2021 Map of Independence

About this map

Independence serves as the focal point of this Eastern Sierra landscape, situated in the heart of the Owens Valley. The town is characterized by its civic significance, centered around the Inyo County Courthouse. The surrounding terrain transitions from the wetland environments of Tulare Swamp and Thibaut Ponds to the rising slopes of the Inyo Mountains and the Inyo National Forest. A major engineering presence is felt through the Los Angeles Aqueduct, which cuts through the valley floor alongside the natural course of the Owens River. Local history and genealogy are anchored by several burial sites, including the Old Independence Cem, the Independence Cem, and the Indian Cem. The map captures the meeting of high-desert infrastructure and early settlement patterns, connected by thoroughfares like Onion Valley Rd and Mazourka Canyon Rd.