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

Owens Lake Silver-Lead Furnace

Photographed By Michael Kindig, November 10, 2013

1. Owens Lake Silver-Lead Furnace Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Owens Lake Silver-Lead Furnace and Mill was built here by Col. Sherman Stevens in 1869 and used until March 1874. James Brady assumed its operation in 1870 for the Silver-Lead Company and built the town of Swansea. During the next few years the output of this furnace and another at Cerro Gordo was around 150 bars of silver ever 24 hours, each weighing 83 pounds.

Erected 1961 by California State Park Commission in cooperaiton with the Eastern California Museam Association. (Marker Number 752.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 36° 31.446′ N, 117° 54.335′ W. Marker is near Keeler, California, in Inyo County. Marker is on California Route 136, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Keeler CA 93530, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Owens Lake Dust Mitigation Program (approx. 1.6 miles away); Dolomite Mine (approx. 1.8 miles

Photographed By Michael Kindig, November 10, 2013

2. Owens Lake Silver-Lead Furnace Marker

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away); Keeler (approx. 3 miles away); Cerro Gordo (approx. 3.4 miles away); Highway History (approx. 8 miles away); Lone Pine Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 9½ miles away); Cottonwood Charcoal Kilns (approx. 10 miles away); Lone Pine Film Museum (approx. 10.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Keeler.

Also see . . . Ghost Town Trail. A YouTube driving tour complete with photos. (Submitted on July 20, 2018.)

Photographed By Michael Kindig, November 10, 2013

3. Owens Lake Silver-Lead Furnace Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Long Beach, California. This page has been viewed 613 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 6, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3. submitted on March 25, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Long Beach, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.