Inyo County Superior Court, California

Built in Neo-Classical style in 1921, the courthouse in the Owens Valley town of Independence was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. The courthouse was built before the City of Los Angeles purchased the majority of land in and around Independence and diverted water south along the Los Angeles Aqueduct to the growing and thirsty city. By 1926 the diversions had completely dried out Owens Lake. The battle over water from Owens Valley inspired the 1974 film Chinatown. (Chris Marshall / CNS)