Landmark #229 | Inyo County | Visited: Sept. 29, 2012 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
What is it? | Mary Austin’s cabin still stands, and it’s still a private residence! |
What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: Mary Austin, author of The Land of Little Rain and other volumes that picture the beauty of Owens Valley, lived in Independence. “But if ever you come beyond the borders as far as the town that lies in a hill dimple at the foot of Kearsarge, never leave it until you have knocked at the door of the brown house under the willow-tree at the end of the village street, and there you shall have such news of the land, of its trails and what is astir in them, as one lover of it can give to another . . .” excerpt from The Land of Little Rain.
OTHER TIDBITS: Mary Austin was also active in the women’s rights movement and an advocate for the preservation of Native American arts and culture! After separating from her husband in 1905, she traveled widely, first to Carmel, then to Italy, France, England and New York! She rubbed elbows with the likes of H.G. Wells, Walter Lippmann, and Mabel Dodge Luhan! Some of her other titles include The Arrow Maker, A Woman of Genius, The Children Sing in the Far West, Experiences Facing Death, and Earth Horizon! |
How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: 253 Market St Independence, CA 93526 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~232mi (374km) — 3.9hrs |
When should I go? | You can visit the plaque any time, but there are no tours of this private residence! |