Independence is a

census-designated place A census-designated place (CDP) is a Place (United States Census Bureau), 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 count ...

Inyo County, California Inyo County () is a county in the eastern central part of the U.S. state of California, located between the Sierra Nevada and the state of Nevada. In the 2020 census, the population was 19,016. The county seat is Independence. Inyo County is ...

. 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 c ...

, at an elevation of 3930 feet (1198 m). It is the county seat of

. 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 ...

, the main north-south highway through the

Owens Valley Owens Valley ( Numic: ''Payahǖǖnadǖ'', meaning "place of flowing water") is an arid valley of the Owens River in eastern California in the United States. It is located to the east of the Sierra Nevada, west of the White Mountains and Iny ...

. The Sierra Nevada mountains to the west lie within the

John Muir Wilderness Area The John Muir Wilderness is a wilderness area that extends along the crest of the Sierra Nevada of California for , in the Inyo and Sierra National Forests. Established in 1964 by the Wilderness Act and named for naturalist John Muir, it encompas ...

. Onion Valley, one of the principal entry routes to the

John Muir Wilderness The John Muir Wilderness is a wilderness area that extends along the crest of the Sierra Nevada of California for , in the Inyo and Sierra National Forests. Established in 1964 by the Wilderness Act and named for naturalist John Muir, it encompa ...

, 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 The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), officially designated as the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, is a long-distance hiking and equestrian trail closely aligned with the highest portion of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, which lie ...

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 Forester Pass is a mountain pass in the Sierra Nevada. Located on the Kings-Kern Divide and on the boundary between Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park, Forester Pass connects the drainages of Bubbs Creek (a tributary of the ...

, 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 t ...

, 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 The desert climate or arid climate (in the Köppen climate classification ''BWh'' and ''BWk''), is a dry climate sub-type in which there is a severe excess of evaporation over precipitation. The typically bald, rocky, or sandy surfaces in desert ...

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 The Inyo County Courthouse, on N. Edwards St. in Independence, California, was designed by architect William H. Weeks in Classical Revival style, and was built in 1922. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places The National R ...

, 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 (two miles north of the current town) established by Lieutenant Colonel George S. Evans 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. 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 eart ...

.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 (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, the author of '' The Land of Little Rain'', 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 servi ...

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, 98 (14.6%) Native Americans, 8 (1.2%) Asians, 1 (0.1%)

Pacific Islanders Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/ racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subregions of Oce ...

, 28 (4.2%) from

other races Other often refers to: * Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy Other or The Other may also refer to: Film and television * ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack * ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...

, and 35 (5.2%) from two or more races.

Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, 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 viceroyalties forme ...

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. Ideal ...

(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, 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