Owensville, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Owensville
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 Owensville
Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Inyo County |
| Elevation | 4,117 ft (1,255 m) |
| Official name: First Permanent White Habitation in Owens Valley | |
| Reference #: | 230 |
Owensville (also known as Glen Mary) was a small town that used to exist in Inyo County, California. It was located west of where the modern town of Laws is today. Owensville began as a mining camp in 1863. A mining camp is a temporary settlement built quickly when people discover valuable minerals like gold or silver. By 1871, the town was completely abandoned. The place where Owensville once stood is now along U.S. Route 6, just north of Bishop, California.
A Short-Lived Town
Owensville was founded in 1863 because of mining. Many towns in California started this way during the Gold Rush era. People would rush to areas where minerals were found, hoping to get rich. These towns often grew very fast but could also disappear quickly if the mines ran out or if people moved on to new discoveries. Owensville only lasted for about eight years before everyone left.
Its Name and Post Office
Owensville had its own post office, which helped people send and receive mail. This post office operated from 1866 to 1870. In 1870, the post office was moved to Bishop, California, which was then called Bishop Creek. For a short time, from 1868 to 1869, Owensville was known by a different name: Glen Mary.
A Special Historical Spot
Even though Owensville no longer exists, its location is remembered as an important historical site. It is registered as California Historical Landmark #230. This landmark is called the "First Permanent White Habitation in Owens Valley." It was given this special status on June 20, 1935.
The California Historical Landmark marker tells us:
NO. 230 FIRST PERMANENT WHITE HABITATION IN OWENS VALLEY - In August of 1861, A. Van Fleet and three other men drove their cattle into Owens Valley and prepared to stay. A cabin of sod and stone was built at the big bend of the Owens River at the northern end of the valley.
This means that in 1861, a few years before Owensville was founded, some of the first non-Native American settlers built a cabin in the Owens Valley. This cabin marked the beginning of permanent settlements in the area. Owensville later grew near this important historical spot.
