Bennettville (once called Tioga) was a small mine camp in the high Sierra with that typical ghost town story of boom and bust of a big strike that never panned out.
History
Part of the Tioga Mining District, Bennettville was built to support one mine, the Great Sierra, and its famed Sheepherder lode. They believed a rich silver vein went deep into the mountain from the top of Tioga Hill. The Great Sierra Tunnel would be driven into the mountain to intercept the vein at a lower level.
On a prospecting trip, the vein was discovered in 1860 by a dentist George Chase and Joshua Clayton. They were very excited about this discovery and quickly put up some claims on the ledge. Unfortunately, there was a rich strike at Aurora shortly after their find, and they went there to make their fortunes.
Bennettville in 1966. Photos courtesy of Roger Mitchell.
