Inyo County’s early years brought major challenges for the original settlers, especially for peacekeepers. The first sheriff, W.A. Greenly, served only one year, and many officials resigned after just one or two years. Territorial and mining claims were often disputed, and townships saw many shootings, robberies, and drunken brawls, while many crimes went unreported because the sheriff had to travel such great distances. From 1866 to the mid-1950's, the sheriff deputized local civic-minded citizens with little or no training, most of them farmers, ranchers, business owners, and miners, who responded when called upon. In 1870, John B Clarke donated the land for the construction of this building, which was enlarged as the population grew and housed the Justice court, City Police, Inyo County Sheriff, Tax Collector, and jail cells. The old jail cell windows remain intact on the north side, and the original brickwork and additions can be seen on the south side.