Avalanche of 1911

Not far from this site, in the early morning hours of March 7, 1911, a massive avalanche roared down the east slop of Copper Mountain and wiped out the town of Jordan. Eight people were killed including Robert Mason, the chief engineer of the power plant. Only his wife and dog survived.

This snow slide was the worst of several occurring, in and around, Mono County during the winter of 1910-11. Rescuers coming from Bodie and Lee Vining were forced to travel by snowshoes or skis as all roads were impassable. Additionally, contact with other communities was severed as all telephone lines were down. It took several days to locate and identify all the victims. Most were later buried in a nearby cemetery.

This event was also the death knell for a town slowly recovering from a financial disaster (closure of the local mines, businesses and post office in 1903). Today remnants of foundations, miscellaneous debris and 8 headstones stand as silent reminders of one of the most devastating events in Mono County history.

Dedicated
September 10, 2011
Bodie Chapter No. 64
E Clampus Vitus