Tag: Inyo County

Inyo County, nestled in the eastern Sierra Nevada region of California, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and rugged landscapes. It spans a diverse terrain, from the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada to the expansive Owens Valley and the starkly beautiful desert landscapes of the Mojave Desert. Home to iconic landmarks like Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States, and Death Valley National Park, the lowest point in North America, Inyo County offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, including hiking, rock climbing, and exploring ancient bristlecone pine forests. The county seat, Independence, reflects its rich history tied to the California Gold Rush and the pioneering spirit of the American West.  The area remains a haven for those seeking solitude and adventure amidst its breathtaking natural wonders.

Mortimer William Belshaw

Posted on by
Mortimer Belshaw (1830 - 1899 )
Mortimer Belshaw (1830 – 1899 )

Mortimer William Belshaw, often remembered for his significant contributions to the mining industry in the American West, was born on November 30, 1833, in New York City. His early life was marked by a keen interest in geology and engineering, which would later shape his career and legacy.

Belshaw moved to California during the Gold Rush era in search of fortune and adventure. His arrival in California coincided with a period of intense economic and industrial development, particularly in mining. Belshaw’s technical skills and innovative mindset quickly distinguished him from many of his contemporaries. He initially worked in various mining operations, gaining valuable experience and knowledge about the industry.

In the early 1860s, Belshaw became involved with the Cerro Gordo Mines in the Inyo Mountains of California. This venture would become his most notable achievement. Recognizing the potential of the rich silver and lead deposits in the area, Belshaw partnered with other investors to develop the mines. His engineering expertise was crucial in overcoming the significant logistical challenges posed by the remote and rugged location of the mines.

Belshaw’s most famous contribution to the Cerro Gordo Mines was the construction of an innovative transportation system known as the Belshaw Tramway. This aerial tramway, one of the earliest of its kind, was designed to transport ore from the mines to the smelters more efficiently than traditional methods. The tramway significantly boosted the productivity of the Cerro Gordo Mines, leading to a period of substantial economic success for Belshaw and his partners.

Under Belshaw’s management, the Cerro Gordo Mines became one of the most productive mining operations in California during the late 19th century. The wealth generated from the mines contributed to the growth and development of the surrounding region, including the establishment of the town of Cerro Gordo, which became a bustling mining community.

Beyond his technical achievements, Belshaw was known for his fair treatment of workers and his efforts to improve working conditions in the mines. He believed in the importance of safety and welfare for his employees, which was relatively progressive for the time. This approach not only garnered loyalty from his workforce but also set a precedent for more humane labor practices in the mining industry.

Belshaw’s success at Cerro Gordo allowed him to invest in other mining ventures and businesses, further cementing his status as a prominent figure in the mining industry. Despite facing various challenges, including fluctuating metal prices and occasional legal disputes, Belshaw’s entrepreneurial spirit and resilience ensured his continued influence in the field.

Mortimer Belshaw passed away on January 19, 1905, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and progress in the mining industry. His contributions to mining engineering and his commitment to improving labor conditions remain influential, highlighting his role as a pioneer in the development of modern mining practices.

Cerro Gordo (Images of America)

Posted on by
Cerro Gordo (Images of America) written by Cecile Page Vargo, Roger W. Vargo
Cerro Gordo (Images of America) written by Cecile Page Vargo, Roger W. Vargo

High in the Inyo Mountains, between Owens Valley and Death Valley National Park, lies the ghost town of Cerro Gordo. Discovered in 1865, this silver town boomed to a population of 3,000 people in the hands of savvy entrepreneurs during the 1870s. As the silver played out and the town faded, a few hung on to the dream. By the early 1900s, Louis D. Gordon wandered up the Yellow Grade Road where freight wagons once traversed with silver and supplies and took a closer look at the zinc ore that had been tossed aside by early miners. The Fat Hill lived again, primarily as a small company town. By the last quarter of the 20th century, Jody Stewart and Mike Patterson found themselves owners of the rough and tumble camp that helped Los Angeles turn into a thriving metropolis because of silver and commercial trade. Cerro Gordo found new life, second to Bodie, as California’s best-preserved ghost town.

About the Author

Roger W. Vargo and Cecile Page Vargo are a husband-wife historian team who photograph, write about, and guide tours to historic areas. They have volunteered and worked in both Bodie and Cerro Gordo. Histories and images have been collected from public, personal, and private archives.

Book Summary

TitleCerro Gordo (Images of America)
AuthorCecile Page Vargo, Roger W. Vargo
PublisherArcadia Publishing
Pages130 Pages

Farewell to Manzanar

Posted on by
Farewell to Manzanar, by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston
Farewell to Manzanar, by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston

In Farewell to Manzanar, Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston recalls her childhood at a Japanese incarceration camp in this engrossing memoir that has become a staple of curriculum in schools and on campuses across the country. This special 50th-anniversary edition features a new cover, a foreword by New York Times bestselling and acclaimed author Traci Chee, and photographs of life at the camp by Toyo Miyatake.

During World War II the incarceration camp called Manzanar was hastily created in the high mountain desert country of California, east of the Sierras. Its purpose? To house thousands of Japanese Americans.

In Farewell to Manzanar, Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston recalls life at Manzanar through the eyes of the child she was and the experiences of her family. She relays the mundane and remarkable details of daily life during an extraordinary period of American history: The wartime imprisonment of civilians, most native-born Americans, in their own country, without trial, and by their fellow Americans.

She tells of her fear, confusion, and bewilderment as well as the dignity and resourcefulness of people in oppressive and demeaning circumstances. Jeanne delivers a powerful first-person account that reveals her search for the meaning of Manzanar.

Book Summary

TitleFarewell to Manzana
AuthorJeanne Wakatsuki Houston,
James D. Houston
PublisherClarion Books; Reprint edition (December 12, 2023)
Pages224 Pages

Manzanar (Images of America)

Posted on by
Manzanar (Images of America) by Jane Wehrey
Manzanar (Images of America) by Jane Wehrey

Through a collection of vintage photographs, the Images of America series allows readers to explore the history that makes each city, town, or state unique.

East of the rugged Sierra Nevada in California’s Owens Valley lies Manzanar. Founded in 1910 as a fruit-growing colony, it was named in Spanish for the fragrant apple orchards that once filled its spectacularly scenic landscape. Owens Valley Paiute lived there first, followed by white homesteaders and ranchers. But with the onset of World War II came a new identity as the first of 10 “relocation centers” hastily built in 1942 to house 110,000 people of Japanese ancestry, two-thirds of them American citizens, removed from the West Coast. In the face of upheaval and loss, Manzanar’s 10,000 confined residents created parks, gardens, and a functioning wartime community within the camp’s barbed-wire-enclosed square mile of flimsy barracks.
Today Manzanar National Historic Site commemorates this and all of Manzanar’s unique communities.

About the Author

Author Jane Wehrey, a historian and Owens Valley native, also wrote Voices From This Long Brown Land: Oral Recollections of Owens Valley Lives and Manzanar Pasts and has been a consultant, park ranger, and exhibit writer at Manzanar National Historic Site. For this pictorial odyssey through Manzanar’s past, she compiled images from private and museum archives and from an extraordinary wartime record that includes photographs by Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange, and former Manzanar internee Toyo Miyatake.

Book Summary

TitleManzanar (Images of America)
AuthorJane Wehrey
PublisherArcadia Publishing
Pages128 Pages

Four Jeffrey Campground – Inyo National Forest

Posted on by
Inyo National Forest Campground
Inyo National Forest Campground

Four Jeffrey Campground (often called “4 Jeffrey”) is a popular, large developed campground in Inyo National Forest near Bishop, California. It sits along the South Fork of Bishop Creek in a scenic valley between Grouse Mountain and Table Mountain at approximately 8,100–8,300 feet elevation.

The campground offers a mix of shaded sites (under aspens, Jeffrey pines, and other trees) and more open areas, with many sites providing beautiful views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada peaks. It feels relatively secluded despite its size due to the stepped layout and vegetation. The South Fork Bishop Creek runs nearby or through parts of the area, creating a peaceful, creekside atmosphere ideal for relaxing, fishing, and enjoying nature.

It typically operates from late April through mid-to-late October (weather and snow permitting), with some sites reservable and others first-come, first-served. It’s about a 15–25 minute drive west from Bishop via Highway 168 and South Lake Road.

Amenities

Four Jeffrey offers solid facilities for a USFS campground:

  • Campsites: 106 single-family sites (including a few tent-only). Most accommodate tents, RVs, and trailers up to about 40 feet. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and bear-proof food storage locker.
  • Restrooms: Accessible flush toilets (well-maintained and cleaned regularly).
  • Water: Potable drinking water available at spigots.
  • Dump Station: Available (free for campers; fee for non-campers).
  • Other: Fish cleaning station, no showers, no electrical hookups, no sewer connections at sites. Firewood may be available for purchase or gathering (check current rules).
  • Accessibility: Some accessible sites and facilities.

Fees are typically around $34–$35 per night (discounts often available with America the Beautiful passes). Reservations are recommended for peak summer months via Recreation.gov.

Activities

The area is a hub for outdoor recreation in the Eastern Sierra:

  • Fishing — Excellent trout fishing in the stocked South Fork of Bishop Creek (rainbow, brown, brook, and others). A fish cleaning station is on-site.
  • Hiking & Backpacking — Direct access to trails into the John Muir Wilderness. Popular nearby destinations include South Lake, Long Lake, and other alpine lakes with stunning scenery, waterfalls, and potential glacier views. The Bishop Pass Trailhead is close.
  • Swimming — Cooling off in the creek (where safe and allowed).
  • Boating — Non-motorized or slow-speed boating on nearby lakes like South Lake.
  • Horseback Riding — Nearby outfitters (e.g., Rainbow Pack Outfitters) offer trail rides and pack trips.
  • Wildlife Viewing & Photography — Scenic mountain views, fall aspen colors, stargazing (dark skies), and nature observation.
  • Other — Picnicking, relaxing by the creek, and day trips to Lake Sabrina or other Bishop Creek Canyon spots.

Wildlife in the Area

The Eastern Sierra and Inyo National Forest around Bishop Creek Canyon host diverse wildlife. Common or possible sightings include:

  • Mammals: Mule deer (very common), black bears (food storage is required), coyotes, marmots, jackrabbits, occasional bobcats or mountain lions, and bighorn sheep (Sierra Nevada subspecies in higher rocky areas).
  • Birds: Various songbirds, raptors (e.g., golden eagles), waterfowl near lakes/creeks, and grouse.
  • Other: Beavers (and their dams/chewed trees along Bishop Creek), amphibians like frogs/toads in wet areas, and trout in the creek.

Note: Always practice bear safety, store food properly, and maintain distance from wildlife. The area is also home to pinyon-juniper, aspen groves, and wildflowers in season.

Four Jeffrey is praised for its convenience to Bishop (for supplies), stunning high-elevation scenery, and access to world-class hiking and fishing while still feeling immersive in nature. It’s a favorite for families, RVers, anglers, and hikers exploring the Bishop Creek Canyon area. For current conditions, availability, or fire restrictions, check Recreation.gov or the Inyo National Forest website.