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

Keeler

End of the Line

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 30, 2023

1. Keeler Marker

Inscription. From Mound House, Nevada, narrow gauge rails of the Carson & Colorado Railroad reached this site in 1883. Cerro Gordo and other mines faltered, the rail line fell on hard times, so plans to extend the line to Mojave were abandoned, leaving Keeler as "End of the Line".

Erected 1973 by Slim Princess Chapter No. 395 E Clampus Vitus, and Inyo County Board of Supervisors.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 36° 29.308′ N, 117° 52.401′ W. Marker is in Keeler, California, in Inyo County. It is on Malone Street just south of Railroad Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Keeler CA 93530, 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

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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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Keeler Then to Now (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cerro Gordo (approx. 0.4 miles away); Owens Lake Dust Mitigation Program (approx. 1½ miles away); Owens Lake Silver-Lead Furnace (approx. 3 miles away); New Water, New Life (approx. 3.3 miles away); Gifts of Rock and Water (approx. 3.8 miles away); Traces of the Past (approx. 4.2 miles away); Dolomite Mine (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Keeler.

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

Also see . . .
1. Carson & Colorado Railway: Slim Princess Promotional. In the early 1880's, the Carson and Colorado Railroad operated narrow gauge steam-powered Baldwin locomotives in Western Nevada and Eastern California. The Carson and Colorado line was absorbed into

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 30, 2023

2. Keeler Marker

the Southern Pacific system in 1900. This narrow gauge branch line remained exclusively steam powered until 1955. SP Narrow Gauge Engine #18, a 1911 Baldwin 4-6-0, has been on static display in Independence since her 1955 retirement date. [recently refurbished and now operational] (Submitted on April 2, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California.)

2. Ghost Town Trail. A YouTube driving tour complete with photos of the town. (Submitted on July 20, 2018.)

Keeler Railroad Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, November 10, 2013

3. Keeler Railroad Station

Located across the street from the marker.

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 30, 2023

4. Keeler Marker

Sign at Highway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 30, 2023

5. Sign at Highway

Keeler Railroads Map image. Click for full size.

courtesy KEEPS

6. Keeler Railroads Map

Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,263 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on March 25, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 4, 5. submitted on April 30, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6. submitted on May 5, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.