DAY 3

Land Acquisition

As the superintendent of the Metropolitan Water District, Benjamin Eaton sought new sources of water to sustain the booming LA area population.  He turned his sights to the Owens River running east of the Sierra Nevadas and south of Mammoth Lakes though the Owens Valley, 240 miles away from LA!  

Remember our young ditch digger? His name was William Mulholland. He had by now become a valued employee with MWD. Eaton turned to him for ideas about how to make water flow from the the Owens Valley to southern California. Together, they dreamt up a wild plan to build an aqueduct that would transport water from the Owens Valley through the Mojave Desert to Los Angeles. Mulholland was named the chief engineer of the project. 

Beyond the topographic challenges of the plan, they had a few obstacles to overcome. The plan involved land that was already owned by private parties; farmers who were operating in the rich, fertile Owens Valley. Never daunted by a challenge, in 1905 Eaton showed up in the Owens Valley sporting all the wealth of Hollywood “in an automobile” no less. He visited the farmers and offered 3-4 times the expected amount for their land. Under the impression that he represented the federal government (a misperception that he did not take pains to correct), and dazzled by his charm and wealth, the farmers one by one accepted the offers. And, oh, by the way, Eaton secured a few heads of cattle and land for himself personally. As non-land owners, the Paiute native Americans living in the vicinity were not consulted. LA Times July 29, 1905 

Thus, the land necessary for the construction of the revolutionary Los Angeles Aqueduct was acquired. Almost! You will recall that Benjamin Eaton purchased some of the land for himself.  According to his plan for personal gain in his wildly successful business endeavor, he now attempted to sell his fortunate acquisition to the Metropolitan Water District at a higher cost, so as to allow the MWD to move on with its plans. Upon learning of the breach of trust, William Mulholland refused to negotiate with Eaton.  He purchased land nearby and diverted the construction plans around Eaton’s property. The construction of the LA Aqueduct began in 1908. It was the end of the Eaton- Mulholland friendship.