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| Landmark #349 | Inyo County | Visited: Sept. 29, 2012 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A plaque on a boulder! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: At the request of settlers, Colonel George Evans led a military expedition to this site on July 4, 1862. Hence its name “Independence.” Indian hostilities ceased and the camp closed. War again broke out in 1865 and the camp was reoccupied as Fort Independence until its abandonment in 1877. This fort made possible the early settlements in the Owens Valley.
OTHER TIDBITS: After the Army moved into this camp, they diverted water to grow crops, which forced the local Paiute to live closer to the camp for their life needs! Many Paiute even started working for the settlers to survive! Nonetheless, Captain Moses McLaughlin, who was in charge in 1863, ordered all 1,000 Native Americans to leave their ancestral homeland and walk to Fort Tejon! By the time they reached the fort after 200 miles and 150 lives lost, they found the fort closed! Conditions weren’t ideal for the soldiers either, lacking in sufficient food, clothing, or pay, and many abandoned the camp! After the camp closed, the Army moved out, and the local tribes were allowed to return to this area, set aside as a reservation! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: 500 ft W of intersection of Miller Ln and Salvabell Ln 3 mi NE of Independence, CA 93526 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~233mi (375km) — 3.9hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |