Masonic is a true ghost town just a few miles north of Bodie. Originally founded as three towns by the Free Masons “Upper Town, Middle Town, and Lower Town”. Gold was first discovered here in 1862. On July 4th 1902 J.S. Phillips and partners founded the Pittsburg Liberty Mine. The remains of his mill still stand on the hillside in Lower Town.
…Phillips broken body was found at the bottom…
The Clampers allege Phillips broken body was found at the bottom of a shaft and he might have been murdered by his partners. Personally I believe this Clamper plaque led to the ghost stories of the nearby Chemung Mine.
Very little in the way of structures exist today outside of a partial mill, hilltop tram works and numerous partial log cabins. I bet a metal detector would be fun here!
