Keeler, California
Keeler, California | ||
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FIPS code 06-37918 | | |
GNIS feature ID | 0244213 |
Keeler, formerly known as Hawley, is an
History
When the
The steamship Bessie Brady brought ore from Keeler across the lake to the town of Cartago. There was a 300-foot wharf (91 m) at Keeler, and the steamship route cut days off the time a freight wagon would have taken to circle the lake. She carried 700 ingots at a time in a three-hour crossing, but in 1882 the Bessie Brady was destroyed by fire.
A second boom of zinc mining in the early 20th century brought new life to the town and an aerial cable tramway was built to bring the ore from Cerro Gordo to Keeler. There were small surges in the mining of silver, lead, zinc and limestone, but by the 1950s all mining had ceased. Train service was stopped in 1960 and the tracks were removed in 1961. Water exports from the Owens Valley to the City of Los Angeles in the 1920s led the Owens Lake to eventually dry up, causing alkali dust storms to blow through Keeler, driving many residents away.[7] Dust remediation efforts in the early 21st century reduced this problem, but few residents remain.
A post office operated at Keeler from 1883 to 1898[4] and is still operating today.
There is a
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2), all land.
Keeler is located along the eastern shores of
Demographics
2010
At the
The census reported that 100% of the population lived in households.
There were 40 households; four (10%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 13 (33%) were
The age distribution was nine people (14%) under the age of 18, one person (2%) aged 18 to 24, one person (2%) aged 25 to 44, 33 people (50%) aged 45 to 64, and 22 people (33%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 59.3 years. Pro rata, for every 100 females, there were 120.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 147.8 males.
There were 67 housing units at an average density of 51.5 per square mile (19.9/km2), of which 40 were occupied, of which 33 (83%) were owner-occupied, and 7 (18%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3%; the rental vacancy rate was 22%. 55 people (83% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 11 people (17%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
At the
The age distribution was 14% under the age of 18, 2% from 18 to 24, 11% from 25 to 44, 36% from 45 to 64, and 38% 65 or older. The median age was 57 years. For every 100 females, there were 112.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.1 males.
The median household income was $19,625 and the median family income was $26,250. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,621. There were no families and 9% of the population living below the
Government
In the
Federally, Keeler is in California's 8th congressional district, represented by Democrat John Garamendi.[14]
In popular culture
Keeler is mentioned in the final chapters of Frank Norris' novel, McTeague (1899).
Keeler appears in films such as Outlaws of the Desert (1941), Sinister Journey (1948) and The Blazing Sun (1950).[15]
See also
- California Water Wars
References
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
- ^ "2010 Census U.S. Gazetteer Files – Places – California". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Keeler, California
- ^ ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
- ^ Roberta Starry, "Dirty Sock and Beyond", Desert magazine, November 1970.
- ^ Reheis, Marith C (December 9, 2016). "Owens (Dry) Lake, California: A Human-Induced Dust Problem". U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ California Parks, California Historical Landmark
- ^ californiahistoricallandmarks.com Landmarks chl-752
- ^ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Keeler CDP". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Senators". State of California. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
- ^ "Members Assembly". State of California. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
- ^ "California's 8th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
- ISBN 9780692722947.
External links
- Keeler Post Office: http://stampcollectingroundup.blogspot.com/2007/06/save-keeler-post-office.html