Old Camp Independence (site)

 camp, historic ruins

Situated in Inyo County on the north side of Oak Creek, about three miles from the town of Independence, in the Owens River Valley, on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevadas the post was established by Lieutenant Colonel George S. Evans 2nd California Cavalry on July 4, 1862 Never officially designated a fort, it was established to provide protection for the area's miners, who were troubled by Indian marauders. Temporarily abandoned in 1864, it was reoccupied in March 1865, due to renewed Indian depredations. The post was finally abandoned on July 5, 1877. The military reservation was transferred to the Interior Department for disposition on July 22, 1884. The building which served as the commanding officer's quarters was moved froth its original site to its new setting on Edwards Street in Independence.

Further reading:
www.militarymuseum.org/CpIndependence.html