Editing Olancha, California

{{Short description|Census-designated place in California, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement<!-- See the table at Template:Infobox settlement for all fields and descriptions of their usage. -->
| name                 = Olancha
| settlement_type      = [[Census designated place]]
| image_skyline        = Olancha city limit sign along Southbound HWY 395 on June 18 2010.jpg
| image_caption        = Entrance sign, southbound
| image_map            = Inyo_County_California_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Olancha_Highlighted.svg
| map_caption          = Location in [[Inyo County, California|Inyo County]] and the state of California
| image_map1           = 
| mapsize1             = 
| map_caption1         = 
| pushpin_map          = USA
| pushpin_map_caption  = Location in the United States
| subdivision_type     = Country
| subdivision_name     = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1    = State
| subdivision_name1    = {{flag|California}}
| subdivision_type2    = [[List of counties in California|County]]
| subdivision_name2    = [[Inyo County, California|Inyo]]
| established_date     = 
| area_magnitude       = 
| unit_pref            = Imperial
| area_footnotes       = <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2010_place_list_06.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=March 26, 2015 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files - Places - California |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809083148/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2010_place_list_06.txt |url-status=live }}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi     = 7.872
| area_land_sq_mi      = 7.841
| area_water_sq_mi     = 0.031
| area_total_km2       = 20.388
| area_land_km2        = 20.308
| area_water_km2       = 0.080
| area_water_percent   = 0.39
| elevation_ft         = 3698
| elevation_footnotes  = <ref name=gnis/>
| population_as_of     = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="US Census Bureau 2020 Olancha, CA Population">{{cite web |title=US Census Bureau |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Olancha%20CDP,%20California |website=www.census.gov |access-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828214019/https://data.census.gov/all?q=Olancha%20CDP,%20California |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_total     = 131
| timezone             = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific]]
| utc_offset           = -8
| coordinates          = {{Wikidatacoord|Q2510895|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
| timezone_DST         = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]]
| utc_offset_DST       = -7
| postal_code_type     = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code          = 93549
| area_code_type       = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area codes]]
| area_code            = [[Area codes 442 and 760|442/760]]
| blank_name           = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS]] code
| blank_info           = {{FIPS|06|53490}}
| blank1_name          = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info          = 2408982<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2408982 }}</ref>
| footnotes            = {{Designation list |embed=yes |designation1=California |designation1_number=796 |designation1_offname=Farley's Olancha Mill Site<ref name=CHL/> }}
}}
'''Olancha''' ([[Timbisha]]: ''Pakwa' si'') is a [[census-designated place]] in [[Inyo County, California]], United States.<ref name=gnis/> Olancha is located on [[U.S. Route 395 in California]], {{convert|37|mi|km|0}} south-southeast of [[Independence, California|Independence]].<ref name=CGN>{{California's Geographic Names|1191 }}</ref> As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]], the population was 192, up from 134 at the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]].

Located in the [[Owens Valley]] next to the now mostly dry [[Owens Lake]], the arid settlement is home to a major bottled water plant for Crystal Geyser Natural Alpine Spring Water.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clui.org/clui_4_1/lotl/lotlsu99/flow.html |title=CLUI - Newsletter |access-date=January 12, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208022420/http://www.clui.org/clui_4_1/lotl/lotlsu99/flow.html |archive-date=February 8, 2007}}, Center for Land Use Interpretation.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.crystalgeyserasw.com/faq/ |title=CRYSTAL GEYSER ® ALPINE SPRING WATER ™- Frequently Asked Questions |access-date=January 12, 2007 |archive-date=January 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070114025255/http://www.crystalgeyserasw.com/faq/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{failed verification|date=May 2017}}

==Geography==

Olancha is an unincorporated community located in the [[Owens Valley]] on the eastern slope of the [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] mountain range at the elevation of {{convert|3650|ft|m}}, in [[Inyo County]], California. It is on US [[Highway 395]] near the junction of State Route 190, approximately {{convert|200|mi|km}} due north of Los Angeles. [[Owens Lake]] - a dry saline lakebed - lies to the northeast of Olancha. [[Olancha Creek]] flows from the slopes of nearby [[Olancha Peak]] (12,123&nbsp;ft), passing near the town of Olancha, and finally towards Owens Lake. To the east of town lie some sand dunes, as well as a hot spring known as "Dirty Socks".

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of {{convert|7.9|sqmi|km2}}, over 99% of it land.

===Climate===
According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Olancha has a [[semi-arid climate|cold semi-arid climate]], abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps due to it being in the [[rainshadow]] of the [[Sierra Nevada]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=17340&cityname=Olancha%2C+California%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |title=Climate Summary for Olancha, California |access-date=July 9, 2014 |archive-date=September 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917012627/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=17340&cityname=Olancha%2C+California%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |url-status=live }}</ref>

==History==
Olancha was established by Minnard Farley, who came to the area in 1860 and discovered silver [[ore]] in the nearby [[Coso Range]]. The name "Olancha" is believed to be derived from the nearby Yaudanche tribe. For processing the ore, he built a [[stamp mill]] just south of [[Olancha Creek]]. The remains of a stone wall from this mill still exists and has been designated as a California Historical Site (marker #796).<ref name=CHL>{{cite ohp|796|Farley's Olancha Mill Site|2012-10-07 }}</ref>

The first post office at Olancha opened in 1870.<ref name=CGN />

On August 11, 1969, Manson Family members Charles [[Tex Watson|"Tex" Watson]] and Dianne "Snake" Lake settled down in Olancha two days after Watson had stabbed Sharon Tate to death. Here, Watson bought a newspaper revealing that it still was a mystery who committed the Manson murders and confessed to Lake: "I killed her, Charlie (Manson) ordered me to do so, it was fun". This fact was witnessed by Lake during the Watson trial in 1971. Lake was shortly put into custody in Independence after complaints from Olancha inhabitants for swimming nude. After a few weeks the two of them left Olancha for the final Manson hideout in Death Valley.<ref>[http://www.aboundinglove.org/sensational/sen-007.php ''Will You Die For Me?''] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070404031914/http://www.aboundinglove.org/sensational/sen-007.php |date=April 4, 2007 }}, Watson's Manson memories, first published in 1978</ref>

==California Historical Landmark==
'''Farley's Olancha Mill Site''' is a [[California Historical Landmark]] number 796, assigned on September 16, 1964, on [[U.S. Route 395 in California]] in Olancha, California.

The California Historical Landmark reads:
:''NO. 796 FARLEY'S OLANCHA MILL SITE - In 1860, while working for the Silver Mountain Mining Company in the Coso Mountains, M. H. Farley conceived the idea of building a processing mill on a creek that flowed into Owens Lake. He explored and named Olancha Pass that year, and by December 1862 had completed the first mill and furnace in the Owens River Valley, on Olancha Creek about one mile west of this marker.'' <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.californiahistoricallandmarks.com/landmarks/chl-796 |title=californiahistoricallandmarks.com # 796 |access-date=December 7, 2020 |archive-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918143659/https://www.californiahistoricallandmarks.com/landmarks/chl-796 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Demographics==

===2010===
The 2010 United States Census<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0653490 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715032203/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0653490 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Olancha CDP |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=July 12, 2014 }}</ref> reported that Olancha had a population of 192. The population density was 24.4 people per square mile (9.4/km{{sup|2}}). The racial makeup of Olancha was 133 (69.3%) [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0 (0.0%) [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 4 (2.1%) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 8 (4.2%) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0 (0.0%) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 38 (19.8%) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 9 (4.7%) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 47 persons (24.5%).

The Census reported that 192 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 78 households, out of which 23 (29.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 44 (56.4%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 1 (1.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 5 (6.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 7 (9.0%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 0 (0%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 22 households (28.2%) were made up of individuals, and 6 (7.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46. There were 50 [[family (U.S. Census)|families]] (64.1% of all households); the average family size was 3.10.

The population was spread out, with 44 people (22.9%) under the age of 18, 9 people (4.7%) aged 18 to 24, 37 people (19.3%) aged 25 to 44, 69 people (35.9%) aged 45 to 64, and 33 people (17.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 115.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.9 males.

There were 97 housing units at an average density of 12.3 per square mile (4.8/km{{sup|2}}), of which 78 were occupied, of which 44 (56.4%) were owner-occupied, and 34 (43.6%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2%; the rental vacancy rate was 2.9%. 108 people (56.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 84 people (43.8%) lived in rental housing units.

===2000===
As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/ |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref> of 2000, there were 134 people, 50 households, and 38 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 18.4 people per square mile (7.1/km{{sup|2}}). There were 62 housing units at an average density of 8.5 per square mile (3.3/km{{sup|2}}). The racial makeup of the CDP was 53.73% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.75% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 5.97% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 9.70% from two or more races. 37.31% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 50 households, out of which 40.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 20.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 32.1% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $30,000, and the median income for a family was $46,250. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $26,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,124. There were 4.5% of families and 9.4% of the population living below the poverty line, including 17.2% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

==Politics==
In the [[California State Legislature|state legislature]], Olancha is in {{Representative|casd|4|fmt=sdistrict}},<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://senate.ca.gov/senators |title=Senators |access-date=April 11, 2013 |publisher=State of California |archive-date=December 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226090409/https://www.senate.ca.gov/senators%0A |url-status=live }}</ref> and {{Representative|caad|8|fmt=adistrict}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://assembly.ca.gov/assemblymembers |title=Members Assembly |access-date=April 11, 2013 |publisher=State of California |archive-date=December 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226090407/https://www.assembly.ca.gov/assemblymembers%0A |url-status=live }}</ref>

Federally, Olancha is in {{Representative|cacd|3|fmt=district}}.<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|8 |access-date=April 11, 2013 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[California Historical Landmarks in Inyo County]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://oldshowbiz.tumblr.com/tagged/olancha/ Olancha in Popular Culture]
{{Inyo County, California}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Census-designated places in California]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Inyo County, California]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Mojave Desert]]