What is the Laws Railroad Museum?

Slim Princess Engine No.9

Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior, and designated by the State of California as Historical Landmark # 953, the Laws Railroad Museum and Historical Site is not just another train museum.

Located on the site of the Laws Railroad station and rail yard, the land, 1883 depot and other buildings, and the last train, were donated to Inyo County and the City of Bishop by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1960.

At the time that the railroad shut down its operations, the village of Laws which had grown up around the rail yard had disappeared. That village has been recreated by moving in historic buildings from around the Owens Valley...

 

Choo Choo Swap Meet October 7, 2023

Choo Choo Swap Meet 2023While weather disrupted many of Laws’ plans this Spring, it couldn’t have been nicer for the May 6th Choo Choo Swap Meet.

The semi-annual swap meet has been a major event in Bishop for several decades, and is now a joint endeavor of and benefit for the Laws Railroad Museum & Historical Site, and the Bishop Sunrise Rotary Club.

Now is the time to begin planning for the next event, which will be held this fall on October 7th.

 

Support the Conway Ranch House

In 1983, with generous citizen donations from the public as well as support from the private sector of the community, the “Conway House” was ceremoniously escorted to its present location at the Laws Museum, where, for the past forty years, it has given tens of thousands of visitors a glimpse into Owens Valley pioneer life.

But...after forty years at the museum, the Conway House is in need of help from the community once more. A generous grant from Inyo County allows us to begin the process of upkeep of this historic home. However, we are still a bit short of the needed funds for reroofing , exterior patch and painting of this old ranch house.

Thanks for your support.

 

Rollin', Rollin', Rolling... --Maybe

Southern Pacific Engine No9 Renovation Project

You heard it here first!

We are renovating Slim Princess No9 including paint, smoke box repair, and: --hold on to your socks-- a boiler test. You read that right, we are exploring the possibility of restoring engine No9 to live steam operations!

Exciting, right? --But we will need your help to meet our financial goal.

Find out more about how you can support this project.

 

Library Fundraiser Update

Did you know our church/library was the original Catholic Church in Bishop located on West Elm Street? The entire structure was moved to Laws in a single piece in 1976.

The 100-year anniversary of Father Crowley’s Catholic Church, now the Laws Railroad Museum and Historical  Site Library and Art Center, was honored this year with a beautifully executed face lift, with new exterior siding and paint.

The 1923 church building remains in need of plaster repair and paint for its interior walls, and to make the entrance ADA compliant by replacing the ramp, rails, and steps. We’d like to keep up the good work. Can you help?