Zurich, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zurich
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Populated place
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 Zurich
Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Inyo County |
| Elevation | 3,934 ft (1,199 m) |
| GNIS feature ID | 269403 |
Imagine a place that used to be a busy stop on a train line, but now only old foundations remain. That's Zurich! It's a former town in Inyo County, California. You can find it about 2 miles (3.2 km) northeast of a town called Big Pine. Zurich was once an important stop for the Carson and Colorado Railway. It was also known by two other names: Alvord and Station.
The Story of Zurich
How Zurich Got Its Name
The town of Zurich began in 1884. Back then, it was called Alvord. But in 1923, its name was changed to Zurich. This new name came from the tall, jagged peaks of the nearby White Mountains. During winter, snow covered these mountains. A person from Switzerland who lived there thought the snowy peaks looked just like the Alps mountains in their home country. So, they named the town after Zurich, a city in Switzerland.
A Stop on the Railway
Zurich was very important because it was the first stop on the Carson and Colorado Railway. This train line traveled all the way to Keeler. The railway helped connect different towns and move goods and people. It was a busy time for Zurich as trains came and went.
The End of the Line
The Carson and Colorado Railway started to slow down in the 1940s. As the railway became less active, so did the town of Zurich. Fewer trains meant fewer reasons for people to live there. By 1960, the railroad completely shut down. When the trains stopped running, Zurich was abandoned. Today, if you visit the spot where Zurich once stood, you can still see some old building foundations. A special historical plaque is also there to remember the former town.
