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

Hydroelectric Power From Bishop Creek

Hydroelectric Power Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Patrick Duggan

1. Hydroelectric Power Marker

Inscription.
Between 1905 and 1913, the Nevada-California Power Company, a predecessor of the Southern California Edison Company, built a chain of five hydroelectric power plants along Bishop Creek. Water flowed from one power plant to the next through 60-inch diameter redwood-stave pipe called “flowlines”. Redwood was used because of its rot-resistant qualities and the flowlines usually lasted between 30 and 40 years before replacement was necessary. After the late 1950’s, most replacements have been with steel pipe. This section came from the Bishop Plant 5 redwood flowline which was replaced by steel in 1993 by Southern California Edison and is displayed here to show the technique of wooden pipe technology that was widely used in western mining and power developments in the nineteenth century.

Erected by Southern California Edison Company.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 36° 48.119′ N, 118° 12.237′ W. Marker is in Independence, California, in Inyo County. It can be reached from the

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intersection of Grant Street and Center Street. Located at the Eastern California Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 155 N Grant Street, Independence CA 93526, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mining in Inyo County (within shouting distance of this marker); Engine #18 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mary Austin’s Home (about 600 feet away); Edwards House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Putnam’s Stone Cabin (approx. ¼ mile away); Inyo County Courthouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Historic Independence (approx. 0.3 miles away); Camp Independence (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Independence.

Redwood Pipe image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Patrick Duggan

2. Redwood Pipe

Water Wheel and Generator image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 28, 2023

3. Water Wheel and Generator

Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2024, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California. This page has been viewed 542 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2024, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California. 3. submitted on April 29, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.