MONO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

by Tom Ashworth

LOCATION

COUNTY:Mono County

STATE:California

Gold mining began in Mono County in 1862, with a total production of 1,176,200 ounces through 1959, with activity continuing today. At the Blind Springs Hill district, you will find the Diana, Comet, Comanche, mines which were mainly copper, silver with a byproduct gold. In the Benton district, there are area lode mines with gold, lead, silver. In the Bodie district and State Monument to the ghost town in township 4N. range 27E, discovered 1860 had a total production through 1959 of 1,456,300 ounces of lode gold. There are many area old mines and dumps with gold showings. On slopes above the town of Bodie, the Standard Mine, was the principal producer. In the Casa Diablo Mountains, at Mammoth Lakes, there are scattered small mines and prospects for lode gold. In the Paterson, in the Sweetwater Range, there are area silver mines that had a by product of lode gold. At Tioga Pass, there are area quartz veins and stringers in granite with gold showings.

DOG CREEK

At Bridgeport near headwaters of the Walker River, you will find Dog Creek which had very productive placers. North of Mono Lake, the Bodie Diggings had good placer gold. Northeast and east of the East Fork of the Walker river, just north of Masonic Mountain, in township 6N. range 26E, you will find the Masonic district. The area had many small mines, and the Pittsburgh Liberty Mine, was a major producer to district's total production of about 34,000 ounces of lode gold.

VIRGINIAN CREEK

At Bridgeport near headwaters of the Walker River, you will find Virginian Creek which had very productive placers. North of Mono Lake, the Bodie Diggings had good placer gold. Northeast and east of the East Fork of the Walker river, just north of Masonic Mountain, in township 6N. range 26E, you will find the Masonic district. The area had many small mines, and the Pittsburgh Liberty Mine, was a major producer to district's total production of about 34,000 ounces of lode gold.

WALKER RIVER

Is said to contain gold.