ZURICH

NAME: Zurich
COUNTY: Inyo
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 3
CLIMATE: Cool windy winters, hot summers
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring, fall
COMMENTS: Located on the just to the east of the Owens River on the east side of the Owens Valley about 5 miles east of the town of Big Pine.
REMAINS: Foundations from several buildings are the only remnants still existing today.

Zurich was the first town south of Laws, CA on the ex-Carson & Colorado narrow gauge railroad (later the Southern Pacific Railroad narrow gauge Owens Valley Branch), which originally run from Mound House, NV to Keeler, CA . After standard gauging of the northern section to Mina, NV and abandonment of the line over Montgomery
Pass only the line from Laws, CA to Keeler remained (finally abandoned in 1960). Town Died when the rails were pulled up from Tonopah, Nv to Keeler, CA. Named by the residents because the sharp jagged peaks of the White Mountains, located just east of the town and the Sierras to the west looked like the Alps in winter when covered by snow. The last resident was a family who's daughter Josephine (the last person born in Zurich) married a railroad conductor and moved to Mojave, CA. Now 74 in 2000, She still resides in Mojave today. Submitted by: Bill Steele


Zurich's historical plaque located on California Highway 168. December 5, 1998.
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research


Stock yard at Zurich. This platform appears to be a scale for weighing livestock. December 5, 1998.
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research


Stock ramp. View toward Sierra Nevada after a late autumn snowstorm. December 5, 1998.
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research


Zurich Station on the former narrow gauge Carson & Colorado Railroad. December 3, 1998.
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research


My truck is parked on the foundation of the depot, giving an indication of its size. December 5, 1998.
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research


View of the north end of the foundation. December 5, 1998.
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research


Zurich Station
Courtesy Bill Cook


Zurich Station
Courtesy Bill Cook


Zurich Station
Courtesy Bill Cook


Zurich Station
Courtesy Bill Cook


Zurich Station
Courtesy Bill Cook


Zurich Station Demolished
Courtesy Bill Cook


Zurich Station Marker
Courtesy Bill Cook

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