Camp Independence, later known as Fort Independence, was a significant U.S. Army post in the Owens Valley, Inyo County, California, active from 1862 to 1877. Established during the Owens Valley Indian War, it played a crucial role in the region’s settlement and interactions between settlers, Native Americans, and the military. This report examines the establishment, operations, key events, and legacy of Camp Independence, drawing on historical records and accounts.
Establishment and Early Years (1862–1864)
Camp Independence was founded on July 4, 1862, by Lieutenant Colonel George S. Evans of the 2nd California Volunteer Cavalry, at the request of settlers fearing hostilities from local Paiute and Shoshone tribes. Located on Oak Creek, approximately three miles north of present-day Independence, the camp was named in honor of Independence Day. The initial setup was rudimentary, with soldiers living in tents and caves along a nearby ravine due to limited resources. A 50-foot flagpole was erected, and a salute was fired to mark the occasion, though a cloudburst dampened the ceremony.
The camp’s primary purpose was to protect miners and settlers from perceived threats by Native Americans, who were defending their lands against encroachment. Early conditions were harsh, and in September 1862, during Evans’ temporary absence, some troops attempted to abandon the post in a near-mutinous state, only to be intercepted and returned. By late 1862, the camp began to stabilize, with the construction of basic buildings. Hostilities with the Owens Valley Paiute temporarily ceased by December 1864, leading to the camp’s brief abandonment.
Reoccupation and Fort Independence (1865–1877)
Renewed conflicts with the Paiute in early 1865 prompted the reoccupation of the camp by Nevada Volunteers in March, and it was officially designated Fort Independence. The post became a more permanent fixture, with improved infrastructure despite setbacks like the 1872 Owens Valley earthquake, which destroyed many original adobe buildings. By 1875, the fort was described as a healthy post with light duties, pure air, and excellent food, reflecting improved conditions.
A significant and controversial event occurred on July 10, 1863, under Captain Moses A. McLaughlin’s command. Over 1,000 Native Americans were gathered at the camp’s parade ground, where McLaughlin announced their forced removal to Fort Tejon, 200 miles southwest. The operation was executed with troops strategically positioned to prevent resistance, highlighting the coercive tactics used against the Paiute. This event remains a dark chapter in the region’s history, remembered with bitterness by Native American communities.
Military operations continued, including patrols to counter Native resistance. In 1867, First Sergeant F. R. Neale led a 250-mile patrol through a snowstorm, engaging Paiute forces and killing or wounding several. By the late 1860s, a “perfect understanding” was reported between the military and remaining Native groups, though tensions persisted.
Closure and Aftermath (1877–Present)
Fort Independence was abandoned on July 5, 1877, as the need for a military presence diminished. The military reservation was transferred to the Interior Department on July 22, 1884. On November 3, 1883, the fort’s buildings were sold at auction for less than $3,000, despite their original cost of over $50,000. Notable structures, such as the hospital (purchased for $290) and the commander’s quarters ($345), were relocated to Independence and repurposed as residences or historical landmarks.
The land formerly occupied by the fort became part of the Fort Independence Reservation, established in 1915 and 1916 through executive orders, providing 360 acres for the Paiute and Shoshone communities. Today, the reservation is home to approximately 140 members of the Fort Independence Indian Community of Paiute Indians. Little remains of the original camp, but a historical marker on Highway 395, dedicated in 1981 by the Slim Princess Chapter of E Clampus Vitus, commemorates its significance.
The camp’s cemetery, initially reserved for soldiers, also served civilians. After the fort’s closure, soldiers’ graves were relocated to the Presidio in San Francisco, while civilian graves remained. The cemetery, located on private property, is maintained sporadically, with reenactors visiting annually around July 4.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Camp Independence facilitated early white settlement in the Owens Valley by providing security for miners and homesteaders, enabling the growth of communities like Independence, which became the Inyo County seat in 1866. However, its establishment and operations came at a significant cost to the Native Paiute and Shoshone, whose displacement and loss of land reshaped the region’s demographic and cultural landscape.
The Eastern California Museum in Independence preserves artifacts, photographs, and records related to the camp, offering insights into its history. Dorothy Clora Cragen’s book, The Boys in the Sky-Blue Pants, provides a detailed account of the camp’s role in Owens Valley history and is recommended for further reading. The museum holds copies of this out-of-print work.
Conclusion
Camp Independence was a pivotal institution in the Owens Valley, reflecting the complex interplay of military, settler, and Native American histories in 19th-century California. While it enabled the region’s development, it also contributed to the marginalization of indigenous peoples. Its legacy endures through the Fort Independence Reservation, historical landmarks, and ongoing efforts to document and understand its impact.
Sources
- Historical Marker Database (hmdb.org)
- Sierra Nevada Geotourism
- Owens Valley History (timenspace.net)
- California Military Museum (militarymuseum.org)
- California State Parks (ohp.parks.ca.gov)
- NoeHill in California (noehill.com)
- MojaveDesert.net
- FortWiki