Convict Lake Marker

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Near Mammoth Lakes in Mono County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Convict Lake

By Karen Key, October 8, 2006

1. Convict Lake Marker

Inscription. Convict Lake and Creek are so named as the result of an encounter here September 17, 1871, between Robert Morrison, Benton Merchant and member of a posse of citizens, and three convicts who had escaped from the Carson City, Nevada, State Penitentiary. Morrison encountered the convicts on present Convict Creek, then known as Monte Diablo Creek. Morrison was killed and the convicts escaped. Other members of the posse captured the fugitives in Round Valley. They were taken to Bishop where two of the convicts were hanged. The third, a youth of 19, was returned to the Carson Prison. The Indians are said to have called Convict Lake Wit-Sa-Nap.

Dedicated September 21, 1974
Bodie Chapter, E Clampus Vitus
Mono County Board of Supervisors

Erected 1974 by Bodie Chapter, E Clampus Vitus and Mono County Board of Supervisors.

Marker series. This marker is included in the E Clampus Vitus marker series.

Location. 37° 35.687′ N, 118° 51.115′ W. Marker is near Mammoth Lakes, California, in Mono County. Marker is on Convict Lake Road west of U.S. 395, on the right when traveling west. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mammoth Lakes CA 93546, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

By Karen Key, October 8, 2006

2. Convict Lake Marker

within 8 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Tragedy at Convict Lake (within shouting distance of this marker); McGee Mountain Rope Tow #34 (approx. 3.3 miles away); Casa Diablo (approx. 4.7 miles away); Margaret & Emmett Hayden Cabin (approx. 6.7 miles away); Temple of Folly (approx. 6.7 miles away); Old French Trail (approx. 6.9 miles away); Old Mammoth Saloon (approx. 7 miles away); Historic Knight Wheel (approx. 7.2 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Mammoth Lakes.

Also see . . . What’s In A Name. The history behind the naming of Convict Lake. (Submitted on October 18, 2006.)

By Karen Key, October 8, 2006

3. Convict Lake

By Nina Sunseri, January 20, 2007

4. Convict Lake

Ice skaters (to the right) are enjoying a frozen Convict Lake.

Credits. This page originally submitted on October 18, 2006, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 18,724 times since then. Last updated on June 12, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page was the Marker of the Week July 22, 2007. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 18, 2006, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. 4. submitted on February 7, 2007, by Nina Sunseri of Ridgecrest, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.