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

West Portal

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. West Portal Marker

Inscription. East of this site was located West Portal, the largest of 4 'camps' or company towns, built in 1934 by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for employees and their families who worked on the Mono Basin Project. At the height of construction, the town had over 200 residents and 26 buildings. And for its time, it had many 'modern' conveniences - telephones, electricity, gas, mail service, paved roads, water and sewer systems (a metropolis by Mono County standards). By 1941 the project was completed and within a few years the town was abandoned. Although its existence was brief, West Portal made a lasting contribution to the development of Mono County. Today, its remnants can be seen near the base of the Mono Craters.

Erected 1997 by the Bodie Chapter No. 64, E Clampus Vitus; the U.S. Forest Service, Mono Lake Ranger District; and the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location. 37° 50.549′ N, 119° 4.065′ W. Marker is in Lee Vining, California, in Mono

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County. It is on Viewpoint Road ¼ mile east of U.S. 395, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lee Vining CA 93541, 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: Legend of June Lake Slot Machines (approx. 3 miles away); Grave of the Unknown Prospector (approx. 3.3 miles away); Bloody Canyon (approx. 3.3 miles away); June Lake Mining District (approx. 4.4 miles away); Carson’s Camp (approx. 4.4 miles away); Dream Mountain Rope Ski Tows (approx. 6 miles away); Navy Beach (approx. 6.4 miles away); Mono Mills (approx. 6.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lee Vining.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 3, 2008

2. West Portal Marker

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 3, 2008

3. West Portal Marker

In the background, Mono Lake is to the left of the marker, and Mono Craters to the right.

West Portal circa 1935 image. Click for full size.

Photo provided courtesy of the Pomona Public Library, circa 1935

4. West Portal circa 1935

View towards West Portal site and Mono Craters from marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 3, 2008

5. View towards West Portal site and Mono Craters from marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2008, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 2,663 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 1, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 6, 2008, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.