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

Laws

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 3, 2025

1. Laws Marker

Inscription.
In 1883 the Carson and Colorado Railway Co. completed the building of the narrow gauge line from Mound House Nevada to Laws, which was originally called Bishop Station. Laws was named in honor of R.J. Laws, assistant superintendent of the railroad. The Southern Pacific Co. took over the line in 1900 and the train through the valley was locally dubbed "The Slim Princess". The last train ran on April 30, 1960.

Erected 1972 by Slim Princess Chapter E Clampus Vitus, and the Inyo County Board of Supervisors.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 37° 24.029′ N, 118° 20.793′ W. Marker is near Bishop, California, in Inyo County. It can be reached from Silver Canyon Road east of U.S. 6. Located at the Laws Railroad Museum, 4½ miles north of Bishop. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 Silver Canyon Rd, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Laws Station (here, next to this marker); Reception Center (a few steps from this marker); General Store (a few steps from this marker); Pumps (approx. 0.2

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miles away); Turntable (approx. 0.2 miles away); Owensville (approx. 0.3 miles away); Welcome To Our Homeland (approx. 2.3 miles away); Mining & Ranching (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bishop.

Regarding Laws. All narrow-gauge locomotives in Owens Valley were nicknamed Slim Princess. Three locomotives still exist, at museums in Independence, Laws, and Sparks.

Also see . . . Laws Railroad Museum. (Submitted on November 13, 2025.)

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 3, 2025

2. Laws Marker

Slim Princess image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 3, 2025

3. Slim Princess

Undergoing restoration at Laws.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 3, 2025

4. Laws Depot

Click on photos to see them full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 3, 2025

5. Laws Depot

Laws Area Railroad Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 3, 2025

6. Laws Area Railroad Map

Laws Museum Sign at Hwy 6 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 3, 2025

7. Laws Museum Sign at Hwy 6

Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 49 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 13, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7. submitted on November 12, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.