Zurich, California was originally named Alford before its 1923 renaming by Emelie Nikolaus, who thought the Sierra Nevada resembled the Swiss Alps. This ghost town served as a Carson & Colorado Railway stop that transformed Owens Valley’s isolated communities. Today, you’ll find only scattered foundations and railway remains about 2 miles east of Big Pine along Highway 168. The site’s weathered ruins hold stories of frontier life waiting to be uncovered beneath the surface.
Key Takeaways
- Originally named Alford, Zurich was renamed in 1923 after Emilie Nikolaus suggested it resembled the Swiss Alps.
- Located near Big Pine along Highway 168 (coordinates 37.181884, -118.261186), the site is accessible by standard vehicle.
- The town was established as a stop on the Carson & Colorado Railway, which transformed isolated mining communities.
- Only scattered building foundations and railway siding remains exist today, with no intact structures surviving.
- The ghost town site has not undergone systematic excavation and offers potential for archaeological discovery.
From Alford to Zurich: The Evolution of a Railroad Town
Before the name Zurich graced the maps of the Owens Valley, this small settlement was known simply as Alford. You’d have found it nestled on the eastern side of the valley near the Owens River, established as a strategic stop along the Carson & Colorado Railway in the late 19th century.
The settlement history of this community was defined by agricultural pursuits and the rhythmic arrival of trains. As the railroad breathed life into Alford, an economic transformation took hold—farms flourished, livestock multiplied, and a bustling hub emerged. The name change to Zurich occurred because the surrounding peaks resembled the Swiss Alps in winter. The official renaming happened in 1923 after local resident Emelie Nikolaus suggested the Swiss-inspired name.
The Carson & Colorado Railway: Lifeline of the Owens Valley
While settlements like Zurich dotted the Owens Valley landscape, it was the Carson & Colorado Railway that truly stitched together the region’s economic fabric. Incorporated in 1880, this narrow gauge railroad began at Mound House, Nevada, and eventually snaked its way through the eastern side of Owens Valley.
You’d have witnessed the railroad’s significance in transforming isolated mining camps into connected communities.
- The “Slim Princess” provided the only practical transportation for Tonopah’s bonanza period mining operations
- Rails reached Hawthorne by 1881, creating essential stage connections to Aurora and Bodie
- Mining transportation included ore cars and supplies that kept eastern valley mines operational
- The Inyo Development Company shipped extracted soda from Owens Lake via the C&C
- Strategic stations like Laws and Bishop Creek became regional hubs, establishing the valley’s economic framework
Local residents were frustrated with the railroad’s eastern placement and campaigned for a west side railway to better serve population centers. Railroad magnate Darius Ogden Mills famously remarked that the Carson & Colorado was either “300 miles too long or 300 years too soon.”
Exploring What Remains: Archaeological Footprints
Today’s visitor to Zurich will find only whispers of its past existence scattered across the landscape. Unlike neighboring Owens Valley ghost towns with their standing structures, Zurich’s archaeological footprint consists merely of scattered building foundations and railway siding remains.
Foundation analysis reveals the town’s original layout, though without the vertical elements that typically bring ghost towns to life. Every fragment and outline in the terrain tells a story of those who once inhabited this forgotten settlement. The absence of intact structures suggests materials were salvaged or weathered away in the harsh climate that alternates between cool, windy winters and scorching summers.
The site’s archaeological significance remains largely unexplored, as no systematic excavations have been conducted. Originally named Alford in 1884, Zurich Station served as an important transportation hub for the eastern Big Pine area until its closure in 1960.
This sparse landscape presents an opportunity for geophysical surveys to detect hidden features beneath the surface—the final chapters of Zurich’s story waiting to be uncovered by those seeking freedom in these forgotten places.
The Swiss Connection: How Zurich Got Its Name
A single railway agent’s wife forever changed California’s map when the town of Alford became Zurich in 1923. Emilie Kikolaus, who hailed from Zurich, Switzerland, saw in the snow-capped Sierra Nevada a reflection of her Alpine homeland.
Moved by this resemblance, she convinced her husband, the Carson & Colorado Railroad agent, to petition for the station’s renaming—a reflection of how personal heritage shapes our landscape. Like many ghost towns of California, Zurich eventually faded into obscurity as mining prospects diminished and residents sought opportunities elsewhere. This pattern of boom and bust was common as resource extraction communities throughout the state faced similar fates when their economic foundations collapsed.
- The snow-covered mountains evoked powerful memories of the Swiss Alps
- Unlike many Western towns named for resources or founders, Zurich honored immigrant roots
- The name change preserved Swiss heritage in a region with few European cultural landmarks
- No Swiss settlement existed—just one woman’s nostalgic connection
- Railroad officials approved the change, immortalizing a personal story on official maps
Planning Your Visit to the Ghost Town Site
Visitors can find the remnants of California’s Swiss-named ghost town, Zurich, approximately 2 miles east of Big Pine along Highway 168, just east of the Owens River. The coordinates (37.181884, -118.261186) will lead you straight to the historical site, easily accessible with any standard vehicle.
The best seasons to explore are spring and fall when temperatures remain mild. Summer brings intense heat, while winter introduces cool, windy conditions and potential snow by late autumn. You’ll want daylight hours for ideal exploration.
For visitor preparations, remember there are no facilities at the site. Bring water, supplies, and wear sturdy footwear for traversing the uneven terrain. Unlike Calico Ghost Town, which offers various attractions and amenities, Zurich remains largely undeveloped.
While exploring the foundations, railroad siding, and stock ramp remains, respect historical markers and leave artifacts undisturbed. Like many California ghost towns established in the mid-1800s, Zurich represents an important piece of the state’s development history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happened to the Meysan Family During the 1872 Earthquake?
You’d remember the Meysan family’s fate during the 1872 earthquake—their adobe home collapsed, killing 11-year-old Alice. In the earthquake aftermath, they rebuilt with wood, preserving one standing wall as evidence.
Were Any Movies or Television Shows Filmed at Zurich?
While Hollywood captured nearby ghost towns, Zurich’s film history remains blank. You won’t find any television productions documented there—a stark contrast to its neighboring Bodie and Calico, which boast extensive cinematic legacies.
Did Any Notable Gunfights or Crimes Occur in Zurich?
You won’t find gunfight history or crime legends in Zurich’s past. Unlike other Wild West settlements, this quiet railroad town’s story lacks documented violence or outlaw tales worth remembering.
What Native Tribes Originally Inhabited the Zurich Area?
You’d find the Plains Miwok, Patwin, and Nisenan peoples in this area, each with rich tribal history and cultural significance connected to the land’s natural resources and seasons.
Are There Any Known Buried Treasures or Artifacts at Zurich?
You might imagine gleaming treasure chests, but no buried artifacts or treasure legends exist at Zurich. Historical records show only railroad remnants – the site’s true legacy isn’t gold but transportation history you’re free to explore.
References
- https://www.ghosttowns.com/states/ca/zurich.html
- https://nvtami.com/2024/04/26/owens-valley-ghost-towns/
- https://dornsife.usc.edu/magazine/echoes-in-the-dust/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_California
- https://fotospot.com/attractions/california/zurich-station-sign
- https://nvtami.com/inyo-county-california-ghost-towns/
- http://harryhelmsblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/ghost-town-of-zurich-california.html
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=92763
- https://noehill.com/inyo/poi_zurich_station.asp
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S5vGYJ0jRA
