20-826: The Eastern California Museum is a history and heritage museum in Independence, California . It was founded in 1928 and showcases the history of the region of Eastern California . It is operated by Inyo County . Due to the rapid development in Owens Valley in the early 20th century, many people realized that much of the area's history could be lost unless preserved. In early 1928, a group of young men consisting of Ralph Bell, Frank Parcher, Charles Forbes, and William Sanford were interested in Native American culture, locating and photographing petroglyphs and also collecting artifacts. Parcher's mother, W.C., came up with
40-762: A second one in the 1950s. The museum's current building was dedicated in 1968 to G. Walter and Maude Dow for their donations to the museum that allowed the structure to be constructed. Also starting in 1968, it went under the operation of Inyo County. The renaming of the Eastern California Museum Association to the Eastern California Historical Society and the formation of the Friends of the Eastern California Museum both occurred in
60-810: Is directly west of Independence. According to the United States Census Bureau , Independence covers an area of 4.9 square miles (13 km ), 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
80-616: Is in the Inyo County Courthouse. The 2010 United States Census reported that Independence had a population of 669. The population density was 137.4 inhabitants per square mile (53.1/km ). 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
100-786: The 1980s. In 2019, a tusk most likely coming from a species in the genus Mammuthus was loaned to the museum by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power . The tusk was found in 2015 but had to be stabilized by the Environmental Science Associates before it was ready for display. The museum contains one of the most extensive collections of Owens Valley Paiute and Timbisha baskets in California, with over 400 and 100 other related artifacts. It also has hundreds of photographs donated by former interments of Manzanar depicting everyday life in
120-563: The Commander's House, which was built from recycled lumber from the remains of Fort Independence in the late 1880s. Independence, California Independence is a census-designated place in Inyo County, California . Independence is located 41 miles (66 km) south-southeast of Bishop , at an elevation of 3930 feet (1198 m). It is the county seat of Inyo County, California. The population of this census-designated place
140-620: 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 ,
160-569: The camp. Over 70 were taken by noted photographer Tōyō Miyatake . The locomotive Southern Pacific 18 is housed at the museum. There are also mining wagons from Eastern California's mining era, construction and mining equipment, and an exhibit detailing the California water wars . The museum has over 27,000 historic photographs of the Eastern California area in its collection, with many of them on display. Most of them were taken from
180-544: The idea to have a museum to exhibit the collections the four men had gathered. Thus, the Eastern California Museum Association was born, with W.C. as the first president. It was formally organized on May 5th, 1928 at the Inyo County Library's Bishop Branch. The association was granted a room in the basement of the Inyo County Courthouse for the storage of its exhibits in 1929 and obtained
200-709: The late 1800s to the 1950s. The exterior of the museum also has a native plant garden, named after Mary DeDecker , a botanist who worked mainly in Eastern California. It is a collaboration with the Bristlecone Chapter of the California Native Plant Society , which DeDecker founded. The museum manages two historic houses in Independence: the Edwards House, which was built by the town planner, Thomas Edwards, in 1861, and
220-625: 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
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#1732779819674240-569: 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 , and the 26th Assembly District , represented by Democrat Evan Low . Independence is in California's 3rd congressional district , represented by Republican Kevin Kiley . The film set for Burt and Heather's house played by Michael Gross and Reba McEntire, in
260-488: The street from the Inyo County Courthouse, is a California Historical Landmark # 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
280-526: 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. 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
300-453: Was 115 °F (46.1 °C) in June 2017. 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
320-419: 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/km ), 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
340-406: 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
360-723: Was 669 at the 2010 census, up from 574 at the 2000 census. 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
380-504: Was established in 1866. United States Army General John K. Singlaub (1921 – 2022) was born in Independence. 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. The Inyo County Free Library
400-508: 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 . The first post office at Independence
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