I have been over to a large dry lake East of Scotty's Castle a couple of times. Take a bike and ride down to Scotty's Castle. About a month ago I walked over to the old SCOTTYS airstrip which is a couple of miles North of the lake bed. Not Much there anymore but the runways were long and there were some buildings there. There is a new road so it doesn't run thru the Bonne Clare Lake bed. I think it is Bonne and not Bonnie.

Scottys Airport

Actually it is Bonnie. The name comes from the old ghost town and mining district there, read about them when I last visitited Scotty's castle. Though I can't remember if anyone knows who Bonnie Clare actually was. Or it could mean: "very pleasing to the eye" (bonnie) "county/girlfriend/wife/river" (Clare) from Scotland.

once&futr_alaskaflyer wrote:Actually it is Bonnie. The name comes from the old ghost town and mining district there, read about them when I last visitited Scotty's castle. Though I can't remember if anyone knows who Bonnie Clare actually was. Or it could mean: "very pleasing to the eye" (bonnie) "county/girlfriend/wife/river" (Clare) from Scotland.

Bonnie Clare was the name of the wife of Willis George Emerson, a mining promoter who bought with his partner Fred Vahrenkamp the Rattlesnake mine in 1905, and immediately after incorporated the Bonnie Clare Bullfrog Mining and Milling Co., capitalized at $2,000,000.

Checked the topo map. You are correct. How could that be. I don't know where Bonne came from. I erased it from my place name memory.

The oldest sectional I have for that area is 1949 and there is no landing area shown on the lake bed. I had totally forgotten that when you are there you can see the outline of the old landing strip on the lake bed. I haven't been in there in years but now I need to go. I have landed by the south edge for some visual reference.

This thing could have a life of it's own. We could just keep going with Bonnie Clare Talk and no one would have any idea what the heck we are talking about.

Where is this old mine complex? Lat.Long.
Old mining towns and mine buildings are kind of a hobby of mine. Have been to several sites in the Dayton, Virginia City, Churchill, Yerrington areas in Nevada.
HC

rnie
I have a Nev. Gazateer The town of Bonnie Clare is about 37*13.5 X 117*.07 Can't find the mine. I would guess it wouldn't be too far away. Lotta cool stuff in the area. Need to spend some fall time over there.
gary

Thanks SF. Speaking of Scotty's Castle, does anyone on this site know who Death Valley Scotty was and what he was famous for? Give you a hint, It had to do with the Santa Fe Railroad.

i thought Scotty's castle was in east San Diego County.. .It can be seen coming up from the desert on I-8 from El Centro...maybe a different Scotty's castle...

iceman wrote:i thought Scotty's castle was in east San Diego County.. .It can be seen coming up from the desert on I-8 from El Centro...maybe a different Scotty's castle...

Perhaps you are thinking of the "Alpine Castle"?

http://www.dupontcastle.com/castles/ca_unk17.htm

no Scotty's castle... he built the damn thing from rocks....

ok never mind.. I googled it... Desert view tower, is in Jacumba built in the 1920's ... Not Scotty's tower...Sorry... got it confused with Scotty's....

another little thread creep:
What is the status of the strip at Darwin?
e/o Big Pine
mines like Bonnie Clare

--Bill

shortfielder wrote:rnie
I have a Nev. Gazateer The town of Bonnie Clare is about 37*13.5 X 117*.07 Can't find the mine. I would guess it wouldn't be too far away. Lotta cool stuff in the area. Need to spend some fall time over there.
gary

Gary,

Wanna shoot for a Jan/Feb trip down? We try and do three or four Furnace Creek runs a winter. Stay at the golf course 'cause it's cheap. $$$ Dinner dressed up at the Inn just for fun.

Maybe Floyd can find his way with the Commander...

Gump

c180bill wrote:another little thread creep:
What is the status of the strip at Darwin?
e/o Big Pine
mines like Bonnie Clare

--Bill

Funny I was thinking about Darwin yesterday. I haven't been there for years. Last time I was there the strip was good. This very nice little kid took me around town and to his house. Turned out he was shopping around for a new dad. I had my dog with me so everyone became my instant friend.