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Owenyo, California facts for kids

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Owenyo
Owenyo is located in California
Owenyo
Owenyo
Location in California
Owenyo is located in the United States
Owenyo
Owenyo
Location in the United States
Country United States
State California
County Inyo County
Elevation
3,697 ft (1,127 m)

Owenyo was once a small community in Inyo County, California. It was located about 5 miles (8 km) north of Lone Pine. Owenyo was important because it was a stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad.

Today, Owenyo is a ghost town. It was abandoned in the 1960s. You won't find any buildings or people there now. Only a few old building foundations remain. It's mostly just a spot on maps.

The Story of Owenyo

How Owenyo Began

Owenyo was first started in 1900 by a group of Quaker colonists. The town's name is a mix of "Owens" and "Inyo." The original town site was a little to the southeast.

Owenyo and the Railroads

In 1905, the Carson and Colorado Railroad arrived. This made Owenyo an important place. It became a transfer point for goods. Freight was moved from one train to another here.

In 1910, the town moved to its current location. For a while, it was even called "New Owenyo."

The Post Office in Owenyo

Owenyo had its own post office at different times. It operated from 1902 to 1905. Then, it reopened from 1916 to 1941. This shows that people lived and worked there for many years.

Why Owenyo Disappeared

Owenyo was abandoned in the 1960s. The reasons for its decline are not fully clear. However, many small railroad towns faded away. This happened as transportation methods changed.

Today, Owenyo is just a quiet, empty place. It reminds us of California's past.

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