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Independence, California

Coordinates: 36°49′39″N 118°12′48″W / 36.82750°N 118.21333°W / 36.82750; -118.21333
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the unincorporated community, see Independence, Calaveras County, California. For the campaign for California's independence, see Yes California. For ghost town and railroad stop in Inyo County formerly named Independence, see Kearsarge, California.

Independence
Unincorporated Community
Census Designated Place
Inyo County Courthouse
Inyo County Courthouse
Location in Inyo County and the state of California
Location in Inyo County and the state of California
Independence is located in the United States
Independence
Independence
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 36°49′39″N 118°12′48″W / 36.82750°N 118.21333°W / 36.82750; -118.21333
Country United States
State California
CountyInyo
Area
[1]
 • Total
4.870 sq mi (12.612 km2)
 • Land4.867 sq mi (12.605 km2)
 • Water0.003 sq mi (0.007 km2)  0.057%
Elevation
[2]
3,904 ft (1,190 m)
Population
 (2020)[3]
 • Total
593
 • Density120/sq mi (47/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP Code
93526
Area codes442/760
FIPS code06-36350
GNIS feature ID2408418[2]

Independence is an unincorporated, census-designated place and the county seat of Inyo County, California. Independence is located 41 miles (66 km) south-southeast of Bishop,[4] at an elevation of 3930 feet (1198 m).[2] The population of this census-designated place was 669 at the 2010 census, up from 574 at the 2000 census.

Geography

[edit]
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.

Climate

[edit]

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.[5] 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.

Climate data for Independence, CA
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 80
(27) 		86
(30) 		99
(37) 		102
(39) 		105
(41) 		115
(46) 		114
(46) 		110
(43) 		108
(42) 		99
(37) 		93
(34) 		77
(25) 		115
(46)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 54.3
(12.4) 		58.2
(14.6) 		65.6
(18.7) 		73.0
(22.8) 		82.0
(27.8) 		91.4
(33.0) 		97.9
(36.6) 		96.0
(35.6) 		88.7
(31.5) 		76.9
(24.9) 		64.0
(17.8) 		54.3
(12.4) 		75.2
(24.0)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 27.5
(−2.5) 		31.3
(−0.4) 		36.4
(2.4) 		42.5
(5.8) 		50.8
(10.4) 		58.7
(14.8) 		64.1
(17.8) 		62.0
(16.7) 		55.1
(12.8) 		45.0
(7.2) 		34.2
(1.2) 		28.1
(−2.2) 		44.6
(7.0)
Record low °F (°C) −5
(−21) 		2
(−17) 		14
(−10) 		21
(−6) 		27
(−3) 		32
(0) 		43
(6) 		44
(7) 		33
(1) 		22
(−6) 		11
(−12) 		−2
(−19) 		−5
(−21)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.01
(26) 		1.01
(26) 		0.44
(11) 		0.24
(6.1) 		0.16
(4.1) 		0.11
(2.8) 		0.13
(3.3) 		0.13
(3.3) 		0.18
(4.6) 		0.26
(6.6) 		0.56
(14) 		1.00
(25) 		5.23
(132.8)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 1.4
(3.6) 		0.5
(1.3) 		0.1
(0.25) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		1.1
(2.8) 		3.1
(7.95)
Source: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca4232

History

[edit]
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.[4] It became known as Putnam's, and later Little Pine from the Little Pine Creek.[4] The site of Putnam's Cabin, across the street from the Inyo County Courthouse, is a California Historical Landmark # 223.[6][7]

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.[8]

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.[9]

The first post office at Independence was established in 1866.[4]

United States Army General John K. Singlaub (1921 – 2022) was born in Independence.[10]

Museums

[edit]

The Eastern California Museum with extensive collections, exhibits, and programs; is located at 155 North Grant Street in Independence.[11][12]

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

[edit]

The Inyo County Free Library is in the Inyo County Courthouse.[13]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
2020593—
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1860–1870[15][16] 1880-1890[17]
1900[18] 1910[19] 1920[20]
1930[21] 1940[22] 1950[23]
1960[24] 1970[25] 1980[26]
1990[27] 2000[28] 2010[29]

Independence first appeared as a census designated place in the 2000 U.S. Census.[28]

2020

[edit]
Independence, California Post Office

The 2020 United States census reported that Independence had a population of 593. The population density was 122.0 inhabitants per square mile (47.1/km2). The racial makeup of Independence was 395 (66.6%) White, 2 (0.3%) African American, 59 (9.9%) Native American, 4 (0.7%) Asian, 1 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 28 (4.7%) from other races, and 104 (17.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 85 persons (14.3%).[30]

The census reported that 94.6% of the population lived in households and 32 people (5.4%) were institutionalized.[30]

There were 284 households, out of which 64 (22.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 100 (35.2%) were married-couple households, 12 (4.2%) were cohabiting couple households, 76 (26.8%) had a female householder with no partner present, and 96 (33.8%) had a male householder with no partner present. 109 households (38.4%) were one person, and 56 (19.7%) were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 1.98.[30] There were 158 families (55.6% of all households).[31]

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 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.7 males.[30]

There were 373 housing units at an average density of 76.7 units per square mile (29.6 units/km2), of which 284 (76.1%) were occupied. Of these, 203 (71.5%) were owner-occupied, and 81 (28.5%) were occupied by renters.[30]

Politics

[edit]

[needs update] In the state legislature, Independence is in the 8th senatorial district, represented by Democrat Angelique Ashby,[32] and the 26th Assembly district, represented by Democrat Patrick Ahrens.[33]

Independence is in California's 3rd congressional district, represented by Republican Kevin Kiley.[34]

Media

[edit]

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.

KSRW-FM 92.5 broadcasts from Independence. Another radio station that use to broadcast from Independence was KINC/KNYO/KESR on 600 AM.[35]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2010 Census U.S. Gazetteer Files – Places – California". United States Census Bureau.
  2. ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Independence, California
  3. ^ "US Census Bureau". www.census.gov. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, California: Word Dancer Press. p. 1172. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
  5. ^ "INDEPENDENCE, CALIFORNIA - Climate Summary". wrcc.dri.edu. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  6. ^ californiahistoricallandmarks.com Landmarks chl-223
  7. ^ California Parks, Putnam's Cabin
  8. ^ "Camp Independence Marker". Historical Marker Database. California Historical Marker No. 349. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
  9. ^ Inyo County Supervisor Jim Bilyeu quoted in The Los Angeles Times 15 July 2007
  10. ^ The Hall of Valor Project-John Kirk Singlaub
  11. ^ The Eastern California Museum website Archived 2011-07-18 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 6/20/2010
  12. ^ Independence, CA, Places of Interest, The Eastern California Museum Archived 2009-11-23 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 6/20/2010
  13. ^ Inyo County Free Library
  14. ^ "Decennial Census by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ^ "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  16. ^ "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  17. ^ "1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  18. ^ "1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  19. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  20. ^ "1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  21. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  22. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  23. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  24. ^ "1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  25. ^ "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  26. ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  27. ^ "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  28. ^ a b "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  29. ^ "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  30. ^ a b c d e "Independence CDP, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  31. ^ "Independence CDP, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  32. ^ "Senators". State of California. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  33. ^ "Members Assembly". State of California. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  34. ^ "California's 8th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  35. ^ "Site of the Week 1/13/12: Bishop, California". fybush.com. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
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