Bishop in Inyo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Old Inyo County Jailhouse

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. The Old Inyo County Jailhouse Marker

Inscription. The early days of Inyo County presented many challenges to the original settlers, particularly for peacekeepers. The first sheriff, W.A. Greenly, served only one year. Many officials served only one or two years before resigning. Territorial and mining claims were often disputed. There are many reports of shootings, robberies, and drunken brawls in the townships. Many crimes went unreported because of the great distance the sheriff had to travel. From 1866 to as recently as the mid-1950's, the sheriff deputized local civic-minded citizens. Training was non-existent, or on the job. Almost all of these deputies were farmers, ranchers, business owners and... miners. They were the sheepdogs of their communities, and responded when called upon without hesitation. In 1870, John B Clarke donated land on which the building you see was constructed. The building was enlarged as the population increased. It housed the Justice court, City Police, Inyo County Sheriff, Tax Collector and jail cells. The old jail cell windows are still intact on the north side of the building. The original brickwork and additions can be see on the south

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Erected 2019 by Slim Princess Chapter #395 E Clampus Vitus, and Inyo County Sheriffs Office.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list.

Location. 37° 21.586′ N, 118° 23.726′ W. Marker is in Bishop, California, in Inyo County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street (U.S. 395) and Lagoon Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 307 S Main St, Bishop CA 93514, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Horace Marden Albright (about

Old Jailhouse Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

2. Old Jailhouse Building and Marker

700 feet away, measured in a direct line); First United Methodist Church of Bishop (approx. ¼ mile away); The Ernest Kinney Teamster Family Mural (approx. ¼ mile away); The Kittie Lee Inn (approx. 0.3 miles away); Whiskey Creek History (approx. 0.3 miles away); Slim Princess (approx. 0.3 miles away); "Atlas Copco Mucker" (approx. half a mile away); The Fortune Seekers (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bishop.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Dangerous Arrest (was about 800 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2022. This page has been viewed 918 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 28, 2022. 2. submitted on October 15, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.