June Lake in Mono County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Legend of June Lake Slot Machines

Slot Machines Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 2, 2025

1. Slot Machines Marker

Inscription. During the 1930's in central Mono County, demand for gaming entertainment skyrocketed with the influx of hundreds of employees working on the Mono Basin Project. To accommodate the workers, many local bars and cafes installed slot machines. Although illegal, there use in Mono County thrived for many years. Unfortunately, upon completion of the aqueduct in 1941 and transfer of all workers, demand for this activity diminished. Within a few years most slot machines were voluntarily removed. It was rumored that the last slot machines were hastily dumped into June Lake in the middle of the night by local merchants in response to an imminent raid by the State Revenue Agents, however, the legend of the slot machines did not end there. Over the years, numerous attempts to locate them by special cold water dive teams failed. Although no one has inserted a coin into one and pulled the handle, many people still gamble on hitting the jackpot and finding those "one armed bandits" at the bottom of June Lake, forever lost? Time will tell.

Erected 2010 by Bodie Chapter 64, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

37° 47.95′ N, 119° 3.819′ W. Marker is in June Lake, California, in Mono County. It is at the intersection of North Shore Drive and June Lake Loop (California Route 158), on the left when traveling west on North Shore Drive. Located in a parking lot near the south end of the June Lake Loop, three miles west of Highway 395. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: June Lake CA 93529, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Carson’s Camp (approx. 1.8 miles away); June Lake Mining District (approx. 1.9 miles away); West Portal (approx. 3 miles away); Dream Mountain Rope Ski Tows (approx. 3½ miles away); Legend of Deadman (approx. 5.6 miles away); Bloody Canyon (approx. 6 miles away); Grave of the Unknown Prospector (approx. 6.2 miles away); Lost Cement Mine (approx. 7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in June Lake.

More about this marker. The Marker is shaped like a slot machine and has belt buckles belonging to three deceased members of the Bodie Chapter of E Clampus Vitus showing on the slot reels.

Regarding Legend of June Lake Slot Machines. The rest of the legend is that the slot machines were dumped in such a haste, they were not emptied. They are thought to hold a small fortune in old silver dollars.

2. Slot Machines Marker

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 23, 2011

3. Slot Machines Marker

Marker is shaped like a slot machine with an actual slot handle, reels, slot, light, and catch bin. The reels have been replaced by Bodie Chapter of E Clampus Vitus brass belt buckles.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 2, 2025

4. Slot Machines Marker

Sign at Highway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 2, 2025

5. Sign at Highway

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 9,286 times since then and 305 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week April 22, 2012. Photos: 1. submitted on November 10, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on August 20, 2017, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. 3. submitted on October 27, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4, 5. submitted on November 10, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.