Benton & Benton Hot Springs

For over 170 years, Benton, California, has provided weary travelers with accommodations, supplies, and relaxing hot springs. It started as a station stop and became a supply and milling center for Blind Spring Hill mines. Benton still welcomes travelers with therapeutic waters and historical charm.

Benton

Native Americans were the first to use the hot springs west of the White Mountains. In 1852, with the mining booms, the springs became a stopping point for travelers. A decade later, with gold and then silver discovered in the surrounding hills, Benton grew and became one of the first towns in Mono County.

Benton became a supply center for the region and, by 1865, had the largest population of any town in Mono County. Services included a Wells Fargo office, butcher, stores, boarding houses, hotels, and saloons: the Bentonian, a semi-weekly newspaper operated in the 1880s.

Benton thrived for half a century. Even though most mining ceased by the 1890s, it clung to life.

Benton Station

The Carson and Colorado Railroad arrived four miles east of the town site in 1883. The stop was named Benton Station, but in the late 1800s, the town of Benton declined, and Benton Station assumed the name.

Benton Hot Springs

The hot springs remained popular for visitors with a health spa, dude ranch, hotel and pools.

Nevada State Prison break

On September 17, 1871, twenty-seven inmates escaped from the Nevada State Prison in Carson City. Juries had convicted them of murder, horse thievery and train robbery. The escaped gang attacked the Captain of the Guard, who was locking them in their cells. They broke into the armory and acquired guns, shooting Warden Denver and others. A posse captured and hanged two escapees.

One group headed south into Mono County, California. Charlie Jones, a convicted murderer, led the group. Billy Poor, a mail rider on his first day of work, ran into the group at Monte Diablo Creek. Worried Poor would report their location, the convicts murdered him, taking his clothing and mount. Outraged, locals formed a posse. Robert Morrison, Benton’s storekeeper, was deputized to pursue the prison escapees. The final standoff was at Monte Diablo Lake. Jones was eventually recaptured and executed. Since the standoff, Monte Diablo Lake has been known as Convict Lake.

Visiting Benton now

In the 1930s, the Bramlettes purchased the entire town site and preserved the history through Historic Benton Hot Springs.

The Inn at Benton Hot Springs has a variety of accommodations, including a cabin moved from Blind Spring Hill. Most rentals include a hot spring, many of which are private.

WANT MORE GHOST TOWNS?

For information on more than five hundred ghost towns in Nevada & California, visit the Nevada Ghost Towns Map or a list of Nevada ghost towns.

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References

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References

• The Inn at Benton Hot Springs
• Mono County Tourism
• Wikipedia: Benton
• Wikipedia: Benton Hot Springs

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