Despite this immense personal financial setback, Coleman worked diligently to settle his affairs, managing to pay off his creditors before his death in San Francisco in 1893. While his business empire ultimately crumbled, his legacy lives on. The historical ruins of Coleman’s Harmony Borax Works were deservedly placed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 31, 1974, and remain a preserved part of the National Park Service historical site program within Death Valley National Park. His story encapsulates the risks and rewards of frontier capitalism, and his contributions to the development of California’s industries and civic order are undeniable.
Conclusion: A Complex Legacy
From the rough-and-tumble streets of San Francisco to the stark, beautiful desolation of Death Valley, William Coleman was a figure of immense drive and influence. His life was a tapestry woven with threads of mercantile success, civic leadership during turbulent times, and pioneering industrial innovation. Though his final business ventures ended in personal financial ruin, the impact of his efforts, particularly in establishing the borax industry and the enduring symbol of the 20 Mule Team, continues to resonate in California history. William Coleman’s story is a compelling chapter in the narrative of American entrepreneurship, embodying the adventurous spirit and formidable will that characterized the Golden State’s formative years.
