Independence, California

Independence is an unincorporated census-designated place in and the county seat of Inyo County, California. Independence is located south-southeast of Bishop, at an elevation of 3930 feet (1198 m). The lowest recorded temperature was on January 9, 1937. There are an average of 97.7 afternoons annually with highs of or higher and an average of 88.1 mornings with lows of or less. Annual precipitation averages only . The most precipitation in one month was in January 1969. The most precipitation in 24 hours was on December 6, 1966. Snowfall varies greatly from year to year, averaging only .

History

thumb|left|alt=photo of Inyo County Court House|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.

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.

The first post office at Independence was established in 1866.

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

Independence first appeared as a census-designated place in the 2000 U.S. census.

The census reported that 94.6% of the population lived in households and 32 people (5.4%) were institutionalized.

The age distribution was 96 people (16.2%) under the age of 18, 44 people (7.4%) aged 18 to 24, 103 people (17.4%) aged 25 to 44, 188 people (31.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 162 people (27.3%) who were 65years of age or older. The median age was 54.0years. For every 100 females, there were 101.7 males. and .

Independence is in .

Media

Film

The film set for Burt and Heather's house played by Michael Gross and Reba McEntire, in the 1990 movie, Tremors, directed by Ron Underwood, was built and filmed in the hills above Independence.

In the 1997 comedy film Trial and Error starring Michael Richards, Jeff Daniels, and Charlize Theron, Independence stood in as the fictional town of Paradise Bluff, Nevada. The film is centered around the Inyo County Courthouse. According to film historian Charles Morfin, "the Pines Café, one of the oldest buildings in Independence, is observed in various scenes. It was used as a hotel bar, a café and as a hotel lobby." The avant-garde film centers around two robots on a road trip throughout the American west; scenes shot in Independence involve the main characters being given wax faces by mysterious figures. Scenes from that particular part of the movie were later re-used in the band's 2026 music video for their song "Human After All".

Radio

KSRW-FM 92.5 broadcasts from Independence. Another radio station that use to broadcast from Independence was KINC/KNYO/KESR on 600 AM.

Education

It is in the Owens Valley Unified School District for grades PK-12.

References

External links

Official Eastern California Museum website
Attractions in and near Independence
Annual Community Events in Independence