Owens Valley - Inyo Co.
Independence, California
Independence is a census-designated place and the county seat of Inyo County, California. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 574.Geography
Independence is the county seat of Inyo County, California. Independence is located 40 miles (64 km) south-southeast of Bishop, at an elevation of 3930 feet (1198 m).[1] The population was 574 at the 2000 census. Independence is home to the Eastern California Museum. The former home of author Mary Austin is preserved in Independence.
Independence is located is on U.S. Route 395, the main north-south artery through the Owens Valley.
The elevation of Independence is 3,925 feet (1,196 m) above sea level.
Climate
Independence, as well as most of the Owens Valley, has a high desert climate with hot summers and cold winters. January temperatures range from an average high of 54.0°F to an an average low of 27.4°F. July temperatures range from an average high of 97.6°F to an average low of 63.9F°. The highest recorded temperature was 114°F on July 7, 1989. The lowest recorded temperature was -5°F on January 9, 1937. There are an average of 97.7 days annually with highs of 90F° (32°C) or higher and an anaverage of 88.1 days with lows of 32°F (0°C) or lower. Annual precipitation averages only 5.82 inches. The most precipitation in one month was 23.90 inches in February 1904. The most precipitation in 24 hours was 5.72 inches on December 6, 1966. Snowfall varies greatly from year to year, averaging only 5.2 inches. The most snow in one month was 112.0 inches in February 1904.
History
Charles Putnam founded a trading post at the site in 1861.[2] It became known as Putnam's, and later Little Pine from the Little Pine Creek.
Independence began as a US Army camp (two miles north of the current town) established by Colonel George Evans on July 4, 1862. Col. Evans established the camp at the request of local settlers who feared Indian hostilities. The camp was soon closed, but was re-established as Fort Independence when hostilities resumed in 1865. The fort was finally abandoned in 1877, and it is currently a reservation for Native Americans[5].
Independence became the Inyo County seat in the late 19th century when its chief competitor for the site, a camp called Kearsarge, disappeared under an avalanche.
The first post office was established at Independence in 1866.
source: Wikipedia
Also see:
Geography History Ecosubsections
Downtown Independence
Mary Austin House
"A land of lost rivers, with little in it to love; yet a land that once visited must be come back to inevitably. If it were not so there would be little told of it." -- Mary Austin, Land of Little Rain