Old Benton Hot Springs, living Ghost Town & its Cemetery

[@angiebeasworrick6569]

Another wonderful video. We have been to Bodie but have not heard about Benton hot springs until today. One more reason to go back to that area. Thank you for all your hard work bringing us these videos.

[@Corgis175]

Love history, especially pioneer history and you have some of the best. Thoroughly enjoyed Benton Springs and the Pioneer Cemetery.

[@lonewolvesonwheels]

The comedy relief Sarah brings is my favorite part. I drag my wife across country to Sturgis on the back of my bike on her birthday weekend lol i just keep rolling.

[@dano8203]

I really enjoy these ghost town videos! Thank you for your research it’s always amazing to see the town, the stories of the people then the pics drop ins then finally seeing their final resting places.

[@richardbeee]

That was super! Nicely done. Thank you for sharing. Many times I've been to Bodie and never stopped. Tell them ghost busters they need to go to the cemetery, not the store. Did you see the shadow? Ha! Neither did I. Peace. May all your days be golden and I hope you continue to be blessed by the Best! Incredible.

[@Oldnoitall]

Thanks the wind made it perfect at the cemetery!!!

[@tangie777uk]

Wonderful video, you have such amazing history. Thank you Jeff

[@jbenziggy]

It is not my history, but I love telling about the rich history of California that I think tends to get ignored. Thank you so much for watching and for the comment.

[@409rommel]

Bravo Jeff n Sarah…. Great stuff. Brings me back to the first time I was in Benton in the 80s. I will have to go back again…👍

[@staceymay2655]

10 seconds in, im Hookt, Get him Sarah..! This channel never fails Jeff.... Gooddays

[@AT1881Cowboy]

Excellent historical video, Jeff and Sarah!!! Thank you very much!

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it! It was a fun video to put together!

[@LaVaqueraMarin]

I used to stop by there every time when I lived in Big Pine. Great place....missed this! Nice You Tube.

[@jbenziggy]

Nice. Are there interesting things to show in Big Pine?

[@carlupthegrove262]

I love Hiway 395 and this looks like a fun side trip.... thanks for doing this.... Interesting and informative

[@jbenziggy]

We love 395 too but this was even farther east than that! I didn't know that highway existed and how close we were to Nevada!

[@redmccoy8633]

Great stories. Great episode. Great scenery. Thanx!

[@Magravated]

I hadn't been to Benton Hot Springs until now, thanks to you and Sarah. Thanks!

[@jbenziggy]

Hopefully it felt like you were there!

[@HollywoodGraham]

Love the Eastern Sierras, thanks for the tour of an out of the way place. The only reason it stays like it is it is not on highway 395 and that is great. Keep up the good work..

[@moesan2u1]

Another Great show, Thanks Jeff and Sarah. Hope she warmed up now:)

[@thesearcher118]

The first time I drove through town was in NOV 1988. We were heading down to a buddy's home for Thanksgiving while stationed at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport. The town has not changed. The little diner was still open.

[@lornahardin4563]

I loved this trip Jeff and Sarah. We always camped at Convict Lake when I was a kid (82 now) and one day we drove to Benton just to see what was there. Well it was hot and dad drove our 1950 Pontiac into Benton. We stopped at a place that had a fountain and I had a milk shake. I think that was the best I ever had to this day. Plus you got the left overs in the metal container that went on the mixer. Oh, and dad was afraid we'd run out of gas before we got there and then hoped there was a gas station, no station but a pump so he filled up and complained about the price. I think if he knew then what todays prices would become he would have been happy.

[@jimbullard441]

Interesting spot. Love how you respectfully document the history of forgotten areas like this.

[@salysellsss]

We were just there a week before Thanksgiving! Stay there whenever we are in the area. The hot springs are great…So many stars at night!

[@jbenziggy]

Great to hear! Do you camp there in the campground?

[@DavidNiehaus20]

Jeff would you fufill my suggestion by visiting the grave of john philip sousa please and you are the sweetest kindest lovilest guy on youtube

[@161papa]

What a fun video! I've never been there, but next time I'm in the area, Benton is definitely on my list. Happy belated birthday to Sarah! 🎉 Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. 😊

[@theburtseoni]

This video shows there are still a few places left in California where there aren't so many people, and you can see how it was many years ago! Thank you Jeff and Sarah for taking us along today!

[@barbarabooth4955]

Thank you for showing Benton very interesting I have never heard of it.

[@terrydevries914]

Interesting video. What a beautiful area; will have to take a drive one of these days. That cemetary is sad. Men didn’t live into old age during that time. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust- life is so fleeting. Good work Jeff.

[@MrHubbmuscle]

Thank you so much yet again for taking us where I may never go and touring us through. So appreciated. 👍

[@irishgip71]

Took a well deserved break from tiling and remodeling a room for my fav show. Loved it, just wish it was longer so I could relax a lil more. 😂. Back to work!

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Sorry we couldn't have stretched it out an hour for your sake! LOL

[@SteveTRYK]

I've known about that area but have never ventured that far - great that you ran into the agreeable owner! Classic old west boneyard - all well done!

[@ElwoodAndersonNV]

Great video! I've spent some time over on the 395 and Nevada border, but I guess I missed Benton. That old harvester you saw was a Threshing Machine. They preceded the modern Combines, which cut the grain, and separated the grain from the straw, all in one operation. When Threshing Machines were used, the grain was cut with a Binder, which cut the grain and tied it into Bundles. The Binders were pulled by horses, or later by tractors. There was a rider on the Binder, whose job was to watch the Bundles drop into a catching device which could be dropped periodically to dump the Bundles in convenient rows, which farm hands would later come and stand the bundles up against one another into a Shock. This process was called Shocking. It allowed the grain and straw to dry out so the Threshing Machine could easily separate the grain from the straw. When the Bundles were ready for threshing, they would be picked up with pitch forks and loaded into horse drawn wagons to get them to the Threshing Machine, where the grain and straw were separated, the straw being blown in a large pile next the Threshing Machine, and the grain deposited in a hopper where it was loaded via an auger into grain wagons to be stored in bins until market prices were the highest, when it would be hauled to a Grain Elevator in the nearest town and sold. I was fortunate to be one of the Binder operators, Shockers, and Grain Haulers since my father owned a Threshing Machine and threshed for the other farmers in the vicinity. Threshing crews would be assembled in the southern plains states and work their way north to North Dakota and Canada as the grain ripened. It was a very exciting time where you were meeting new people and farmers wives were fixing large meals for the threshing crews. Harvest season was very interesting work for us young people , compared to picking rocks and cultivating fallowed fields.

[@FlopSter-i1o]

Thanks for braving the chilly weather to check this place out! I had read about Benton Hot Springs, but I didn't know it's not completely gone. I learned another bit of California history thanks to you guys again!

[@jbenziggy]

Any time! Glad we could be of help in understanding what is there!

[@richs6205]

As usual great video of a forgotten town and time. Interesting to hear from the current owner of the town.

[@dsinavich5141]

Hi guys... awesome. views of the mountains... beautiful.....the town is very old and very interesting too....same as the cemetery...lots of old headstones need looking after...but I guess no one to clean it up anymore....thanks for the tour ...take care...... Deborah 🇨🇦

[@edwardaustin740]

I appreciate the longer video this weekend Jeff. & also you letting me hang out with you guys for a bit.

[@festerhairball6588]

Jeff, I can't believe you don't believe in ghosts! I do 100% after moving into our 1894 home 20 years ago. I've had several dogs see & react to them. The best was when my wife was watching the morning news on Memorial Day. They were showing photos of locals in the military while playing an old military marching tune. On the other end of the couch, a spirit started to hum along with the tune. When the segment ended (several seconds later), the humming stopped. Love the channel & really enjoyed the music on this episode! Take care.

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you for liking the channel. However, just a word about ghosts. I believe that a lot of people get worked up over superstitious things and being a Christian, who believes in the Bible I know once we die we do not roam the Earth, even as a spirit.

[@petemoss1951]

Thank you for weathering the wind and cold in Benton. I have never been there, probably drove through. Enjoy the ride , Thanks! Late Happy Birthday to Sarah!

[@lisalucas6092]

Thanks for the tour, as always another interesting video.

[@alancamper7796]

Never have been there but now see a road trip to check it out in the near future. Thanks for sharing this wonderful video!!

[@donnawoepke8861]

Your stories are so interesting and educational.

[@rhondaz356]

Those places are very interesting. Talk about relics from the past. WOW... It sounds strange to me to own a town, *but nobody could doubt how caring the owner is. 👏🏻👏🏻 I really found the cemetery very engrossing. The enclosures around many of the graves, some of the graves themselves, the stories of people buried there, the "frozen in time" feeling it evokes... Thank you, Jeff for taking us along. As always, your research, traveling, and your presentation are top-notch. 🏡🙏🏻 🏘🏚🪦👏🏻👏🏻

[@webchuck1]

Hello Jeff and Sarah, Thanks for your travel and sharing this interesting story and its history. I hope you are doing well and have a wonderful Sunday.

[@robmiller5593]

We moved to Nevada 5 years ago and Benton is part of a 200 mile motorcycle ride we love to do each summer. Interesting how cold it was when we rode through in August it was a melting 106. Our favorite lunch stop is Nicely’s in Lee Vining. Thanks for the history lesson Jeff.

[@jbenziggy]

I bet it’s a wonderful place when you’re traveling by motorcycle. I didn’t mention it, but what are the nights that we were there? It actually snowed on us. It was so cold. Thank you so much for being a part of our KZbin audience and living the wonderful comment.

[@vonwebber7852]

Interesting how some highways have so much history over such a long distance. Hwy 120 from Mossdale Bridge in Manteca, all the way to Benton. I lost count on the number of videos that you have done along Hwy 120. Well done as always!

[@sherwoodvillage3836]

Did I hear correctly that it is Sarah's birthday weekend? If so, happy birthday Sarah. I love your input and contributions to these videos. I always look forward to seeing these new videos.

[@HistoryHunterSarah]

You heard right. Thank you for your support & birthday wishes 😊

[@luckehandyman]

Thank you Jeff, Ray

[@AlbertoCasanova]

Thanks, Jeff! Very interesting place :D

[@mathewhephill8686]

Did not know that. Thanks

[@Xpyburnt_ndz]

Thanks for my weekly "fix" Jeff and Sarah! Love your channel and all the history you bring to life! ~Chris

[@jbenziggy]

You are so good to comment much of the time and we thank you very much!

[@TheHypnotstCollector]

minute 3:00, those miners shacks were looking OK in 1987 when I drove by... Over the years they leaned. I could have sworn most had fallen down of late, maybe they were propped up, resurrected? in 1987, and later, an old guy sat in a chair at the store and I saw him at least a few times over the years, I used 120 to get into SE Utah. In Feb 2001 (A lad of 52) I was in a Chrysler Sebring Convertible... in Benton I followed a truck out on hwy 120, after a few miles he went around a gate and so did I and then he turned left and I stayed straight... At mile 34 I had a flat tire. In the snow. It was -9F chilly. Snow path began about 1/2mile back. In the morning I took my PortaCooler and walked out 150ft to some rocks and in a few hours made a path to drive on. Changed the tire. No go. Stuck. So at 1 pm I began walking to Benton, 37 miles east. Made 17 miles by 730pm and laid down in a nice creosote bush. In Sleeping bag....At 2AM two trucks with 6 drunks came by. I told them not to go west because of the snow and some object (tree?) across the road past the car. They went. So I went with them. The truck I was in went right off the road when he hit the snow. The truck in front just drove off the highway like they were in a walmart parking lot. Stuck in muck and creosote they tried to dig out!! Drunk as skunks. I explained they were in danger, drunk, and needed to get out of the snow. The had cell phones and one worked, a tow truck came out around 6AM. That night the car thermometer said -7F. The tow driver was a novice, drove in when he needed to back in and lost an hour. He was too scared to drive the half mile to my car. I got to Bishop with the tow guy, hitched down to Inyokern to meet a friend from east of Fresno, in the mtns where I lived. TRUE:: I walked into the elementary school office in Lone Pine and asked if there was a car rental there. no. I walked back outside , saw a water fountain and took a sip. Out came the woman "SIR< SIR, stop, you can't do that, this is Federal Property.... I'm sure the McDonalds will give you some water". True story. I had my fill and left. The car was a rental. They stupidly sent a tow truck from Reno when Benton is 34 miles east. Tried to stick me for over $1000 but they had to cover flat tires and their car had a flat. Put over 10,000 miles on it in 2 weeks, touring the 4-corners area with the top down! The wind went over me head and the heater kept everything warm. None of the cars have value but the gas pumps do and the VW has some real value. VW nuts are crazy

[@TravisWhite-m3r]

Well put together, never heard of the place but you made it interesting. Thanks Jeff

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you!

[@caroleannseaton9178]

Another great film Jeff. So it was Sarah's birthday weekend. Happy Birthday, you don't look a day over 20, so it was your 20th birthday.🎉😊

[@HistoryHunterSarah]

Yes let's go with 20. Thank you Carol!

[@frankdomingo191]

Great view of an old mining town.

[@GeorgeSawtooth]

Loved the video. You always do a great job!

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you, George! Appreciate the nice compliment!

[@conniephillips8217]

Great video, as usual! I hope you hal had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a beautiful holiday. Season ahead! Love to both of you v❤ ❤😊

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you so much! wishing many great blessings for you this holiday season. Thanks for being a faithful viewer of our channel.

[@mikewhite2aadvocacy172]

It's fascinating indeed. I haven't been there, but perhaps one day I'll visit since I love old towns like that.

[@jbenziggy]

It was more interesting than I thought it would be!

[@sistergoldenhair2231]

2 years ago drove the 395 from Reno to san bernadino. Most beautiful trek and hope to do it again. Curiosity got me to Benton Springs and will have to return again. Great video. Sarah has a great sense of humor😂😊

[@dorisbanathy3423]

Another great video Jeff

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks a bunch!

[@ourlifeinwyoming4654]

Love the scenery there. What a cool place!

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks for visiting with us! I bet you have places up in Wyoming like that!

[@ourlifeinwyoming4654]

@ You bet!

[@footballlvnlady]

Another great video with gorgeous scenery! Did people go into the hot springs for therapeutic purposes? I know Sarah was cold. She’s a tough MN girl! We were having a “warm” fall here in northeast WI. Temps in the 40’s & 50’s. That ended on Thanksgiving! Current temperature of 21 and with high winds chill below zero. No snow. I hope you and Sarah had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Happy Belated Birthday to Sarah! 🎉🎂🥳

[@laurielaurie8280]

I had never heard of Benton Hot Springs, Ca until now. Another interesting bit of history. I like your off the beaten path adventures! ☺

[@kaymerry369]

Wonderful story of history in this area of Benton.

[@jbenziggy]

Nice to know that you enjoyed it. Thank you so much.

[@susannelanza8421]

Great history and beautiful scenery ❤

[@jbenziggy]

It really is! Thanks for coming along!

[@susanpeterson8529]

Good job as usual Jeff!

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks again! Love it!

[@stevemellin5806]

You go to the coolest places . thank you. Enjoy your Sunday

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks, you too!

[@Late_to_the_party]

Great video! I see a lot of photo-ops!. This history is interesting to listen to and I do believe in ghosts. I've had multiple experiences to believe. If you ever rake a trip to Montana, visit Bannack. My grandma was born there. Beautiful ghost town.

[@Jackietreehorn-z5e]

Jeff, 12 degrees in Iowa last night. It looks like summer there. 😅. Enjoy your vids!

[@jbenziggy]

Oh wow! 12 degrees in Iowa! Yikes! God bless ya! There's a reason we live in Central California! LOL

[@bevgreen8165]

Driven through a couple of times heading to Southern California from Nevada. It's the scenic route. Never stopped, but thought of the name and building before I watched the vid. Nice REO. Pity about those other old cars rusting away. Wouldn't be surprised if the owner didn't want to sell them to somebody who might make use of them. I can't understand hording old cars and letting them fall apart instead of selling them to someone who would bring them back to life or use the parts to restore another one.

[@johnw.fordphotography4268]

Jeff , very intresting and great history as always

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks 👍

[@trinketsmusings]

First of all, YAY, The Stove. Been forever since I've visited. Secondly, thank you for visiting Benton! I only stopped there briefly and it was covered in snow but I always wondered about the place (just not enough to do my own research). So nice to revisit these places vicariously!

[@jbenziggy]

We were there about a year ago too and a guy stopped to tell us he loved our channel! This happened the day after another guy stopped us in the Mexican restaurant there and said, "You two look familiar." Signs of success, I guess!

[@m.e.c.1007]

OOO saucy Sarah lol Another great video!

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you 😋

[@runaremblem2221]

Very interesting history Jeff god work🤗🤗

[@augustharter981]

Really enjoyed the video. Been that area several times, however have never been there. Going have to pay a visit!

[@frankmarullo228]

Another good video Jeff , I never was there. ( or in Califorina ) but in montana we have quite a few hot springs up here . hope you guys had a good thanksgiving day FRANK FROM MONTANA.........

[@bradreinhardt1358]

You always find a crack to pry open wide to find the rich history inside. No wonder the namesake of the location was along the Fremont-Walker route since Senator Benton was John C. Fremont's father-in-law.

[@lonewolvesonwheels]

Girl, ignore these haters! They have no idea what we go through making these videos 🤣 I get comments hating on me and I laugh because I’M THE ONE WHO EDITS OUR VIDEOS 🤣😂 We have one where I’m yelling at Brian to “slow down slow the F down!!” and I got all sorts of hate for it. What they didn’t know was, our house was in escrow and before we took off that day Brian told me “don’t let me do anything that can get us into trouble”. In the video he’s going 80 in a 40 while passing on a double yellow. I put it in the video because it was kind of hilarious. Sorry not sorry they can’t handle our realness in the reels. Hope you had a great birthday weekend. ❤, Deana 👱🏽‍♀️ the other lone wolf

[@HistoryHunterSarah]

Thanks Deana! I told Jeff I was going to take heat for messing with him. People just look for reasons to be mad. Sounds like you had an exciting trip. Keep on keeping on! 😊

[@burningsandsexploration3711]

Thank you, Mrs. In no context are indigenous peoples in North America, "Indians". "Do you live here?" "No, I own it but, yeah, I live here." Was that a definite "maybe?" Very interesting place. I'll have to make a trip to see this area.

[@stevemccoy8138]

Hello Folks, looks like someone would take care of this cemetery. In the beginning of the video, that machine is a Treashing machine, for harvest of grain. Thanks Jeff. 😊

[@briannave7326]

Interesting history story as usual. I looked up the cemetery on Find a Grave and found some more interesting history.

[@jbenziggy]

And there is another cemetery in that region but much smaller. There must be thousands of small forgotten cemeteries in our country!

[@WyomingTraveler]

An interesting location thank you for showing it.

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Have you been to any new places in Wyoming?

[@richardbeee]

Thanks!

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks very much, Richard!

[@wallyzworld7108]

Grew up in Bishop and been to Benton many times. The White Mountain Cafe use to have the best stuffed baked potatoes for lunch. They were made with locally grown French fry potatoes from the Zack Ranch between Benton and Bishop.

[@thegreenbird795]

Our family took a trip to Bodie and Mono Lake in the mid 80's...I'll always remember having to wait for a huge herd of sheep to cross the main road...

[@johnpeddicord4932]

Enjoyed, Thanks for sharing , and braving the cold,, for past history, Sarah and Jeff

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it! And it was chilly! It snowed that night!

[@kturnington]

Thanks for the awesome videos. Those gas pumps are great what was the cost per gallon showing on the pumps? Thanks again 👍👍

[@Kimberly-dt4ko]

Sounds like an interesting old town. Is it in the Long Valley caldera? Lucky that you were able to meet the owner of the general store and get so much history from him.

[@Tonybeheler]

Sassy sarah...I love it! Another awesome video,thank you so much.

[@cathyd.7332]

Neat place

[@JBOHATCH]

What is the name of the song that starts at 6:38? So hauntingly beautiful!

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

That's Kool .....

[@PatiRobinson]

Another good video thank u for enduring the cold to make it... and it's OK to say Indians...

[@skimmer8774]

I wonder if the convict that shot Morrison was charged and if he died in prison for it.

[@jbenziggy]

I believe the SOB was hanged. Lol.

[@darrelllne2136]

Used to eat breakfast there, they has the best Biscuits and Gravy , that was in the 60's, 70's when we would go to MaGee creek up by Lake Crowley to go fishing.

[@jbenziggy]

Good to know! I was hoping someone recognized that little cafe. Did it shock you to see it closed?

[@patrickbeck3285]

Yes, they maybe smoked peace pipes before we smoked bongs. Just remember, their families were here before ours were. Yes, sounds like someone should have stayed at home, and she's not driving.

[@HistoryHunterSarah]

We were there because it was where I wanted to go for MY birthday weekend. You are too sensative to watch the program if you can't handle me ribbing Jeff every now & again.

[@patrickbeck3285]

You misspelled sensitive.

[@HistoryHunterSarah]

@patrickbeck3285 you're sensitive to that huh?

[@gingerkilgore8995]

Ohh...I love Sarah's humor! Keep it up girl!! Love your program & look forward to each episode!!!

[@HistoryHunterSarah]

Thank you 😊 Glad to have you along for the ride. Happy Sunday!

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you, Ginger! Will do!

[@michaelgoolman918]

I think it's a old combine ( maybe steam power),,,,😮

[@lindaryno6355]

Haha..you two in the car are acting like old married people😂

[@websoldier4576]

Sarah is in a certain mood today...

[@dawndeany9645]

Stop be rude to him just stop be nice

[@HistoryHunterSarah]

😂

[@Smithsgold]

Well done much enjoyed

[@dorisbanathy3423]

You're correct Dawn Sarah's personality has changed in the last few years not sure what's going on😮

[@irishgip71]

It’s friendly banter. My wife and I do it all the time and love each other immensely.

[@HistoryHunterSarah]

​@@dorisbanathy3423i love a good mystery

[@dwmiller8000]

Hey Jeff, so no local doctor, how far is the closest hospital for some of these folks. And second question. You think Amazon delivers there and if do what a drive.

[@jbenziggy]

I think if you had a heart attack, you would probably die. Obviously you have to be in good health for one to live there.

[@susannelanza8421]

Thanks!

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you so very much! You are very generous!

[@sambowz9077]

Great content. 😁👍👍👍 I'm from Oklahoma and all my Indian Friends and Relatives, call themselves Indians. I bet you do not know who Charles Curtis was. Do you?

[@jbenziggy]

Charles Curtis the vice president? Was he Indian?

[@sambowz9077]

@@jbenziggy Yes he was a member of the Kaw Nation. 👍😁

[@PatiRobinson]

I'm curious if u worked at paper in Nov 2016... and was wondering if you wrote article regarding stabbing incident on 22nd...I'm going to have to research it