Mayfield Canyon lies on the east side of the Sierra Nevada northwest of Bishop in eastern California, and is significant both as a feature of Owens Valley country and as the scene of fighting during the Owens Valley Indian War. In April 1862, troopers and settlers entered the canyon believing Indians were there, but it had already been evacuated. After camping at the mouth, they returned the next day and were driven back to Owens Valley. Colonel William Mayfield, leader of the Owens Valley settler militia, was killed in the action, and the canyon was named for him. The battleground was later designated California Historical Landmark No. 211 on June 20, 1935.