Lee Vining in Mono County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Upside-Down House
Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 6, 2008
1. Upside-Down House Marker
Note — the picture is not upside-down, the marker is displayed like this near the door to the Upside-Down House.
A distinctive local landmark and nationally renowned tourist attraction. It was the creation of - Nellie Bly O’Bryan (1893–1984), visionary, entrepreneur and long time resident of the Mono Basin.
Originally, located along US-395 north of the Tioga Lodge, it was inspired by two children’s stories—“Upside Down Land” and “The Upsidedownians.” Upon her death in 1984 The Upside-Down House fell into disrepair until....October 9, 2000 when it was rescued and moved to this site.
Although its tenure as Mono County’s first “man-made” tourist attraction was brief (1956–1968), it made a lasting contribution to the promotion and development of the Eastern Sierra.
Erected 2001 by E Clampus Vitus, Bodie Chapter No. 64 and the Mono Basin Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Women. In addition, it is included in the Believe It or Not, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is October 9, 1825.
Location. 37° 57.527′ N, 119° 7.159′ W. Marker is in Lee Vining, California, in
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lee Vining (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mono Lake (approx. 0.9 miles away); Sheriff James P. Dolan (approx. 1½ miles away); Grave of Adeline Carson Stilts (approx. 4 miles away); Mandated Mono Lake Level (approx. 5.1 miles away); Grave of the Unknown Prospector (approx. 5.2 miles away); Bloody Canyon (approx. 5.6 miles away); Navy Beach (approx. 5.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lee Vining.
More about this marker.
Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 6, 2008
2. Upside-Down House and Marker
Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 6, 2008
3. Inside Upside-Down House
Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 6, 2008
4. Upside-Down House
Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 6, 2008
5. Mono Basin Historical Society Museum
Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 20,925 times since then and 111 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week August 31, 2008. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 12, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4. submitted on December 27, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on November 3, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
