Kearsarge Station (Citrus), CA

Kearsarge Station is located just a short distance from Highway 395 outside of Independence, CA in Inyo County. From 395 turn East on Mazourka Canyon Road for 4.49 miles. The scattered remains of Kearsarge are located on the right side of the road. There are a number of markers in place that are visible from the road.

Kearsarge began life in 1866 as a stage depot under the name of Independence. By 1888 the name was changed to Citrus, and was again changed in 1913 to Kearsarge Station. A post office operated here during the “Citrus” years from 1888-1905, and again from 1907-1910.

In 1883 the stage depot was transformed into a railroad station along the Carson & Colorado Railroad line. The Carson & Colorado Railroad ran from Mound House, NV to nearby Keeler, CA. Along with a station house there was a house for the station manager and a bunk house for the train hands. The station at Kearsarge operated until June 29th, 1932, and the station was torn down in 1955.

The remains of Kearsarge are sparse. A few foundations remain, a small part of the original track lies along the railroad grade, and old broken glass and rusty cans litter the landscape. What I believe to be a pet cemetery is also located here with small markers with names like “Tiki,” “Duke,” and “Clyde.”

For more information on the Carson & Colorado Railroad a trip to Laws, CA is highly recommended. The station at Laws has been turned into an amazing railroad museums.