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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
Owens Valley residents, including men and women, during their occupation of the Alabama Gates, of the Los Angeles Aqueduct. Photographer's inscription on lower right of photograph: "Army of Occupation L. A. Aqueduct." In lower left corner is recorded name of photographer: "Detrick Bishop California." 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
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. In protest, on 16 November 1924, Owens Valley ranchers and farmers under the leadership of Bishop, California banker Mark Watterson seized the Alabama Gates, the place at which the Owens River is diverted into the aqueduct. Water was then let from the aqueduct into the Owens River bed, now dry. 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, although the occupation did nothing to halt the City of Los Angeles' continued acquisition and subsequent control of land in the valley.
Collection
J. D. Black Papers, CSLA-15, Series 3: Photographs, Box 16, Sleeve3
Type
Language
eng
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