| Independence | |
|---|---|
| — census-designated place — | |
| Independence town sign | |
| Location in Inyo County and the state of California | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Inyo |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 4.870 sq mi (12.612 km2) |
| • Land | 4.867 sq mi (12.605 km2) |
| • Water | 0.003 sq mi (0.007 km2) 0.057% |
| Elevation[2] | 3,930 ft (1,198 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 669 |
| • Density | 137.4/sq mi (53/km2) |
| Time zone | Pacific (PST) (UTC-8) |
| • Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP code | 93526 |
| Area code(s) | 760 |
| FIPS code | 06-36350 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1658811 |
Independence is the county seat of Inyo County, California. Independence is located 41 miles (66 km) south-southeast of Bishop,[3] 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.
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The tiny village of Independence is bisected by U.S. Route 395, the main north-south highway through the Owens Valley.
Many travelers, especially international travelers, often tour the western United States on an itinerary which includes Las Vegas, Death Valley National Park, The Owens Valley, Mount Whitney and Yosemite National Park. U.S. 395 is an important part of this oft traveled route. Independence lies along U.S. 395 at the foot of the most spectacular part of the Sierra Nevada roughly half way between Death Valley and Yosemite.
The City of Los Angeles, under the direction of William Mulholland, purchased most of the private property in the Owens Valley during the first two decades of the 20th century and has restricted development ever since. The property was purchased to obtain the water rights that went with it, and the pure, crystal clean waters that flow down from the melting snows of the Sierra are diverted into an aqueduct that carries the water to Los Angeles. Because the City wants to maintain the pristine environment from which it gets its water the vast open areas of the valley floor of the Owens Valley are undeveloped and preserved much like they would be if they were managed as a National Park or game reserve.
The Owens Valley is special in many ways. It is the deepest valley in North America, with 14,000 foot peaks on either side. For example, it is about twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The eastern escarpment of the Sierra Nevada is widely acknowledged as one of the most impressive and beautiful mountain ranges on Earth. And the Owens Valley is probably the least despoiled or developed of any such spectacularly scenic valley in the world.
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 point along the entire trail, 13,153 foot (4009 m) Forester Pass, is directly west of Independence.
To the east the Owens valley is bounded by the Inyo Mountains in the south and the White Mountains to the north. White Mountain Peak, 14,245 feet in elevation, is the third highest peak in California and the highest mountain contained completely within the Great Basin. The lands east of the Inyo/White mountains crest are protected within Death Valley National Park, the largest U.S. National Park outside of Alaska.
An interesting feature of the Inyo Mountains is the Winnedumah-Paiute Monument, a natural granite obelisk which rises prominently from the ridge of the Inyo crest directly east of Independence. The Paiute word "Winnedumah" means something like "I will move from this place no more forever." The legend of Winnedumah relates the story of two brothers who are in a battle against the Shoshone tribe whose lands begin at the ridge of the Inyo Mountains and stretch eastward across the Death Valley country. One of the brothers was felled by the Shoshone and the other was so saddened by the death of his brother he vowed to never move from the spot of the tragedy and he became the granite monolith that rises so prominently from the ridge above 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 desert climate with hot summers and cold winters. January temperatures range from an average high of 54.0°F to an average low of 27.4°F. July temperatures range from an average high of 97.6°F to an average low of 63.9F°. The highest recorded temperature was 114 °F (46 °C) on July 7, 1989. The lowest recorded temperature was −5 °F (−21 °C) on January 9, 1937. There are an average of 97.7 days annually with highs of 90F° (32°C) or higher and an average of 88.1 days with lows of 32°F (0°C) or lower. Annual precipitation averages only 5.82 inches. The most precipitation in one month was 23.90 inches in February 1904. The most precipitation in 24 hours was 5.72 inches on December 6, 1966. Snowfall varies greatly from year to year, averaging only 5.2 inches. The most snow in one month was 112.0 inches in February 1904.[4]
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]
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. Col. Evans established the camp at the request of local settlers who feared Indian hostilities. 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 Native Americans.[5]
Independence became the seat of Inyo County in the 1866 when its chief competitor for the site, a mining camp called Kearsarge, disappeared under an avalanche.[6]
The first post office at Independence was established in 1866.[3]
The Eastern California Museum; with extensive collections, exhibits, and programs; is located at 155 North Grant Street in Independence.[7][8]
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 2010 United States Census[9] reported that Independence had a population of 669. The population density was 137.4 people per square mile (53.0/km²). The racial makeup of Independence was 493 (73.7%) White, 6 (0.9%) African American, 98 (14.6%) Native American, 8 (1.2%) Asian, 1 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 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 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.
As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 574 people, 272 households, and 161 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 143.6 people per square mile (55.4/km²). There were 342 housing units at an average density of 85.6 per square mile (33.0/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.9% White, 3.5% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.9% Pacific Islander, 3.3% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. 7.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 272 households out of which 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.72.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $45,781. Males had a median income of $41,736 versus $29,688 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $20,535. About 4.2% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.
In the state legislature Independence is located in the 18th Senate District, represented by Republican Jean Fuller, and in the 34th Assembly District, represented by Republican Connie Conway. Federally, Independence is located in California's 25th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +7[11] and is represented by Republican Buck McKeon.
Independence was the film location for the film Trial and Error starring Michael Richards and Jeff Daniels. It was also the shooting location for a brief scene of Gone in 60 Seconds. Independence also appeared in Daft Punk's Electroma.
The popular series of scenic interpretive DVDs which feature 360 degree panoramic photography which are offered for sale at National Parks and visitor centers throughout the Southwestern United States are published in Independence by Inyo Pro. They feature the scenic photography of Paul Fretheim, a world recognized innovator in the use of virtual reality photography in interpretive products.
There is also a 1996 Pepsi commercial filmed in Independence, CA, in which five young adult grizzly bears "cry out for their most primal urgent need" and do the "P-E-P-S-I" dance to the tune of YMCA.
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