DianaT
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Laws Railroad Museum -- Don't Miss It.
For years we have seen the sign for Laws Railroad Museum outside of Bishop, CA, but we never visited. It is about 5 miles east of Highway 395 on
Highway 6. Even when we drove by, it did not look like much --- we were pleasantly surprised. There is so much more there than we ever imagined ----
Laws was a RR town --- the RR being the Carson and Colorado RR which began in 1880 in Nevada with high hopes of going a lot further south, but never
made it beyond Keeler. It completely stopped in 1959 and by that time, most of the buildings at Laws had been torn down --- only the depot and a
couple other buildings survived and a few structures remained. So most of what is there now was brought in.
Check out thier web-site for more information, history and pictures of the overall place -- 11 acres in all. Laws RR Museum
A few isolated images ---
A row of memorabilia showcase shops.
The collections are overwhelming with one of my favorites being the old cameras --- this image shows only a tiny fraction of what is there --- I want
to spend a lot more time there
Then there is good old Engine Number Nine -- used in the Steve McQueen movie, Nevada Smith. And the film crew built what is now the reception center
--- so much movie history in the Owens Valley ---
I just loved this old wooden caboose. I love trains, but to me, they have never been as exciting since they eliminated the caboose!
This interesting little engine was found in a salvage yard by a construction company near Mt. Baldy and brought here. BTW -- Mt Baldy is in the San
Gabriel Mountains east and north of Los Angles. I loved this since I spent so many years hiking every weekend in the San Gabriel Mountains -- my old
hometown.
Ah, one of my favorites. This self-propelled car from the Death Valley Railroad has its very own garage and can often be viewed only through the
windows of the garage. But when one of the very dedicated volunteers is working on the car, the garage is open and one can go inside this magnificent
piece of art. It reminded us of the beautiful old rail car in which we rode over Cooper Canyon many years ago; long before the rail cars they use
today.
And the volunteer was more than happy to sit down and give us a history lesson of the area, and the development of the museum. He also explained how
this this car and other items have been restored.
And of course, there is the obligatory ancient automobile with the old gas station. And inside some barn buildings, there are some REALLY great old
cars, wagons, trucks, fire fighting equipment and more.
And there is LOTS of old farm equipment around. It always gives me wonderful visions of plowing the fields in simpler times -- there is something
very serene about that vision of very difficult work.
The sign said this contraption was multi-purpose. It was definitely the work of a very creative inventor!
And what a wonderful vehicle!
I just found the shredded tire fascinating --- seeing all the elements that made that tire.
We would have stayed longer, but we had our two favorite little engineers in tow. Oh, there are lots of bells and whistles the little ones can
operate.
And after a while, they grow weary.
So if you have not done so, we very much recommend that the next time you head up 395, take a little extra time to visit this great place before it
might fade away like an old photo.
[Edited on 4-2-2013 by DianaT]
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Bob H
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Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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Very interesting... lot's of history !!!
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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TMW
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Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Wow never knew about it. Next time I near there for sure to stop. Great stuff thanks.
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Cisco
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Registered: 12-30-2010
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
For years we have seen the sign for Laws Railroad Museum outside of Bishop, CA, but we never visited. It is about 5 miles east of Highway 395 on
Highway 6. Even when we drove by, it did not look like much --- we were pleasantly surprised. There is so much more there than we ever imagined ----
Laws was a RR town --- the RR being the Carson and Colorado RR which began in 1880 in Nevada with high hopes of going a lot further south, but never
made it beyond Keeler. It completely stopped in 1959 and by that time, most of the buildings at Laws had been torn down --- only the depot and a
couple other buildings survived and a few structures remained. So most of what is there now was brought in.
Check out thier web-site for more information, history and pictures of the overall place -- 11 acres in all. Laws RR Museum
A few isolated images ---
A row of memorabilia showcase shops.
The collections are overwhelming with one of my favorites being the old cameras --- this image shows only a tiny fraction of what is there --- I want
to spend a lot more time there
Then there is good old Engine Number Nine -- used in the Steve McQueen movie, Nevada Smith. And the film crew built what is now the reception center
--- so much movie history in the Owens Valley ---
I just loved this old wooden caboose. I love trains, but to me, they have never been as exciting since they eliminated the caboose!
This interesting little engine was found in a salvage yard by a construction company near Mt. Baldy and brought here. BTW -- Mt Baldy is in the San
Gabriel Mountains east and north of Los Angles. I loved this since I spent so many years hiking every weekend in the San Gabriel Mountains -- my old
hometown.
Ah, one of my favorites. This self-propelled car from the Death Valley Railroad has its very own garage and can often be viewed only through the
windows of the garage. But when one of the very dedicated volunteers is working on the car, the garage is open and one can go inside this magnificent
piece of art. It reminded us of the beautiful old rail car in which we rode over Cooper Canyon many years ago; long before the rail cars they use
today.
And the volunteer was more than happy to sit down and give us a history lesson of the area, and the development of the museum. He also explained how
this this car and other items have been restored.
And of course, there is the obligatory ancient automobile with the old gas station. And inside some barn buildings, there are some REALLY great old
cars, wagons, trucks, fire fighting equipment and more.
And there is LOTS of old farm equipment around. It always gives me wonderful visions of plowing the fields in simpler times -- there is something
very serene about that vision of very difficult work.
The sign said this contraption was multi-purpose. It was definitely the work of a very creative inventor!
And what a wonderful vehicle!
I just found the shredded tire fascinating --- seeing all the elements that made that tire.
We would have stayed longer, but we had our two favorite little engineers in tow. Oh, there are lots of bells and whistles the little ones can
operate.
And after a while, they grow weary.
So if you have not done so, we very much recommend that the next time you head up 395, take a little extra time to visit this great place before it
might fade away like an old photo.
[Edited on 4-2-2013 by DianaT] |
I so look forward to your posts and this one is right up there with your best.
Thank you for sharing.
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DianaT
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Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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Thank you for the nice comments and I am glad that this has encouraged someone to visit. They need the visitors. They are on county owned land, they
do receive some specific grants, some county and city money and the rest is supported by donations.
One volunteer told us that when someone does visit, they usually say the same thing we did --- we have passed the sign and turn-off for years, and
even when we traveled on 6, we just passed by and what a surprise it was to see so much there!
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El Vergel
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Posts: 197
Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: San Felipe - Puertecitos Rd., Km. 35 and Santa Mon
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Fab report, awesome pics! Thanks for sharing this find... very cool.
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DianaT
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Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by El Vergel
Fab report, awesome pics! Thanks for sharing this find... very cool. |
Thanks!
As a side note for you desert explorers, while they have only a couple of enforcement officers in this area, the BLM is enforcing the Antiquities Laws
more these days. It is a real hot button topic around here as so many have been collecting old bottles, cans, etc., in this area for years. The
volunteer reminded us that one of the laws includes items that are 50 years old or older, so any item from 1963 and before is an antiquity! The
three of us laughed about it because to us, 1963 seems like just a few years ago!
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durrelllrobert
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Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
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Mood: thriving in Baja
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Closer to Baja
For all you old time railroad enthusists there is a great railroad museum just off I 15 in Perris, CA. They even have an operating steam engine train
and flat cars that you can ride around a 1 mile track.
Sorry to highjack your tread Diana.
Bob Durrell
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tripledigitken
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Registered: 9-27-2006
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Diane,
Great "find", I have driven by it countless times too.
Is it fenced in? Can you get to it after hours?
Ken
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JohnMcfrog
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Posts: 156
Registered: 8-1-2012
Location: San Diego, Punta Abreojos
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Diane,
Your post brought back many memories for me. We always took our daughter to see the trains there on the way to Mammoth or backpacking. It is indeed a
unique, low key place to enjoy some quiet time.
Thanks,
Juanito
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DianaT
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Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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Bob --- that is a great RR museum!
Ken --- they close at 4 p.m. but you might be able to walk around some of the outside area, but I am not sure. But you would not be able to see all
the great things that are inside the buildings. Next time we are there, I will ask about walking around after closing time.
Juanito, glad to hear that someone was smart enough to stop there on their way to somewhere else.  The keep adding more and more --- a good thing!
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