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Occupation of the Alabama Gates, Los Angeles Aqueduct, Owens Valley, California

 
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Title
Occupation of the Alabama Gates, Los Angeles Aqueduct, Owens Valley, California
Creator
Detrick Studio (Bishop, Calif.)
Date
1924
Description
Parked automobiles of Owens Valley residents (described as "ranchers") during their occupation of the Alabama Gates, of the Los Angeles Aqueduct. In right background is spillway of the Gates. Majority of persons occupying the Alabama Gates to the left of the spillway. Alabama Hills are in background. Photographer's inscription on front of photograph: "The Auto Fleet of Bishop Ranchers at L. A. Aqueduct, Nov. 16-24, 1924." On left is recorded name of photographer: "Detrick." Title supplied by cataloger.
Names
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Format Extent
1 postcard : b&w ; 8 x 14 cm
Subject
Water rights--California--Owens Valley; Water rights--California--Los Angeles; Canals--California--Owens Valley; Protest movements--California--Owens Valley; Automobiles--California--20th century
Note
To meet the need for water of its growing population, the City of Los Angeles began buying land and corresponding water rights in the Owens Valley in 1905. In 1913, the great Los Angeles Aqueduct was completed to bring Owens Valley water to the city. In 1923, the City of Los Angeles began acquiring more land in the Owens Valley to gain further sources of water. To protest the failure of Los Angeles to address their grievances, Owens Valley farmers and ranchers, under the leadership of Bishop, California banker Mark Watterson, seized the Alabama Gates, on 16 November 1924. The Gates divert water to a spillway allowing water to flow to the Owens River, which leads to the now dry Owens Lake. During the occupation water was let from the aqueduct into the lower Owens River bed, at that time dry (it has now been partially restored). After townspeople from Bishop joined the occupation, the number of occupiers reached seven hundred. It lasted until 20 November, and brought both national and international press coverage to the plight of the Owens Valley residents. The occupation and resulting favorable publicity did nothing to halt the City of Los Angeles' continued acquisition and subsequent control of land in the valley. The famous Alabama Hills, the site of many a western movie, are in the background.
Collection
J. D. Black Papers, CSLA-15, Series 3: Photographs, Subseries A: Photographic Postcards, Box 16, Sleeve 5
Type
Language
eng
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