It surprises me how many treasures lay waiting to be discovered by the unsuspecting traveler. I have explored much of the area around Bodie and the Sweetwater Range but had no idea trees were hiding two historic ghost town cabins.
In October, I spent thirty hours with friends exploring the less-known locations around the ghost towns of Bodie and Aurora. The first evening was a night run to Blanchard Toll Station. Wheeling in the full moon and later in deep canyons was amazing; it was Zen-like driving lit only by Jeeps.
Blanchard Toll Station
at Midnight
We woke early the following day and following a hearty breakfast at El Capitan, started our loop from Hawthorne to Bodie and Aurora and back to Hawthorne. We stopped briefly at Lucky Boy, then continued west and headed up a road I had seen but never taken. My thoughts were on the well-known ghost towns; I was like a kid in a candy store as we rounded the corner and saw the miner’s cabins. Some trips are about discovered history; others are about the experience. So, after a refresher on bear etiquette, we were off to explore the ghost town.
Many ghost towns in California and Nevada have little evidence of human activity. It is unusual to find intact structures in this condition.
Masonic Mining Distirct
In 1860 a group of Freemasons from Monoville found gold 10 miles northeast of Bridgeport. They named the area Masonic after their order, but more significant regional strikes drew them away, and the claims remained undeveloped. In 1900, 16-year-old Joe Green from nearby Bodie rediscovered Masonic and founded the Jump Up Joe Mine. He had no capital to work the mine so he sold the claim.
Sporadic mining occurred until July 4, 1902, when partners John Stuart Phillips, Caleb Dorsey, and John M. Bryan struck gold. They named the mine Pittsburg-Liberty Mine in honor of Phillips’ hometown and Independence Day. “Pittsburg” was not spelled with an “H” at that time.
The Masonic Mining District was formed, encompassing six by twelve miles of the Bodie Hills, twelve miles northeast of Bridgeport, and sixteen miles northwest of Bodie. The district bordered Nevada, and some Masonic District claims were registered in Esmerelda County, Nevada.
The peak of mining activity in the Masonic District occurred between 1906 and 1911. After that, production was sporadic due to uneven ore deposits and the processing required. The Masonic post office closed on November 11, 1927, with service transferred to Bridgeport. Limited mining continued unto the 1930s, but the veins were shallow, and miners did not develop shafts more than a few hundred feet in depth. Between 1930 and 1960, so little production occurred it was not recorded for the district.
Ruins
The 1917 California Bureau of Mines report of Alpine, Inyo, and Mono Counties did not list the Masonic Cabins. However, construction techniques and equipment around the cabins appear to date the ghost town to the 1930s with round head wire nails and a metal roof.
Larger Abandoned Cabin
Smaller Abandoned Cabin
Ghost Towning
Sometimes my radio scares me, it’s like it’s watching me.
Following Masonic Miner’s Cabins, we headed to Bodie, a stamp mill, Blanchard’s Toll Station, and Aurora.
10-19-2021
References
- California Bureau of Mines. Mines of Alpine, Inyo, and Mono Counties, California. California Bureau of Mines, 1917. Pages 156-161.
- Diggings: Masoinc Mining District
- The Diggings: 8752
- High Desert Drifters: Pierrini Mine
- Inspectapedia: History & Photos of Nails
- Minedat: Masonic Mining District
- Mono County: Mineral Resources
- USGS: Gold-Silver Mining Districts, Alteration Zones, and Paleolandforms in the Miocene Bodie Hills Volcanic Field, California and Nevada
- US Mining: CA Gold Mines in Mono County
- Wedertz, Frank S. Mono Diggings. Historical Sketches of Old Bridgeport Big Beadows and Vicinity. Chalfant Press, 1978. Pages 219-226.
- Western Mining History: 10031505
Scott Lyman says
As always pretty cool stuff.
Tami says
Thanks, made my day. Masonic is a cool town, I want to go back and explore more.
Bryan Engebritson says
Tami,
I think it’s time for you to have your put into a coffee table book! Your writing is bad ass, your pictures are bad ass!
You can sell your books at the Candy Dance.
Bryan says
Your work. . I forgot the work part , sorry
Tami says
Thank you, that made my night. I had a publisher contact me and I had a book laid out. Then they sent me a terrible contract.
I am trying to decide what type of book would sell the best, and be a good place to start. A coffee table book is an option, as it a collection of my articles and photos. Or maybe somewhere in between.
Tina Forkner says
As a watercolor artist, I truly love to paint history. Old building and automobiles thrill me! Bodie is absolutely my favorite! Everything has a way of going back to the earth and becoming a part of the landscape. Everything also has a story to tell. I really appreciate you sharing your photos along with your enjoyable well written stories. Thank you Tami!
Tina
Tami says
I wish I had the talent to paint. I am seriously the person who can’t draw a stick figure.
Jim. says
It’s great to see these cabins still standing and relatively complete. Also interesting is the fact that the grader is still there. I hope it stays there. Thanks for the photos.
Tami says
I’m very thankful these are still intact. Fortunately I think the grader was too big to take out.
John says
I have a sign on my cars audio that says “Afraidio”. It scares me too :). I also put an arrow on my steering wheel that says “Direction Indicator”. That way I always know where I’m going :). Thank you for the Nevada history stuff – Reno native here. Cheers
Tami says
That is awesome 😉
Roger Peterson says
You always find good stuff! We live through your pictures you know!
Been to Bodie and Aurora once 10 years ago…..great weekend.
Tami says
Friends show me a lot of places as they know I will appreciate and document the site. I’m so glad you have enjoyed the pictures.
Bodie is always a fun trip, but there is so much more in the area.
Chris Woodward says
Tami,
Another awesome awesome article with amazing photos. The summer of ‘21 when I got my Jeep, my wife and I went camping at twin lakes with some friends. I was anxious to try out my new lift and oversized tires and found a trail description from the walker river canyon north of Bridgeport up and over Masonic mtn, through the town of Masonic, then south over the range to Bodie. I have some similar photos of the stone miners shack, the remains of the ore tram and of course the extreme high altitude beauty. I have future goals to explore further. I agree with an earlier post regarding a book. I’m thinking a coffee table book with your photos and adventure/history narrations would be awesome. Also a guide book on places you’ve been with directions and photos, or suggested trips with different locations and sights to see/explore. I would definitely purchase all of them and I’m sure lots of my friends and the local Jeep community would as well.
Tami says
That sounds like a great trip!
I am leaving today to take my son back south. When I get home I have a few things to finish like 2023 in review, historical sites around Reno and ghost towns between Reno and Las Vegas. (Most are done but I need to get them finished.) After that I’ll get an appointment with the editor and discuss options.
I would purchase a guide book like that too! Due to several reasons, I would likely never write it. Mostly it is to protect the sites. If people have to work a little, they respect historical sites more. Also, as we saw this year, road conditions change overnight, even for what are considered good roads.