User:Betben08/Sandbox

Article Needed-Info
•http://www.totalescape.com/destin/california-towns.php?tid=36

•http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/ca/benton.html

•http://www.historicbentonhotsprings.com/history.htm

•http://www.relocationnow.com/profilecitybreakout-Benton-CA-all.html

Article needs to have

•History

•Geography

•Demographics

•Major attractions/landmarks

•Education

Information

Elevation: 5377 feet

Population: 331

Terrain: High desert

County: Mono County

Recreation: Hot Springs, Back Road exploration, Camping, old mines, hiking, mountain biking, ghost towns

Campgrounds: Rock Creek Lake

Tuff Campground

Oh Ridge - June Lake Camping

June Lake Campground

Convict Lake Campground

McGee Creek - Eastern Sierra Camping

French Camp - Lake Crowley

Nearby towns: Mammoth Lakes

Bishop

Death Valley

Lee Vining

June Lake

Tom's Place

Crowley Lake

Convict Lake

Overview: Benton California is located on the back highway (Hwy 6) outside of Bishop, on the way to remote regions of Nevada. Benton Hot Springs is the big draw here, as the small historic resort features not only fine bed & breakfast rooms, but overnight soaking tubs under the stars for the outdoor enthusiasts. RVs are welcomed.

http://www.totalescape.com/destin/california-towns.php?tid=36

Climate: Cold in winter, mild to hot in summer.

Best time to visit: Summer and fall.

Comments: The original town of Benton is now called Benton Hot Springs. Semi-Ghost. Year road residents but still a very quiet town. Located on Benton Crossing Road about 5 miles west of HWY 6. Check out the hot springs and old store while you're there! Nearby Bling Spring Hill/Yellow Jacket Mountain is literally covered with mines! The road is 4wd with high clearance only! Dont try this in a Susuki (trust me on this one!)!

Remains: Many original buildings, a wonderful scenic cemetary and plenty of mines to explore nearby.

History: The local Indians of the area came to Benton originally to make use of the hot springs. But as Bodie and Aurora boomed, Benton became a way station to the south. Gold was discovered on Blind Spring Hill in 1862 and the town took off but most of the profits were seen from silver. Benton was a calm mining town that provided for the surrounding mining districts and survived longer due to that fact. The main activity was from 1862 to 1889 but the town has never completely died. One interesting story of Benton: William Bodey's partner(namesake of Bodie), E.S. Taylor, was killed here by a band of maurading Indians. They besieged his cabin for two days and then set fire to his roof. He was killed when he was forced from his cabin by the fire but not before he had killed 10 of the Indians.

http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/ca/benton.html

One of the oldest surviving towns in Mono County, Benton was once a thriving, silver mining town, with up to 5,000 inhabitants. It was established in 1852 as a stop over for travellers heading south from the nearby mining towns of Bodie and Aurora.

In 1862, mining began in the nearby Blind Spring Hills and the town boomed. Today, there are a small number of old structures left in Benton, as well as the cemetery. If you yearn to experience yesteryear, then come and enjoy our interesting buildings, old mining and farming equipment, and our natural hot springs, while you step back in time to a more gentle atmosphere.

http://www.historicbentonhotsprings.com/history.htm

Article in Progress
Benton is a small town in Mono County, California. It is also known as Benton Hot Springs because of the Hot Springs it features. Benton was once a small mining town with up to 5,000 inhabitants. Many of the original buildings still remain, but the town has never completely died.

History

Benton is one of the oldest existing towns in Mono County, California. Benton was originally founded by the western indians who came to make use of it's hot springs. As nearby towns, Bodie and Aurora, grew in size and population, Benton soon became a check-point for travelers on the way south in 1852.

Gold was discovered in the hills of Benton in 1862, and it's population quickly grew. After hitting the initial strike of gold, not much more was found, but Benton's profits were soon primarily from silver. Unlike other mining towns, Benton was able to provide enough for the town to thrive and flourish for about fifty years. Although most of the main activity took place between 1862 and 1890, the town and it's inhabitants have never completely died out.

Location

Benton, California, is part of the Mono County. It is located on Highway 6, outside of Bishop, on the way to remote areas of Nevada. The terrain is described as high desert at an elevation of 5,377 feet above sea level.

Nearby Towns

Although Benton is a small town, it is surrounded by other small towns and cities including Mammoth Lakes, Bishop, Death Valley, Lee Vining, June Lake, Tom's Place, Crowley Lake, and Convict Lake.

Attractions and Landmarks

The hot springs are one of the major attractions in Benton, as well as fine bed and breakfast rooms and overnight soaking tubs. There are several old mines in the surrounding hills that have also been a source of interest to tourists as well as the hiking and mountain biking trails in the area. Many of the original buildings from the old mine town still exist and are open to exploration, including the cemetary.

Population

Total Population: 331

Male: 159

Female: 172

Ages 0-19: 109

Ages 20-59: 166

Ages 60-85+: 56

Median age: 39.5

Average household size: 2.69

Average family size: 3.15

Total housing units: 200

Occupied housing units: 123

References