Independence is a

census-designated place A census-designated place (CDP) is a concentration of population defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes only. CDPs have been used in each decennial census since 1980 as the counterparts of incorporated places, such ...

in Inyo County, California. Independence is located south-southeast of

Bishop A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is ca ...

, at an elevation of 3930 feet (1198 m). It is the county seat of Inyo County, California. The population of this

was 669 at the 2010 census, up from 574 at the 2000 census.

Geography

The small town of Independence is bisected by

U.S. Route 395 U.S. Route 395 (US 395) is a U.S. Route in the western United States. The southern terminus of the route is in the Mojave Desert at Interstate 15 near Hesperia. The northern terminus is at the Canada–US border near Laurier, where the road be ...

, the main north-south highway through the

Owens Valley Owens Valley (Numic Numic is a branch of the Uto-Aztecan language family. It includes seven languages spoken by Native American peoples traditionally living in the Great Basin, Colorado River basin, Snake River basin, and southern Great Pl ...

. The Sierra Nevada mountains to the west lie within the John Muir Wilderness Area. Onion Valley, one of the principal entry routes to the John Muir Wilderness, is accessed via the Onion Valley road which heads directly west out of Independence. This trail takes hikers to Kings Canyon/ Sequoia National Parks which protect the Sierra Nevada west of the divide between the Owens Valley on the east and the rivers which drain into the San Joaquin Valley to the west. Independence is a popular resupply location for hikers trekking the 2,650 mile long Pacific Crest Trail which extends from the Mexican border to Canada along the crest of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Ranges. The highest pass along the entire trail, 13,153 foot (4009 m) Forester Pass, is directly west of Independence. According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...

, Independence covers an area of , over 99% of it land. The elevation of Independence is above sea level.

Climate

Independence, as well as most of the Owens Valley, has a high hot desert climate with hot summers and cool winters. January temperatures range from an average high of to an average low of . July temperatures range from an average high of to an average low of . The highest recorded temperature was 115 °F (46 °C) in June 2017. The lowest recorded temperature was on January 9, 1937. There are an average of 97.7 days annually with highs of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher and an average of 88.1 days with lows of 32 °F (0 °C) or less. Annual precipitation averages only . The most precipitation in one month was in February 1904. The most precipitation in 24 hours was on December 6, 1966. Snowfall varies greatly from year to year, averaging only .

History

Charles Putnam founded a trading post at the site in 1861. It became known as Putnam's, and later Little Pine from the Little Pine Creek. The site of Putnam's Cabin, across the street from the Inyo County Courthouse, is a

California Historical Landmark A California Historical Landmark (CHL) is a building, structure, site, or place in California that has been determined to have statewide historical landmark significance. Criteria Historical significance is determined by meeting at least one of ...

# 223. Independence began as the US Army

Camp Independence Fort Independence, originally named Camp Independence, was a fort located in the Owens Valley, north of present-day Independence, Inyo County, eastern California. The U.S. Army post was active from 1862 to 1877. History Camp Independence Camp ...

(two miles north of the current town) established by Lieutenant Colonel

George S. Evans George Spafford Evans (August 8, 1826 – September 17, 1883) was a military officer, miner, businessman, County Clerk for Tuolumne County, Customs official and Senate Clerk for the State of California. Early life Born on August 8, 1826 in Tecum ...

on July 4, 1862. Colonel Evans established the camp at the request of local settlers who feared hostilities from the local indigenous tribes. 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 the

Fort Independence Indian Community of Paiute Indians The Fort Independence Indian Community of Paiute Indians of the Fort Independence Reservation is a federally recognized tribe of Mono and Timbisha in the Owens Valley, in Inyo County, eastern California. As of the 2010 Census the population was ...

. Independence became the seat of Inyo County in 1866 when its chief competitor for the honor, a mining camp called Kearsarge, disappeared under an

avalanche An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a slope, such as a hill or mountain. Avalanches can be set off spontaneously, by such factors as increased precipitation or snowpack weakening, or by external means such as humans, animals, and earth ...

.Inyo County Supervisor Jim Bilyeu quoted in The Los Angeles Times 15 July 2007 The first post office at Independence was established in 1866. United States Army General

John K. Singlaub Major General John Kirk Singlaub (July 10, 1921 – January 29, 2022) was a major general in the United States Army, founding member of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and a highly decorated officer in the former Office of Strategic Servi ...

(1921 – 2022) was born in Independence.

Museums

The Eastern California Museum with extensive collections, exhibits, and programs; is located at 155 North Grant Street in Independence. The home of author

Mary Austin Mary Austin may refer to: * Mary Hunter Austin (1868–1934), American writer of fiction and non-fiction * Mary V. Austin (1900–1986), Australian community worker and political activist * Mary Brown Austin (1768–1824), mother of Texan pioneer S ...

, the author of ''

The Land of Little Rain ''The Land of Little Rain'' is a book written by American writer Mary Hunter Austin.Great Basin Wildflowers, Laird R. Blackwell, 2006, Morris Book Publishing LLC., First published in 1903, it contains a series of interrelated lyrical essays abo ...

'', is preserved as a museum located at 235 Market Street in Independence.

Library

The Inyo County Free Library is in the Inyo County Courthouse.

Demographics

The

2010 United States Census The United States census of 2010 was the twenty-third United States national census. National Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2010. The census was taken via mail-in citizen self-reporting, with enumerators servin ...

reported that Independence had a population of 669. The population density was . The racial makeup of Independence was 493 (73.7%)

Whites White is a racialized classification of people and a skin color specifier, generally used for people of European origin, although the definition can vary depending on context, nationality, and point of view. Description of populations as " ...

, 6 (0.9%)

African Americans African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...

, 98 (14.6%) Native Americans, 8 (1.2%)

Asians Asian people (or Asians, sometimes referred to as Asiatic people)United States National Library of Medicine. Medical Subject Headings. 2004. November 17, 200Nlm.nih.gov: ''Asian Continental Ancestry Group'' is also used for categorical purpos ...

, 1 (0.1%) Pacific Islanders, 28 (4.2%) from other races, and 35 (5.2%) from two or more races.

Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to Vic ...

Latino Latino or Latinos most often refers to: * Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America * Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States * The people or cultures of Latin America; ** Latin A ...

of any race were 93 persons (13.9%). The Census reported that 603 people (90.1% of the population) lived in households, 8 (1.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 58 (8.7%) were institutionalized. There were 301 households, out of which 57 (18.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 131 (43.5%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 20 (6.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 8 (2.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 13 (4.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 3 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 122 households (40.5%) were made up of individuals, and 47 (15.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00. There were 159

families Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Ideall ...

(52.8% of all households); the average family size was 2.70. The population was spread out, with 100 people (14.9%) under the age of 18, 54 people (8.1%) aged 18 to 24, 117 people (17.5%) aged 25 to 44, 259 people (38.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 139 people (20.8%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.2 males. There were 389 housing units at an average density of , of which 301 were occupied, of which 210 (69.8%) were owner-occupied, and 91 (30.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 5.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.1%. 410 people (61.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 193 people (28.8%) lived in rental housing units.

Politics

In the

state legislature A state legislature is a legislative branch or body of a political subdivision in a federal system. Two federations literally use the term "state legislature": * The legislative branches of each of the fifty state governments of the United Sta ...

, Independence is in , and . Independence is in .

References

External links

Official Eastern California Museum websiteFriends of the Eastern California Museum websiteAttractions in and near IndependenceAnnual Community Events in Independence
{{authority control Census-designated places in Inyo County, California County seats in California Owens Valley Populated places in the Mojave Desert Census-designated places in California 1861 establishments in California Populated places established in 1861