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

Owensville

Photographed by Karen Key, August 25, 2007

1. Owensville Marker

Inscription. The first white man’s settlement in northern Owens Valley was built here in 1861 and two years later prospectors named it Owensville. It thrived for some time but in 1864, as mining in the White Mts. petered out the miners moved on to better diggings, leaving the town deserted.

Dedicated June 11, 1977
Slim Princess Chapter
E Clampus Vitus

Erected 1977 by Slim Princess Chapter E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 230.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 11, 1916.

Location. 37° 23.976′ N, 118° 21.16′ W. Marker is in Bishop, California, in Inyo County. It is at the intersection of Highway 6 (U.S. 6) and Silver Canyon Road, on the right when traveling east on Highway 6. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: General Store (approx. 0.3 miles away); Reception Center (approx. 0.3 miles away); Laws (approx. 0.3 miles away); Laws Station (approx. 0.3 miles away); Turntable

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Pumps (approx. 0.4 miles away); Welcome To Our Homeland (approx. 2.1 miles away); Mining & Ranching (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bishop.

Regarding Owensville. Declared a California Historical Landmark in 1935 — NO. 230 FIRST PERMANENT WHITE HABITATION IN OWENS VALLEY - In August of 1861, A. Van Fleet and three other men drove their cattle into Owens Valley and prepared to stay. A cabin of sod and stone was built at the big bend of the Owens River at the northern end of the valley.

Photographed by Karen Key, August 25, 2007

2. Owensville Marker

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 3, 2025

3. Owensville Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 2,003 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 14, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. 3. submitted on November 12, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.