We have been driving through Bridgeport, CA on our way to all points North, mostly Carson City and Reno, NV, for many years. One of those picturesque mountain towns that you always say you want to stop in but seemingly never do...until I made a point of going there for the day. We made it our destination and had a wonderful day exploring and meeting some nice people and learning more about local history.
Bridgeport is the Mono county seat and has been since 1863. It's most distinguished landmark is the County Courthouse, Victorian in design, and built in 1880. It is the second oldest courthouse in the state of California to still be in use.
Our first stop of the day though was behind the courthouse, the Mono County Museum. It is located in the old Bridgeport schoolhouse in the picture. It served as the local school from 1880-1964. It was great fun to see everything from real hobnail boots to beautiful Victorian dresses. Farm implements, barb wire collections and even a rare portable, folding bathtub! History of the local, determined pioneer families and surrounding mining towns of Mono as well as an entire room devoted to an amazing Native American basket collection. Beautiful examples of Paiute and Miwok basketry collected by Ella Cain. Ella Cody was born in Bodie, an infamous mining town, and became a teacher there in 1900. She married Victor Cain in 1904. She amassed a striking collection.
After the museum tour we headed over to the local cemetery as I like to look at memorial carvings and it gives you an added look at the local families and where they came from. Stones sometimes have a lot of information on them and the carvings have a language all of their own. I'll touch on that in another blog as it is really interesting.
We then headed out through Bridgeport Valley, miles of pasture with cattle grazing, large old family ranches, and irrigation ditches. Bridgeport was originally called Big Meadows! Of course we stop here and there to take pictures of surprised cows. We passed the Hunewill Circle H cattle and guest ranch, a family that has been in the area since the 1860's. (There was a large Hunewill family plot at the cemetery. ) The road winds up into the Humboldt-Toiyabe National forest and the majestic Sawtooth range looms ahead. Our destination was Twin Lakes. We had no idea there were so many cabins and homes around the lakes as well as resorts. It was beautiful. I'd like to go back and spend time just exploring this whole area.
In the Sierra you just don't know what you are going to discover next. Yes we have an abundance of natural beauty here but to really get to know an area is to delve into the history and those who came before. To truly appreciate what we have now you need to witness the contributions, the hardships and the lives of the people who made it possible.
