What's left of Masonic!
   
It was a cloudy Thursday morning in early September.  The sun was just beginning to rise over Mono Lake as I rolled past Lee Vining and headed north to Bridgeport.  I wanted to find  the remains of a ghost town called Masonic.  From 1902 through 1907 this was a thriving gold mine with a several small communities on its flanks.  I followed Highway 395 past Bridgeport to Highway 182 towards the end of the Bridgeport Reservoir where a small sign pointed the way to Masonic.  About nine miles up a dirt road I came to the remains this once prosperous mine.  All that's left is what you see in the photographs below.  A large frame structure and several large water tanks, and an old white house.  The entrance to one mine is behind the old mill but looks to be too dangerous to enter. 
   

To see the enlarged version of any of these pictures please left click on the picture.

Masonic Water Storage Tank  

Masonic Cross  

                              
  It was cold,  very quiet and very spooky as I got out of my warm car and began taking pictures of the old ruins.  The sun was just beginning to rise in the east and ghosts of Masonic were whispering to me in their own quiet way:  Make us look good.  I did my best.
   

Old Truck and Sun Spots  

   

Collapsing Timbers  

                  
I worry that this magical structure could be so easily destroyed by vandals.  It deserves to be preserved.  Perhaps the state of California can take it over and help protect what's left of this interesting place for my children and grand children to visit someday. 
   

Masonic, Old Smelter and Storm Clouds  

  

Old Smelter and Hulk  

 I believe these pictures are self explanatory so will just let them speak for themselves.
   

Bridge Port Restored City Hall   

Mine Entrance  

The Bridgeport county court house is a very interesting building.  It was across the street from the little restaurant so I took it's picture.  The old  mine entrances behind the mil looked for boding. so I stayed back.  I walked around and shot a number of pictures, got back in my car around ten in the morning and headed back to Bridgeport.  The Magic Raven's feet were starting to hurt and he was hungry.  It was time for brunch. 
   

All photographs in this web site are registered ® to Philip Lawrence Ronney and may not be used without his expressed written consent
   

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