LUNDY

NAME: Lundy
COUNTY: Mono
ROADS: 2WD
GRID #(see map): 3
CLIMATE: Snow in winter, mild to hot in summer.
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
Summer
COMMENTS: Semi-Ghost. 6 miles west of HWY 395 just north of Lee Vining. Seasonal summer residents only. The lakes and camping make it a popular tourist stop. The actual mines are accessed by trail and you will most likely not encounter a single sole up at the mining ruins.
REMAINS:
Extensive mine and mill ruins, crumbling cabins, and too many mines to explore in a day!

The May Lundy mine was organized in 1879 after promising gold discoveries. Lundy was a thriving town in its day with all the expected establishments; saloons, boarding houses, hotels and even a Chinatown. Avalanches were a known threat and were responsible for many deaths. That and the high cost of mining operations were most likely the reasons for the towns rapid decline. By 1884 the May Lundy suspended operations. Several smaller attempts were made to take over until the 1920's but none were successful. Remains of the originaly town of Lundy can be found at the west end of Lundy Lake and extensive ruins and mining equipment can be found by Onieta Lake. The surrounding hillside are covered with smaller mines and ruins.

Submitted by: Cat Evans


two giant wheels that are now found at the Lundy Lake, CA resort. They originally came from Mono Mills, CA and are wheels once attached to a horse drawn log dragging apparatus to take logs cut from the forest to the railhead for final transportation to Mono Mills for reduction to finished lumber. Photo taken August 20, 1999.
Courtesy David A. Wright


Small graveyard containing victims of the March 1911 twin avalanches that flattened two hydroelectric powerplants located at Lundy and Jordan. August 20, 1999.
Courtesy David A. Wright


Small graveyard containing victims of the March 1911 twin avalanches that flattened two hydroelectric powerplants located at Lundy and Jordan. Site of the Jordan powerplant a mile across the valley indicated by arrow. August 20, 1999.
Courtesy David A. Wright


Site of the Jordan hydroelectric powerhouse, destroyed by an avalanche March 1911. There were only two survivors, a Mrs. Mason, who lived for two days buried under the snow with the body of her dead husband and her surviving dog, whose bodily warmth helped to keep Mrs. Mason alive. August 20, 1999.
Courtesy David A. Wright


View, from the water discharge area of the Pelton flywheel that spun Jordan's hydroelectric turbines, up the face of Copper Mountain; the source of the deadly March 1911 avalanche that snuffed out the lives of several people. August 20, 1999.
Courtesy David A. Wright


Site of the Lundy hydroelectric powerplant. As was Jordan hydroelectric powerplant, this one too was demolished by an avalanche in March 1911. Mr. D.O. Knowelton was on duty when the slide hit, snuffing out his life. Ruins are of the regulator house. August 20, 1999.
Courtesy David A. Wright


Remains of the Lundy hydroelectric powerplant penstock pipeline that collected water high up the mountainside and carried it down the mountainside to a giant Pelton Wheel generator. August 20, 1911.
Courtesy David A. Wright


Lundy
Courtesy Cat Evans


Lundy
Courtesy Cat Evans


Lundy
Courtesy Cat Evans


Remains of the Lundy hydroelectric powerplant penstock pipeline that collected water high up the mountainside and carried it down the mountainside to a giant Pelton Wheel generator. August 20, 1911.
Courtesy David A. Wright


Remains of the Lundy Reduction Works, situated at the end of "Chicago Avenue" of the former village of Lundy. The primary mines were high above the camp. August 20, 1999.
Courtesy David A. Wright


Old automobile slowly returning to the earth at the site of the former Lundy village. August 20, 1999.
Courtesy David A. Wright


The remains of the bunkhouse of the Parrett Mill. August 20, 1999.
Courtesy David A. Wright


Historic Lundy shot from old Frasher Foto postcard.
Courtesy David A. Wright


Historic photo of the May Lundy Mine.
Courtesy David A. Wright

 

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