Prehistoric times
The shores of Owens Lake were once rich with freshwater, attracting Native Paiute people who fished, hunted, and gathered in the area. Springs bubbled up from the ground, and the lake supported a lively wetland ecosystem. Cartago’s location—near these springs—made it a natural spot for early settlement and seasonal camps.
1860s
As silver boomed in the Cerro Gordo Mountains across the lake, miners and teamsters looked for easier ways to move ore. Sitting on the west shore of Owens Lake, Cartago became a key transfer point. Mule teams brought silver down the mountains to Keeler, where it was loaded onto steamships. Those steamers crossed the lake to Cartago, where the ore was offloaded and hauled south to Los Angeles.
1870s
Cartago developed as a lakeside depot. It had stables, a stage stop, and a few homes. The ore business fueled regular traffic, and the lake—still full of water—was an important part of the operation. During this time, steamboats like the Bessie Brady and Mollie Stevens worked the route across the lake.
1873
The Bessie Brady, a 70-foot steamship that could carry 30 tons of ore and passengers, helped make the trip across Owens Lake in just a few hours. Cartago was busy and essential during this time.
1880s
Cartago’s role diminished as Cerro Gordo’s ore output declined and the Carson & Colorado Railroad reached Keeler on the opposite side of the lake. The steamships stopped running, and freight shifted to rail. Cartago remained a small community, but its peak as a transfer hub was over.
Early 1900s
Cartago hung on with a handful of residents and ranching families. Springs in the area continued to supply water, and the views of the Sierra Nevada gave the town a quiet beauty. However, the drying of Owens Lake due to the Los Angeles Aqueduct began changing the landscape.
1920s–1940s
With Owens Lake nearly gone, dust storms became common. Cartago stayed small, mostly known to travelers heading north or south on the road that would become U.S. Route 395. Some mining continued in nearby hills, but it was nothing like the early boom days.
Today
Cartago is a tiny dot on the map, just north of Olancha. It’s mostly known for its history, a scattering of old buildings, and the natural springs still flowing nearby. Travelers pass through on their way to Lone Pine or Death Valley, often unaware that this sleepy stop was once a key part of the Owens Valley mining story.