Avena, California facts for kids

Avena was once a small place in Inyo County, California. It was located about halfway between two other towns, Bishop and Round Valley. Today, Avena is considered a "former settlement," which means it's a place where people used to live and work, but it's no longer an active community.

What Was Avena?

A "former settlement" is like a ghost town or a place that has been abandoned over time. It might have had buildings, roads, and people living there, but for various reasons, the community eventually disappeared. Avena was one of these small places that played a part in California's history, even if only for a short time.

A Short History of Avena

We know that Avena had a post office. A post office is a very important building in any community because it helps people send and receive letters and packages. The post office in Avena was open for a few years, from 1880 to 1885. This short period suggests that Avena was a very small or temporary settlement. After 1885, the post office closed, and eventually, the settlement itself faded away.

Why Do Settlements Disappear?

Many small settlements like Avena disappeared for different reasons. Sometimes, they were built near a specific resource, like a mine. When the resource ran out, people moved away. Other times, new roads or railways bypassed the settlement, making it harder for businesses to thrive. Changes in farming, water supply, or even natural events could also cause a community to shrink and eventually vanish. Avena's short history suggests it might have been one of these places that didn't have enough reasons for people to stay long-term.