Near Lee Vining in Mono County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Bennettville

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 23, 2011

1. Bennettville Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

One mile west is the site of Bennettville. Originally located as the Sheepherder Mine in 1874 by William Bruskey and relocated by Thomas Bennett, President of the Great Sierra Consolidated Silver Mining Company as the Tioga Mines. The claim and visions of a rich silver lode drew thousands to the site of Bennetville. In 1882, eight tons of mining equipment were brought from Lundy via the Tioga Crest and across Saddlebags Lake to the mine. The need for a better way to get mining equipment to Bennetville and ore out prompted the building of the Tioga Road. The road, from the Big Oak Flat Road to Bennettville, was completed in 1883. No ore was ever mined or any hauled. By 1890, the mine was closed and the Tioga Road was little more than a pack trail.

Erected 1985 by E Clampus Vitus, Bodie Chapter No. 64.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Resources • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 37° 56.306′ N, 119° 15.028′

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W. Marker is near Lee Vining, California, in Mono County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Saddlebags Lake Road and Tioga Pass Road (California Highway 120), on the right when traveling east. Saddlebags Lake Road is 7 miles west of Lee Vining and 1 mile east of the Yosemite National Park entrance. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lee Vining CA 93541, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Tioga Pass Road (approx. 1.2 miles away); Would-Be Miners and Occasional Tourists (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named Tioga Pass Road (approx. 2 miles away); Yosemite Ghost Mines (approx. 3.3 miles away); Lundy (approx. 6.2 miles away); Sheriff James P. Dolan (approx. 6.9 miles away); Grave of Adeline Carson Stilts (approx. 7.1 miles away); Lee Vining (approx. 7.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lee Vining.

Regarding Bennettville. Ruins of the mining town still remain and are accessible by a walk of about 15 minutes from the nearby campground. Site is only accessible during the summer months.

Also see . . .
1. Bennettville. History of Bennettville along with current photos of the site. (Submitted on December 1, 2011.)

2. Bennittville. From Ghost Mines of Yosemite (1958) by Douglass Hubbard:
Of the dozen or more buildings which once graced Bennettville only two remain today—
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 23, 2011

2. Bennettville Marker
the old stable and what probably was the assay office. In the shadow of Mount Dana they have weathered quietly to a golden brown. Burned wood outlines the foundations of the company office and a large warehouse. The fate of the other buildings is not known. (Submitted on December 1, 2011.)

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 23, 2011

3. Bennettville Marker

Tioga Pass Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer

4. Tioga Pass Road

Tioga Pass is a seasonal highway and is closed to traffic during the winter.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 641 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 29, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of the buildings and mine ruins. • Can you help?