Keeler

Ore from the nearby smelters at Swansea and Cerro Gordo were taken by ship from Keeler across Owens Lake to the furnaces at Cartago. Keeler also served as a supply center for the nearby mines and was the terminus for the Carson & Colorado railroad, which reached the town in 1883. The town was originally named Hawley but was later changed to Keeler after Julius M. Keeler who first established the town.

Keeler also has the unenviable title of Dust Storm Capital of the USA, due to its location on the eastern edge of Owens (Dry) Lake where the alkali dust is thickest.

There are several original buildings in the town as well as a handful of residents. It is worth a stop to look around before heading off into the Inyo Mountains to Cerro Gordo.

Keeler is on CA-136 about 5 km southeast of Swansea.