Bridgeport in Mono County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Masonic
Photographed By Lester J Letson, September 27, 2008
1. Masonic Marker
Marker is located on an outcropping of granite to the left of the Rock Cabin in Lower Masonic.
(bullet holes were digitally removed.)
(bullet holes were digitally removed.)
Although gold was discovered here in 1860, it was not until about 1900 that Joseph Green staked the rich Jump Up Joe Mine. On the Fourth of July, 1902, J. S. Bryan and Caleb Dorsey made an exciting find and called it the Pittsburg-Liberty to honor a birthplace and a date. Fraternal background determined the name to be attached to this camp which eventually evolved into three sections known as Lower, Middle and Upper Town. In 1908, Masonic promised to be one of the major mining camps of the West, but the yellow metal followed no pattern. Roch pockets were found and exhausted, then Phillips' broken body was found at the bottom of a shaft. Was it a slip, or was treachery afoot that night?The ghosts of Masonic have many secrets.
Erected 1970 by Bodie Chaper, E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1902.
Location. 38° 21.983′ N, 119° 7.108′ W.
Photographed By Lester J Letson, September 27, 2008
2. Masonic Marker
View of marker in its current state showing bullet holes.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. East Walker Toll House (approx. 5.2 miles away); First Bridgeport Courthouse (approx. 9½ miles away); Old County Jail (approx. 9.6 miles away); "Bridgeport Inn" (approx. 9.7 miles away); Mono County Memorial Hall (approx. 9.7 miles away); Bridgeport Chronicle-Union (approx. 9.7 miles away); Frontier Justice (approx. 9.7 miles away); Bridgeport Elementary School (approx. 9.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bridgeport.
More about this marker. Marker was put up in 1970 to the left of the Rock Cabin in Lower Masonic. Since that time the brass marker has been vandalized with 2 bullet holes.
Regarding Masonic. Masonic is a turn of the century gold mine town that is slowly decaying. There are still recognizable log cabins in the area, but most have fallen down.
Also see . . . Masonic. Ghost Towns entry. (Submitted on September 16, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional keywords. Mining
Photographed By Lester J Letson, September 27, 2008
3. Rock Cabin
Rock cabin sits to the right of the marker. The rock walls are still in good condition, but the roof timbers have caved in.
Photographed By Lester J Letson, September 27, 2008
4. Rock cabin timbers
view from inside the Rock Cabin
Photographed By Lester J Letson, September 27, 2008
5. Another Upper Masonic cabin
Photographed By Lester J Letson, September 27, 2008
6. Masonic Mine and stamp mill ruins
The ruins of the Masonic stamp mill and other structures
Photographed By Lester J Letson, September 27, 2008
7. Masonic
Close up of the upper structure
Photographed By Lester J Letson
8. Masonic tram line
Picture shows the tram line structure on the hill across the valley. Ore was once run across the small valley by cables to the stamp mill structure.
Photographed By Lester J Letson, September 27, 2008
9. Upper Masonic cabin
cabin from Upper Masonic
Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 825 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on November 7, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
