Christian Brevoort Zabriskie
Christian Brevoort Zabriskie | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Fort Bridger, Wyoming Territory, United States |
| Died | February 8, 1936 (aged 71) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Vice President of Pacific Coast Borax Company |
| Known for | Vice president of Pacific Coast Borax Company; namesake of Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park |
Christian Brevoort Zabriskie (October 16, 1864 – February 8, 1936) was a prominent American entrepreneur who held the position of vice president at the Pacific Coast Borax Company. The landmark Zabriskie Point located within Death Valley National Park bears his name in recognition of his contributions.
Early years
Zabriskie was born at Fort Bridger in the Wyoming Territory, son of Captain Elias B. Zabriskie. His lineage traces back to Albrycht Zaborowski, a Polish immigrant who established roots in New Jersey in 1662. At the outset of his professional journey, he served as a telegraph operator for the Virginia and Truckee Railroad in Nevada. Subsequently, he relocated to Candelaria, Nevada, where he was employed by the Esmeralda County Bank and also co-established a funeral service enterprise.
Borax career
In 1885, Zabriskie's path changed when F. M. "Borax" Smith appointed him to oversee Chinese workers at the Pacific Coast Borax Company's Columbus Marsh site near Candelaria. Over a tenure spanning 36 years until his retirement in 1933, he advanced to the roles of vice president and general manager. During his leadership, the company shifted its operations from Candelaria and expanded borax extraction activities into areas such as Death Valley, the Calico Mountains, and Searles Lake close to Trona, California.
Although Death Valley was designated a National Monument after Zabriskie's retirement, the naming of Zabriskie Point endures as a tribute to his extensive service. He died three years following his departure from the company, in 1936.