Dorothy Cragen dies at age 92 after life as educator, historian and writer

BISHOP – Dorothy Clora Cragen, who helped make and preserve Inyo County history, died 
Dec. 29 at the Northern Inyo Hospital.  She was 92.

Mrs. Cragen was involved in Inyo County public education for 32 years, serving 16 years as 
county superintendent of schools.  She later became director of the Eastern California Museum 
in Independence and worked on several other historical projects.

Mrs. Cragen also published poetry, short stories, historical articles and a book.

Funeral services were held Monday at the Independence Methodist Church.  Following is an 
account of Mrs. Cragen's life, as told by her granddaughter and only survivor, Candace Ross of 
Bishop.

Dorothy Clora Cragen was born in Fountain, Indiana, Aug. 9, 1891.  She was the youngest of 
eight children born to Robert Bruce and Nancy Lathrop.

Her father enlisted at age 16 as a Union soldier in the Civil War.  One of Mrs. Cragen's souvenirs 
was a cannonball shot at her father that he pried out of a nearby log.

Her father died when Mrs. Cragen was nine years old and the family moved to Weatherford, 
Okla.

At age 17, she married Frank Smith, and her only child, Mavis Smith, was born in 1910.  Mrs. 
Cragen put herself through college, graduating from Southwest Teachers College in Weatherford 
in 1913.

In 1922, the family moved to California where Mrs. Cragen's brother, Charley had already 
settled.  She continued her education at the University of Southern California, earning her 
administrative credential in education.  She also taught school in Huntington Beach.

In 1928, the family moved to Lone Pine, where both Mrs. Cragen and her daughter taught school 
during the Depression years.

After teaching six years, Mrs. Cragen worked as a supervisor in the Inyo County Schools Office, 
and then was elected to four terms as superintendent of schools.  

Following her career in education, Mrs. Cragen became director of the Eastern California 
Museum for 10 years, retiring at age 76 in 1967.  During those years, she served on many 
historical committees and was instrumental in the marking of many countywide historical sites 
with California historical markers and in the preservation of Inyo County artifacts and historical 
items.

She was also instrumental in the building of a new museum building and the saving of the Black 
Collection of Indian baskets and beads for the museum and the restoration of the commander's 
house.  She donated several antiques for its furnishings.

In 1945, Mrs. Cragen and her daughter purchased the companion house, the old fort hospital 
building, where Dorothy lived for 36 years.  She operated the Fort Independence Antique Shop 
from the front porch of the house for several years.

Writing was another special interest for Mrs. Cragen.  She was active in the Inyo Writer's Guild 
and wrote short stories, poetry and historical articles.

Many of her historical pieces were published in the Inyo Independent, as well as a regular 
column called "Round About the Museum" for 25 years.  She also published the monthly Eastern 
California Museum newsletter for many years, and served as president and secretary of the 
association.

In 1954, Mrs. Cragen published a volume of poetry, illustrated by Aim Morhardt, titled "My 
Land".

For more than 25 years she researched Camp Independence, a military post founded in 1862 on 
Oak Creek by Second Cavalry California volunteers.  The research included trips to Sacremento 
and the Library of Congress in Washington D. C., and visits with Hallie Lane Evans, daughter of 
General eorge S. Evans, founder of the fort.

In 1975, Mrs. Cragen's book, "The Boys in the Sky-Blue Pants: The Story of Camp 
Independent", was published.

Mrs. Cragen was a member of the Council of Abandoned Military Posts and received national 
recognition for her book in the council's newsletter.

Mrs. Cragen also was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 50 years.

She also joined the Pioneer Methodist Church in Independence.  Donald Lathrop officiated at the 
services held at the church Monday.  Pallbearers were Johnny Baxter and his son, Jim, of Hemet, 
Tom Ross of Bishop, Harold Bingham of Bishop, Turney Cornwell of Independence, and Al 
Aikolaus of Independence.

Inyo Register, Bishop, Inyo County, California
January 4, 1984 – Page Three
Transcribed by Denise S. Flynn for Inyo County GenWeb, July 2, 2005