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Location: Heading north from Bridgeport, CA on Hwy. 182, turn right at Masonic road (approximately 4 miles north of town). Follow the dirt road up into the mountains for about 6 miles. Note: you will pass a mine and mill on the right side of the mountain in a couple of miles. This is not Masonic but it is an interesting side trip.
History: Masonic was founded after gold was discovered here in August of 1902. Joseph Green found a rich ledge just 12 miles northeast of Bridgeport. This deposit was named the Jump Up Joe mine and was quickly sold to Warren Loose of Bodie. More discoveries were made by 1907 and a camp was formed. Within a few years, the camp consisted of 3 separate "towns", Upper town, Middle town, and Lower town and a population of 500. Middle Town was the center of "entertainment" and could claim a post office, store, hotel, a couple of boarding houses, and 2 saloons. Residents used middle town for supplies. The mine produced $600,000 in gold before the Pittsburg Liberty mining company went bankrupt in 1910. The mine has been reworked at various times since.
The mill was built near a small spring in the upper reaches of the mountain and the area has several small springs nearby. These springs have been fouled by animals and should not be used for drinking water. Always carry your own water. There is little left now to designate the three townsite's. A dirt road heads southeast from the area of Middletown towards Bodie. Years ago we followed the road into Bodie coming down a rough section from the northwest. When we told the Bodie park ranger how we got in without paying they let us out for free.
Masonic used to be a quiet respite from the hectic east side of the Sierras but the last time I was in the area, the dirt road seemed as busy as most town roads when at least 10 cars and trucks drove by.
Reference: Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps by Stanley W. Paher and Desert Magazine, Feb. 1966, page 35.
