It was the site of the
Battle of Mayfield Canyon during the
Owens Valley Indian War in 1862. During the battle Colonel
William Mayfield, leader of the
Owens Valley settler
militia, was killed. His name was given to the canyon. The site of the Battle of Mayfield Canyon was designated
California Historical Landmark number 211 on June 20, 1935. The California Historical Landmark reads: :
NO. 211 MAYFIELD CANYON BATTLEGROUND - On April 8, 1862, a body of troopers and settlers entered Mayfield Canyon (named for one of the settlers) to fight the Indians supposed to be there. However, the Indians had evacuated the canyon so the group made camp at its mouth. The next day they went up the canyon again, but this time they were forced to retreat to Owens Valley. ==See also==