Independence, California

Mount Williamson (14,375 feet or 4,382 metres), one of the spectacular peaks of the John Muir Wilderness, from near the Independence Airport

The small town of Independence is bisected by U.S. Route 395, the main north-south highway through the Owens Valley.

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.

This granite monolith, The Winnedumah-Paiute Monument, rises prominently from the crest of the Inyo Mountains east of Independence.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Independence covers an area of 4.9 square miles (13 km²), over 99% of it land.

The elevation of Independence is 3,925 feet (1,196 m) above sea level.

Independence, as well as most of the Owens Valley, has a high cool arid climate (Köppen BWk) with hot summers and cool winters. January temperatures range from an average high of 54.0 °F (12.2 °C) to an average low of 27.4 °F (−2.6 °C). July temperatures range from an average high of 97.6 °F (36.4 °C) to an average low of 63.9 °F (17.7 °C). The highest recorded temperature was 115 °F (46.1 °C) in June 2017.[4] The lowest recorded temperature was −5 °F (−20.6 °C) on January 9, 1937. There are an average of 97.7 afternoons annually with highs of 90 °F (32.2 °C) or higher and an average of 88.1 mornings with lows of 32 °F (0 °C) or less. Annual precipitation averages only 5.82 inches (148 mm). The most precipitation in one month was 10.71 inches (272.0 mm) in January 1969. The most precipitation in 24 hours was 5.27 inches (133.9 mm) on December 6, 1966. Snowfall varies greatly from year to year, averaging only 5.5 inches or 0.14 metres.

The Inyo County Courthouse (designed by W. H. Weeks, completed in 1921) in Independence

Charles Putnam founded a trading post at the site in 1861.[3] It became known as Putnam's, and later Little Pine from the Little Pine Creek.[3] The site of Putnam's Cabin, across the street from the Inyo County Courthouse, is a California Historical Landmark # 223.[5][6]

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.[7]

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.[8]

The first post office at Independence was established in 1866.[3]

United States Army General John K. Singlaub (1921 – 2022) was born in Independence.[9]

Independence, California Post Office

The 2010 United States Census[13] reported that Independence had a population of 669. The population density was 137.4 inhabitants per square mile (53.1/km²). The racial makeup of Independence was 493 (73.7%) Whites, 6 (0.9%) African Americans, 98 (14.6%) Native Americans, 8 (1.2%) Asians, 1 (0.1%) Pacific Islanders, 28 (4.2%) from other races, and 35 (5.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino 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 (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 79.9 per square mile (30.8/km²), 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.

In the state legislature, Independence is in the 8th Senate District, represented by Democrat Angelique Ashby,[14] and the 26th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Evan Low.[15]

Independence is in California's 3rd congressional district, represented by Republican Kevin Kiley.[16]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Independence, California.

• Big Pine volcanic field
• Carson and Colorado Railway
• Roadside Heritage - of the Eastern Sierra
• Owens Valley
• Manzanar
• Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Independence, California.

• Official Eastern California Museum website
• Friends of the Eastern California Museum website
• Attractions in and near Independence
• Annual Community Events in Independence