Near Aspendell in Inyo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Power for the Diggins
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Power for the Diggins Marker
With the discovery of gold and silver in Nevada at Goldfield and Tonopah, the need for electric power for mining operations was fulfilled in September, 1905, by construction of a hydro-electric plant on Bishop Creek, which supplied 1,300 kilowatts of energy over a 113 mile long transmission line.
The Nevada Power, Mining & Milling Co. which built the project later became the Nevada-California Power Co., and four additional plants were built using the water from North, Sabrina, and South Lakes to supply power into Central Nevada and South to Rhyolite. In 1964, the projects were acquired by the Southern California Edison Co.
Erected 1988 by Slim Princess Chapter 395 E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 25, 1873.
Location. 37° 14.884′ N, 118° 35.328′ W. Marker is near Aspendell, California, in Inyo County. It is on California Route 168, 11 miles west of U.S. 395, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Sierra Nevada. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, on 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 5 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cardinal Gold Mine (approx. 1.7 miles away); Parcher's Rainbow Camp / Rainbow Pack Outfit (approx. 4.7 miles away); Buttermilk Road (approx. 7.2 miles away); Bishop Creek Battleground (approx. 8.8 miles away); Lon Chaney Cabin (approx. 10.3 miles away).
Photographed by Karen Key, October 8, 2006
2. Power for the Diggins Marker
Photographed by Karen Key, October 8, 2006
3. Power for the Diggins Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker, 2025
4. Bishop Creek 5 Hydro-Electric Plant
Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2006, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 2,965 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 14, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3. submitted on October 17, 2006, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. 4. submitted on October 14, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
