Tecopa, California

{{Use American English|date=April 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement |official_name = Tecopa |settlement_type = Unincorporated Community Census Designated Place |image_skyline = Tecopa California 5.jpg |imagesize = |image_caption = Tecopa from the southwest |image_seal = |image_map = Inyo_County_California_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Tecopa_Highlighted.svg |mapsize = 250x200px |map_caption = Location in Inyo County and the state of California |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = | pushpin_map = USA | pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = California |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = Inyo |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name = |established_date =  |area_magnitude = | unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 11, 2025}}</ref> | area_total_sq_mi = 18.658 | area_land_sq_mi = 18.589 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.068 | area_total_km2 = 48.323 | area_land_km2 = 48.146 | area_water_km2 = 0.177 | area_water_percent = 0.37 | area_note =

|elevation_ft = 1545 |elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |population_as_of = 2020 |population_footnotes = |population_total = 120<ref>{{cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile/Tecopa_CDP,_California?g=1600000US0678050 |website=data.census.gov |access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref> |population_metro = |population_density_km2 = auto |population_density_sq_mi = auto |timezone = Pacific (PST) |utc_offset = -8 |coordinates = {{coord|35|50|54|N|116|13|35|W|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}} |timezone_DST = PDT |utc_offset_DST = -7 |postal_code_type = ZIP code |postal_code = 92389 |area_code_type = Area codes |area_code = 442/760 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 06-78050 |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = 2410062<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410062}}</ref> |footnotes = |website = }} [[File:Canyon scene along road into the China Ranch, CA.jpg|thumb|Badlands along the road to the China Ranch date farm, south of Tecopa]]

'''Tecopa''' is a census-designated place (CDP) in the Mojave Desert in southeast Inyo County, California, United States. As of the 2020 census, Tecopa had a population of 120.<ref name="Census2020PLLede">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N&for=place%3A78050&in=state%3A06|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=March 6, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> Originally occupied by the Koso and Chemehuevi Indians, pioneers began populating what would become the CDP in the late 19th century to support nearby mines. It is now better known for the natural hot springs in the northern part of the CDP.

==Regional history==

The Old Spanish Trail and the later wagon road called the Old Mormon Road or Salt Lake Road, passed from Resting Springs, east of the modern site of Tecopa, 7 miles to Willow Creek (fed by Willow Spring within China Ranch Wash on the east bank of the canyon of the Amargosa River (then called Saleratus Creek)), south of Tecopa. In 1859, ''The Prairie Traveler'', a popular handbook for overland travelers at that time described it: <blockquote>The spring is on the left of the road, and flows into Saleratus Creek. Animals must not be allowed to drink the Saleratus water."<ref name=Traveler>[https://web.archive.org/web/20030510102500/http://www.kancoll.org/books/marcy/mai06txt.htm Randolph Barnes Marcy, THE PRAIRIE TRAVELER. A HAND-BOOK FOR OVERLAND EXPEDITIONS. WITH MAPS, ILLUSTRATIONS, AND ITINERARIES OF THE PRINCIPAL ROUTES BETWEEN THE MISSISSIPPI AND THE PACIFIC., PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT, 1859; ITINERARY VI. From Great Salt Lake City to Los Angeles and San Francisco, California. Distances from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles] from the Kansas Collection website accessed 05/22/2015</ref> </blockquote>

There the trail turned to follow the river south to Salt Springs.<ref name=Waybill>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eTW0_PLn7QcC&pg=PA321|title=Journals of Forty-niners: Salt Lake to Los Angeles: with Diaries and Contemporary Records of Sheldon Young, James S. Brown, Jacob Y. Stover, Charles C. Rich, Addison Pratt, Howard Egan, Henry W. Bigler, and Others|first1=LeRoy Reuben|last1=Hafen|first2=Ann Woodbury|last2=Hafen|date=1 January 1998|publisher=University of Nebraska Press|isbn=0-8032-7316-9 |access-date=26 July 2022|via=Google Books}}</ref>

China Ranch Wash is named for the Chinese man known as either Quon Sing or Ah Foo, who developed Willow Creek around 1900 and raised meat and vegetables to sell to the miners.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.chinaranch.com/history |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=China Ranch |language=en}}</ref>

==History of the community==

===Original town=== In 1875, brothers William D. and Robert D. Brown, had discovered lead and silver ore at what would become the Resting Springs Mining District and began promoting it. They established a townsite, calling it Brownsville, {{convert|5|mi|km|0}} southeast of Resting Springs near the head of Willow Creek.<ref name=CGN>{{California's Geographic Names|1207}}</ref> Kasson, California was nearby. A camp was established at the site as mines were developed at Noonday Mine in the late 1870s.<ref name=CGN /> Jonas Osborne bought out the Browns, and renamed the townsite after Paiute leader Chief Tecopa.<ref name=CGN /> The camp grew into a town; in 1877 a post office began operating at there.<ref name=CGN /><ref name="myrick">{{Railroads of Nevada and Eastern California 2|page=593}}</ref>

In 1878, it was determined that the townsite was 300 yards within Inyo county, settling a dispute with San Bernardino County of who controlled the township. Soon thereafter, the town went into decline, with most of the miners moving to Resting Springs in July 1879. Inyo County Sheriff William Welch considered Tecopa a costly mistake because, "it costs five cents a pound freight from San Bernardino here."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.vredenburgh.org/mining_history/pages/resting_springs.htm | title=Early History of Resting Springs, Inyo County, California }}</ref> The original townsite was occasionally occupied but never revived and in 2006 the Amargosa Conservancy acquired it for preservation purposes <ref>{{cite web | url=https://pvtimes.com/news/fundraiser-set-for-amargosa-trailhead-project/ | title=Fundraiser set for Amargosa trailhead project | date=13 November 2013 }}</ref>

The townsite is currently located in the vicinity of "The Triangle", a small piece of land surrounded by the arms of three "Y's" at the intersection of two roads. It was reestablished in 1907 when the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad reached the site, which was the closest point from the railroad to the mines.<ref name="myrick" /> A post office opened at the new site in 1907, was closed in 1931, and reopened in 1932.<ref name=CGN /> A church, some homes and seasonal eating establishments are also located by the Triangle.

===Hot Springs=== The road heading north of the Triangle leads to the Hot Springs zone of the community where the State of California made indemnity selections in 1927. The State subsequently sold parcels to private citizens. In the early 1960s, writer John Gregory Dunne documented that several low-income retirees were squatting in trailers within the zone.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) granted a 40 acre "Recreational and Public Purposes" (R&PP) lease to Inyo County for county-run facilities. The Hot Springs area is currently where the community center, fire station, library, several tourist facilities and some homes are located.

===Tecopa Heights===

The Triangle is the west endpoint of the Old Spanish Trail (OST) Heading east, the OST Road passes Tecopa-Francis Elementary School<ref>{{cite web |title=Tecopa-Francis Elementary - School Directory Details (CA Dept of Education) |url=https://www.cde.ca.gov/schooldirectory/details?cdscode=14632716008759 |website=www.cde.ca.gov |access-date=18 November 2023}}</ref> (now closed) to the intersection with the Furnace Creek Road. Southwest of the intersection is most populous part of the community, originally known as "Jackrabbit Flat." In the 1950s, the General Land Office, then the BLM began offering parcels under the authority of the ''Small Tract Act of 1938'' as recreational properties to become known as "Jackrabbit Homesteads.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/life/2021/03/28/history-jackrabbit-homesteading-california-desert/7030816002/ | title=History: Jackrabbit homesteading gets its start in the midcentury }}</ref> The first round of five acre parcels were proofed and patented prior to 1959. After a change in policy, a second round of parcels were offered at fair market value by BLM. The lands offered under the first two rounds remain largely undeveloped. The third round of 2.5 acre parcels were offered in 1964 to provide inexpensive land for housing retirees that were squatting at the Hot Springs. Seven parcels were sold, six of which were purchased by the Thilenius and Parrish families who subdivided them and developed water systems. Those parcels now constitute the densest population of what is now known as "Tecopa Heights," the area offered under the Small Tracts Act. The cemetery is on the west side of Tecopa Heights.

Since Tecopa lacks proper water infrastructure that is capable of properly filtering ground water to state standards, the Southern Inyo County Fire Protection District in 2014 received a grant to install a water kiosk for the community. The community water kiosk was opened in 2017 east of Tecopa Heights on an R&PP lease granted by the BLM.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://pvtimes.com/news/a-warning-in-tecopa-dont-drink-the-water/ | title=A warning in Tecopa: Don't drink the water|website=Pvtimes.com | date=29 June 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://pvtimes.com/news/vending-machine-brings-clean-water-to-tiny-california-town/ | title=Vending machine brings clean water to tiny California town |website=Pvtimes.com| date=13 September 2017 }}</ref>

==Geography== In 1976, the U.S. Congress designated the federal lands within the CDP part of the "California Desert Conservation Area" in Title VI, Section 601 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Tecopa is on the east side of the Amargosa Range which lies between the CDP and Death Valley, which was designated a National Park in the California Desert Protection Act of 1994 CDPA. The Nopah Range, a designated wilderness area in the CDPA, is to the east.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of {{convert|18.7|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|18.6|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.1|sqmi|km2}} of it is water.

==Economy== Historically, Tecopa's economy was based on silver and lead mining.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.vegasunderworld.com/war-eagle.html | title=War Eagle|website=Vegasunderworld.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.vegasunderworld.com/noonday.html | title=Noonday |website=Vegasunderworld.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.mojaveunderground.com/abandoned_mines_gallery/abandoned_mines_in_california/tecopa_mines/ | title=Tecopa Mines |website=Mojaveunderground.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vredenburgh.org/mining_history/pdf/1997SBCMAv44n2.pdf|title=The Early History of the Resting Springs Mining District|website=Vredenburgh.org|access-date=26 July 2022}}</ref > Those mines closed in 1957, by which time retirees were moving to the area to enjoy the hot springs. Nearby mines for other minerals such as talc continued operating for another 25 years, providing employment for a few citizens of the area. Tourism to the hot springs increased and Tecopa began slowly transitioning to an ecotourist and resort area.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://inyocountyvisitor.com/tecopa/#:~:text=Named%20after%20Paiute-Shoshone%20Indian%20chief%20Tecopa%20was%20a,concessionaire%20with%20RV%20sites%20and%20a%20small%20store. | title=Tecopa|website=Inyocountyvisitor.com}}</ref>

A major attraction in the area is the Tecopa Ecological Reserve,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Tecopa-ER | title=Tecopa Ecological Reserve|website=Wildlife.ca.gov}}</ref> which hosts an undeveloped natural ground-fed hot spring.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.ultimatehotspringsguide.com/tecopa-mud-hot-springs.html | title=Tecopa Mud Hot Springs|website=Ultimatehotsapringsguide.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.daytrippen.com/tecopa-hot-springs-death-valley-side-trip/ | title=Tecopa Hot Springs Death Valley Side Trip|website=Daytrippen.com| date=8 March 2021 }}</ref> However, the natural hot spring is subject to closure because of impacts to protected Amargosa vole (a subspecies of ''Microtus californicau'') habitat from camp fires and human waste.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lawsuit: Partiers at popular hot spring endangering voles who live there |url=https://pvtimes.com/news/lawsuit-partiers-at-popular-hot-spring-endangering-voles-who-live-there-115306/ |website=Pahrump Valley Times |access-date=31 January 2023 |date=8 December 2022}}</ref>

Agriculture in Tecopa is limited, revolving mostly around date farming<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/china-ranch-date-farm | title=China Ranch Date Farm |website=Atlasobscura.com}}</ref> and cannabis cultivation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inyocounty.us/sites/default/files/2021-08/August%202021%20License%20Availablity.pdf|title=COUNTY COMMERCIAL CANNABIS PERMITTING OFFICE|website=Inyocounty.us|access-date=26 July 2022}}</ref>

The town has a growing microbrewery and bakery scene that caters to the patrons of Tecopa's three hot springs resorts during the fall and winter seasons.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pvtimes.com/entertainment/tecopa-restaurants-opening-for-season-with-new-offerings-75518/ | title=Tecopa restaurants opening for season with new offerings|website=Pvtimes.com | date=25 September 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2020-01-10/tecopa-foodie-haven-hiking-hot-springs | title=Discover hiking, hot springs and a secret foodie haven just outside Death Valley | website=Los Angeles Times | date=10 January 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://inyocountyvisitor.com/tecopa/ | title=Tecopa |newspaper=Inyo County Tourism Information Center | Inyo County Visitor Guides and Maps}}</ref>

==Arts and culture== Tecopa holds an annual firehouse fling in November. It is hosted by the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District as a way to raise funds for the rural fire department<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://pvtimes.com/news/14th-annual-firehouse-fling-event-planned-for-saturday-106388/ | title=14th annual Firehouse Fling event planned for Saturday|website=Pvtimes.com | date=5 November 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.tecopahotspringscampground.com/event/firefighters-bazaar-and-flea-market/ | title=Firehouse Fling and Flea Market|website=Tecopahotspringscampground.com | date=7 September 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://pvtimes.com/community/9th-annual-firehouse-fling-in-tecopa-on-saturday/ | title=9th annual Firehouse Fling in Tecopa on Saturday|website=Pvtimes.com | date=18 November 2016 }}</ref>

In November, Tecopa also hosts the Tecopa Takeover Music Festival, which began in 2014<ref>{{cite web |title=November arts and culture in desert communities near Pahrump, Nevada |url=https://pvtimes.com/community/november-arts-and-culture-in-desert-communities-near-pahrump-76995/ |website=Pahrump Valley Times |date=30 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tom Saitta at the HUBB and first Tecopa Takeover this weekend |url=https://pvtimes.com/community/tom-saitta-at-the-hubb-and-first-tecopa-takeover-this-weekend/ |website=Pahrump Valley Times |access-date=18 November 2023 |date=14 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Las Vegas Jam Band Society - Tecopa Takeover 9 at Tecopa Hotsprings (Band Schedule Included) |url=https://lasvegasjambandsociety.wildapricot.org/event-5455014 |website=lasvegasjambandsociety.wildapricot.org}}</ref>

==Demographics== {{US Census population |2000= 99 |2010= 150 |2020= 120 |estyear= |estimate= |estref= |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1860–1870<ref name=1870CensusCA1>{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-12.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><ref name=1870CensusCA2>{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1880-1890<ref name=1890CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1890/bulletins/demographics/134-population-of-ca.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1900<ref name=1900CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/10-population-ca.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1910<ref name=1910CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 8, 2025|archive-date=August 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823050629/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf}}</ref> 1920<ref name=1920CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-ca-number-of-inhabitants.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1930<ref name=1930CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch03.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1940<ref name=1940CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch03.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1950<ref name=1950CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-08.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1960<ref name=1960CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-d.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1970<ref name=1970CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ca1-01.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1980<ref name=1980CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caAB-01.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1990<ref name=1990CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2000<ref name=2000CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-6.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> }}

Tecopa first appeared as a census designated place in the 2000 U.S. census.<ref name=2000CensusCA/>

===2020=== The 2020 United States census reported that Tecopa had a population of 120. The population density was {{convert|6.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Tecopa was 103 (85.8%) White, 2 (1.7%) Native American, 1 (0.8%) Asian, and 14 (11.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6 persons (5.0%).<ref name=DP1>{{cite web |title=Tecopa CDP, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?g=1600000US0678050 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref>

The whole population lived in households. There were 74 households, out of which 8 (10.8%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 24 (32.4%) were married-couple households, 3 (4.1%) were cohabiting couple households, 20 (27.0%) had a female householder with no partner present, and 27 (36.5%) had a male householder with no partner present. 38 households (51.4%) were one person, and 15 (20.3%) were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 1.62.<ref name=DP1/> There were 34 families (45.9% of all households).<ref>{{cite web |title=Tecopa CDP, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDHC2020.P16?g=1600000US0678050 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref>

The age distribution was 4 people (3.3%) under the age of 18, 1 person (0.8%) aged 18 to 24, 19 people (15.8%) aged 25 to 44, 48 people (40.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 48 people (40.0%) who were 65{{nbsp}}years of age or older. The median age was 59.0{{nbsp}}years. There were 51 males and 69 females.<ref name=DP1/>

There were 147 housing units at an average density of {{convert|7.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}, of which 74 (50.3%) were occupied. Of these, 32 (43.2%) were owner-occupied, and 42 (56.8%) were occupied by renters.<ref name=DP1/>

==Infrastructure== ===Transportation=== Public transportation in Tecopa is operated by Eastern Sierra Transit Authority as a fixed route lifeline service to residents of Tecopa to Pahrump twice a month.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.estransit.com/routes-schedule/community-routes/tecopa-to-pahrump/|title=Tecopa to Pahrump|website=Estransit.com|access-date=December 23, 2021|archive-date=January 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116223229/https://www.estransit.com/routes-schedule/community-routes/tecopa-to-pahrump/}}</ref> In October 2020, service was suspended because the contractor serving this route, Pahrump Senior Center, sold the route to a third-party vendor and failed to meet contractual obligations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.estransit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ESTA-Board-Agenda-Packet-October.pdf|title=ESTA Board Meeting|date=October 16, 2020|website=Estransit.com|access-date=26 July 2022|archive-date=December 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223063504/https://www.estransit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ESTA-Board-Agenda-Packet-October.pdf}}</ref> Eastern Sierra Transit Authority is in the process of finding an alternative provider for the Tecopa bus route<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.estransit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ESTA-Board-Agenda-Packet-Nov-12-2021.pdf |title=ESTA Board Meeting|date=November 12, 2020|website=Estransit.com|access-date=26 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.estransit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ESTA-Board-Agenda-Packet-Dec.pdf|title=ESTA Board Meeting|date=December 11, 2020|website=Estransit.com|access-date=26 July 2022}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Utilities=== Tecopa receives electrical power through Southern California Edison.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cecgis-caenergy.opendata.arcgis.com/documents/electric-utility-service-areas/explore | title=Electric Utility Service Areas|website=Cecgis-caenergy.opendata.arcgis.com}}</ref> There is no gas utility serving Tecopa.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cecgis-caenergy.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/california-natural-gas-service-area/explore?location=34.760558%2C-115.452301%2C8.03 | title=California Natural Gas Service Area|website=Cecgis-caenergy.opendata.arcgis.com}}</ref> The community instead relies on propane gas deliveries from companies located in Pahrump<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shoshonepropanegas.com/|title=Shoshone Propane Gas | Propane Gas Delivery and Service in Pahrump, Tecopa, Beatty, Indian Springs|website=Shoshonepropanegas.com|access-date=26 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.amerigas.com/locations/propane-offices/nevada/pahrump | title=AmeriGas Propane in Pahrump, Nevada | Propane Refills & More |website=Amerigas.com}}</ref>

The telephone carrier for Tecopa is AT&T.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/-/media/cpuc-website/divisions/communications-division/documents/network-exam-documents/network-exam-ch-3-ca-ilec-overviewpublic-per-d2012021redacted.pdf|title=CALIFORNIA ILEC NETWORK OVERVIEW|website=Cpuc.ca.gov|access-date=26 July 2022}}</ref> The county acknowledges that AT&T fails to maintain their network by providing unreliable telephone and internet service. The community instead relies on fixed wireless internet service providers and satellite internet<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.inyocounty.us/services/planning-department/long-range-projects-plans-and-studies/community-plans-charleston-view | title=Community Plans for Charleston View and Tecopa | Inyo County California|website=Inyocounty.us }}</ref>

Tecopa does not have residential waste services. Instead, residents use communal dumpsters, which are serviced by Pahrump Valley Disposal.<ref>{{cite web |last1=County of Inyo Board of Supervisors |title=Agenda May 25, 2021 |url=https://www.inyocounty.us/sites/default/files/2021-05/20210525AgendaOnly.pdf |publisher=County of Inyo |access-date=20 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pahrump Valley Disposal |url=https://candswaste.com/locations/nevada/pahrump/pahrump-valley-disposal/ |website=C&S Waste Solution |access-date=20 July 2022}}</ref>

==Politics and government== In the state legislature, Tecopa is in {{Representative|casd|4|fmt=sdistrict}},<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://senate.ca.gov/senators |title=Senators |access-date=October 18, 2025 |publisher=State of California}}</ref> and {{Representative|caad|8|fmt=adistrict}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://assembly.ca.gov/assemblymembers |title=Members Assembly |access-date=October 18, 2025 |publisher=State of California}}</ref>

Federally, Tecopa is in {{Representative|cacd|3|fmt=district}}.<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|3|access-date=October 18, 2025}}</ref>

===Education=== Children in Tecopa attend schools operated by Death Valley Unified School District.<ref name=InyoCoSDMap2020>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st06_ca/schooldistrict_maps/c06027_inyo/DC20SD_C06027.pdf|title=2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Inyo County, CA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|place=Suitland, Maryland|date=December 18, 2020|page=3 (PDF p. 4/4)|access-date=2026-04-22}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st06_ca/schooldistrict_maps/c06027_inyo/DC20SD_C06027_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

===Library=== The Tecopa Branch Library, of the Inyo County Free Library provides internet access to community members who lack affordable internet.<ref>{{cite web |title=Library Branches {{!}} Inyo County California |url=https://www.inyocounty.us/services/inyo-county-free-library/library-branches |website=www.inyocounty.us |access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref>

===Public Safety=== Law enforcement services to Tecopa are provided by the Inyo County Sheriff's Office<ref>{{cite web |title=County Locations {{!}} Inyo County California |url=https://www.inyocounty.us/services/county-administrators-office/county-locations |website=www.inyocounty.us |access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref>

Fire fighting services is provided by Southern Inyo Fire Protection District, which is headquartered in Tecopa.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://5280fire.com/home/other-states-fire-apparatus-stations/california/southern-inyo-fire-protection-district/ | title=Southern Inyo Fire Protection District }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://usfiredept.com/southern-inyo-fire-protection-district-21568.html|title=Southern Inyo Fire Protection District | Tecopa, CA|website=usfiredept.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=RE: Inyo County Grand Jury Report on School Fire Safety Inspection|publisher=Southern Inyo Fire Protection District|last=Flinchum|first=Robin|date=27 July 2022|access-date=30 June 2024|archive-date=21 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121063133/https://www.inyo.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/2022-county-inyo-grand-jury-response-so-inyo-fire-dist.pdf|url=https://www.inyo.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/2022-county-inyo-grand-jury-response-so-inyo-fire-dist.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome |url=https://southerninyofire.wordpress.com/home/ |website=Southern Inyo Fire Protection District |access-date=23 February 2023 |language=en |date=29 September 2010}}</ref>

===Cemetery=== Cemetery services in Tecopa have been managed by the Tecopa Cemetery District since February 2022<ref>{{cite web |title=GCC: Tecopa Cemetery District (2021) < Special Districts |url=https://publicpay.ca.gov/Reports/SpecialDistricts/SpecialDistrict.aspx?entityid=621&year=2021&rpt=0 |website=publicpay.ca.gov |access-date=4 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF INYO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, APPOINTING INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS TO THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE TECOPA CEMETERY DISTRICT AND DIVESTING ITS AUTHORITY AS THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE TECOPA CEMETERY DISTRICT |url=https://civicclerk.blob.core.windows.net/stream/INYOCOCA/3ae31845-e990-4e4e-b336-decf02293860.pdf?sv=2021-10-04&st=2023-05-04T18%3A04%3A47Z&se=2024-05-04T18%3A09%3A47Z&sr=b&sp=r&sig=yLC7H2A2x4mU%2FvfooZEAEfCf21kzQat2FXPmZSuSX54%3D |website=Inyo County Board of Supervisors |publisher=Inyo County |access-date=4 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Minutes February 22, 2022 |url=https://www.inyocounty.us/sites/default/files/2022-03/20220222Minutes.pdf |website=Inyo county Board of supervisors |publisher=inyo county |access-date=4 July 2023}}</ref>

===In popular culture=== Tecopa was the subject of an extended article by writer John Gregory Dunne published in ''The Saturday Evening Post'' in 1965 and reprinted in Dunne's book ''Quintana & Friends'', published by E. P. Dutton in 1978.

==See also== *Lake Tecopa *Tecopa Lake Beds — geologic formation.

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Census-designated places in Inyo County, California Category:Populated places in the Mojave Desert Category:Springs of Inyo County, California Category:Census-designated places in California Category:Old Spanish Trail (trade route) Category:Mormon Road