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

Farley's Olancha Mill

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. Farley's Olancha Mill Marker

Inscription.
M.H. Farley, working for the Silver Mountain Mining Company in the Coso Mountains, conceived the idea in 1860 of building a processing mill on a creek flowing into Owens Lake. He explored and named Olancha Pass that year, and completed the first mill and furnace in the Owens River Valley by December of 1862. It was located on Olancha Creek about one mile west of this marker.

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 796.

Erected 1965 by California State Park Commission; and Southern Inyo Chamber of Commerce. (Marker Number 796.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 36° 16.495′ N, 118° 0.171′ W. Marker is in Olancha, California, in Inyo County. It is at the intersection of California Route 190 and Fall Road, on the left when traveling north on California Route 190. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 561 US-395, Olancha CA 93549, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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 3 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cartago Boat Landing (approx. 3.2 miles away); a different marker also named Cottonwood Charcoal Kilns (approx. 10 miles away); Highway History (approx. 14½ miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Cottonwood Charcoal Kilns (was approx. 9.7 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. Highway 395 has been re-routed around this location, and the old road is now an extension of Highway 190.

Photographed by Craig Baker

2. Farley's Olancha Mill Marker

The wall was built with stones from the mill.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 11, 2024

3. Farley's Olancha Mill Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 424 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 19, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on March 12, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.