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Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery*
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Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery towers above the Owens Valley
today as a monument to the foresight and dedication of the
citizens of Independence and the California Department of Fish
and Game.
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Finding the Perfect Location
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| When the proposal to construct a new fish hatchery
was first discussed in the early 19()0s, it created tremendous
competition between several locations. Among sites that were
believed to be considered were Tuttle Creek west of Lone Pine,
Bishop Creek west of Bishop, Oak Creek west of Independence, and a
possible site in San Bernardino County. W. H. Shebley, a Fish
Culturist of thirty-two years at the time, had stated that,
"the site chosen is as near ideal as can be conceived; abundant
water supply and no legal complications over it; central location
and excellent transportation facilities." The following factors
led to the selection of Oak Creek. First, the forty acre parcel of
land would be a gift to the state from the local citizens. Second,
the guaranteed use of water from Oak Creek. Third, the temperature
of the water was better suited to fish production. All of these
factors made Oak Creek the best location. |
Community Support
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| The Inyo Independent, December 15, 1915, reported
that: On Thursday afternoon December 15, 1915, the citizens of
Independence and vicinity held a little meeting in the courthouse of
which everyone may justly be proud. It was called to raise $1500.00
to purchase a state fish hatchery site on Oak Creek, and while not
quite the entire amount was raised at the meeting, enough was raised
so that the balance was immediately guaranteed, and with a very
little work done later the amount subscribed went over the $1500.00
mark.
There was no oratory, just business. Judge Dehy
called the meeting to order and explained the purpose of it. George.
W. Naylor read the paper which had been prepared for signatures of
those desiring to assist in the matter, A. W. Fibeshutz spoke about
a dozen words, and the ball started rolling. No one got stage
fright, but they just walked up and signed their names. The
$125-pieces took the lead, followed by the hundreds, the fifties,
the twenty fives, and soon down the line. There was no talk, no
coaxing; every-one seemed to know just what they wanted to do and
they did it. It was certainly a liberal subscription.
M. J. Connell (4the State Fish and Game Commission,
who left the Thursday prior after spending several days in the
volley, stated that a site must be furnished wherever a hatchery was
established. This both Lone Pine and Independence have agreed to do,
and regardless of where the Commission finally decides to build the
hatchery, it will be a wonderful benefit to the entire county.
The citizens of Independence and vicinity
demonstrated support by donating 40 acres of land for the hatchery
site, to the State of California that still exists today. This gift
of land, a pledge by the Inyo County Board of Supervisors of $500 to
construct a road from US 395 to the hatchery, and the commitment by
the California Fish and Game Commission of $20,000 to construct the
facility, created a one-of-a-kind California state treasure that
must be preserved. |
Building the Hatchery
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Once the site was selected, the process of designing
the building started. The building was designed by a team of six men
led by Charles Dean of the State Department of Engineering. Fish and
Came Commissioner M. J. Connell instructed the team, "To design
a building that would match the mountains, would last forever, and
would be a showplace for all time." Commissioner Connell
expressed great foresight by stating these guidelines which created
a one-of-a-kind showplace for the state.
The hatchery building is constructed of native
granite collected within a quarter of a mile of the site. The walls
are two three feet thick. None of the stones used in construction
were cut, but were "sorted to fit." The roof is red
Spanish tile made in Lincoln, California from red clay found at that
location. The interior is finished with Oregon ash. A gardener
brought in from Golden Gate Park in San Francisco landscaped the
grounds of the hatchery. Approximately 3,500 tons of boulders used
in the walls were guaranteed not to "crumble until the
mountains shall fall."
Construction was started in late March of 1916 with
the goal of completing the project in time to receive eggs in the
spring of 1917. Mr. H. V. Grant, superintendent of construction for
the State Department of Engineering, was in charge of construction.
The decision to use local help and on-site stone reduced the cost of
construction. Initial cost was estimated at $30,000. Final cost vas
reported to be $60,000. |
Raising Trout
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The early operation of the hatchery is reflected in
comments made by F. A. Shelby, Superintendent of Mt. Whitney Fish
Hatchery, in 1917. "The Mt Whitney Fish Hatchery is the largest
and best equipped fish hatchery in California and is under
jurisdiction of the State Fish and Game Commission. It has a yearly
capacity of 2,000,000 fry." The first trout hatched in 1917
were eggs collected at Rae Lakes. The eggs were transported from the
collecting station at Rae Lakes via Baxter Pass by mule train to the
hatchery. After the 1927 spawning season, eggs were no longer
collected at Rae Lakes due to declining production.
The spawning season of 1918 saw the first collection
of golden trout eggs from the Cottonwood Lakes. This program
continues to this day and has provided golden trout for planting
throughout the Sierra Nevada. This program is handled by the Mt.
Whitney Fish Hatchery and is the sole source of golden trout eggs in
California. Since the golden trout is the California state fish, it
is obvious that Mt. Whitney Hatchery is vital to its continued
success. |
The Hatchery Today
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| While fish production at the hatchery has been an
important part of the Owens Valley economy since 1917, the building
and grounds continue to be a vital component to the spirit of the
community. The stately building and beautiful grounds of the
hatchery have lasted decades of high school graduations, weddings,
concerts, family picnics, and numerous other functions. The
beautiful and unique setting for events is important to the people
of Owens Valley. In addition, the site is a popular destination for
tourists. The hatchery is featured in countless guidebooks and
pictured on post cards. The number of visitors totals over 60,000
each year. |
Hatchery In Jeopardy
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The California Department of Fish and Game scheduled
the closure of Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery on June 30, 1996, in an
effort to cut department expenditures. Opposition to the closure
began in the local community and grew to include citizens throughout
California. They recognized the need to continue the hatchery as a
working facility and preserve its historic and cultural significance
for the people of the State of California.
As a result of a public meeting in March1996, the
State Department of Fish and Game formed a Strategic Planning
Committee of interested citizens to advise the Director on the
future of the hatchery. |
Looking to the Future
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The Mt Whitney Hatchery Strategic Planning Committee
is providing information to the Strategic Plan for the hatchery's
future which will serve the needs of both the Department of Fish and
Game and the Community.
The goal of the Committee is to have a Strategic
Plan which will sustain Mt Whitney Fish Hatchery as a working
hatchery and preserve the historical significance of the hatchery
facility and its place in the history of the area and the state.
This goal is made of five components that will be used for the
development of the Strategic Plan.
The five components for the Mt. Whitney Fish
Hatchery Strategic Plan are:
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1.
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Enable the hatchery to realize its full potential in
support of the Department's efforts to manage California's trout
resources; |
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2.
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Preserve the historical value of the hatchery; |
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3.
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Foster a sense of pride, ownership and involvement in
future of the hatchery by the people of California; |
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Encourage public/private partnerships for the most
effective use of limited Department funds and resources; and |
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5.
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Provide the public with an interpretation of the
historical significance of the hatchery, knowledge of the hatchery's
function and an understanding of our natural resources. |
{*Copied without permission from a pamphlet published
on behalf of the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery; it does not contain a
copyright nor identification of who published it.
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