#carsoncolorado #SlimPrincessEngine18 #Narrowgauge #keeler

To help the Keeler Plunge please visit https://chng.it/xNzQBrKTtY

Keeler, in early times known as Hawley, is named after Captain Keeler, a Union Civil War Veteran (find more). Keeler is/was at the economic transportation crossroads throughout time. First, ore and/or bullion coming down from Cerro Gordo first by mule later by tram and first being shipped by steamboat Bessie across Owens Lake and later loaded onto the Carson Colorado RR to be taking north and/or west to refineries. The advent of the CCRR coming to town also opened up other options, such as the Inyo Development Company, just north of Keeler and the Natural Soda Products, 3 miles to the south of Keeler (see prior video on this channel). NSP put in its own tracks and procured engines to bring their products to the CCRR for transport to the market. Aside from the wide variety of soda products harvested from Owens Lake until the early twenties, the Saline Valley Salt Tram brought in salt that needed tp get to market, and a talc mill opened and operated into the 1980s.
Needless to say, Keeler had a rather steady population until four main income sources vanished: mining, soda product production, the CCRR, and Owens Lake. One neat feature of Keeler, which is perched at the early eastern banks of Owens Lake in the DESERT, was its pool. Residents, to this day, call it lovingly the Plunge. In the 1920 to 1940’s, it was a hot spot for LA socialites who came for movie making based out of near by Lone Pine, CA. There was not a more scenic photo opt than plunging into the pool with the back drop framed by Owens Lakes with it lush reeds and the whitecapped Sierra Nevada crest under beaming blue sky. On March 10, during the history walk organized by the Friends of the Eastern California Museum (FECM.org), kids plunged into the pool until 1968, as one of those kids present reported. Thereafter, the pool went into its sad state as we found them on the historic walk. However, if you, like me, were saddened by the Keeler Plunge’s state and dreamed of taking a dip on a hot summer day in this incredible scenic place. Don’t Despair! We may get our wish.
Just recently, the property was donated to the Friends of the Eastern California Museum. Goal, as I understood, is to restore the pool and make it a seasonal pool open to the public. And best of all, also established the wetland to the east of it as wild land habitat. Animal watching from a pool – How about that?
What to join the engine enthusiasts of the Carson Colorado? Visit the website (carsoncolorado.com) or the Instagram (  / carsoncoloradorailway  ) or Facebook (  / ccrw18r   )sites.