Narka, California facts for kids

Narka was once a small community, or "settlement," located in Inyo County, California. It was situated along the Southern Pacific Railroad, about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) south of the present-day town of Little Lake. Narka was a busy place for a short time, mainly because of a huge construction project happening nearby.

Automobile route east of the Sierras from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe. Part one: Los Angeles to Haiwee, 1912. Narka is shown at the upper left.

Narka: A Temporary Railroad Town

Narka was also known as "siding 20" by the railroad. It was established in February 1909. The main reason for Narka's creation was to support the building of the Los Angeles Aqueduct. This was a massive project to bring water to the growing city of Los Angeles.

Narka started as a "railroad camp." This means it was a temporary settlement built near a railroad line. It served as a base for workers and supplies. Narka existed even before the nearby settlement of Little Lake became established.

The Los Angeles Aqueduct Project

The Los Angeles Aqueduct is a very long system of pipes and channels. It carries water from the Owens Valley in Eastern California all the way to Los Angeles. Building this aqueduct was a huge engineering challenge in the early 1900s. It required many workers and a lot of equipment.

To help with this big project, temporary camps were set up along the construction route. Narka was one of these important camps. It specifically supported the aqueduct construction camp located at a place called Soda Hill.

Daily Life and the Post Office

Even though Narka was a temporary camp, it had some important services. A post office was opened in Narka in 1909. This allowed workers and residents to send and receive mail. It was a vital connection to the outside world.

The post office served the community for several years. However, in 1913, the postal service was moved. It was transferred from Narka to the nearby settlement of Little Lake. This move showed that Little Lake was becoming a more permanent and central community.

Why Narka Disappeared

Narka's existence was tied to the construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct. Once the main work in that area was finished, the need for the camp decreased. Many temporary settlements like Narka were abandoned after their purpose was served.

Narka was officially abandoned on March 15, 1935. Today, it is considered a "former settlement" or a "ghost town." Only traces might remain of this once-busy railroad and construction camp.