Benton Hot Springs | |
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Benton Hot Springs | |
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Location | Mono County, California |
Coordinates | 37°48′01″N 118°31′44″W / 37.80028°N 118.52889°W |
Elevation | 5,630 feet (1,720 m)[1] |
The Benton Hot Springs are in Mono County, California[2] around which grew the town of Benton[1] (also known as Old Benton,[1] and Hot Springs[3]). It is located 3 miles (4.8 km) west-southwest of Benton and 31 miles (50 km) north-northwest of Bishop, at an elevation of 5630 feet (1716 m).[1] It is part of the Benton census-designated place for statistical purposes.[4]
The Benton post office opened at the place in 1886.[3] The name honors Senator Thomas Hart Benton, United States senator from Missouri.[3] The town saw its heyday from 1862 to 1889 as a supply center for nearby mines.[3] At the end of the 19th century, the town declined and the name Benton was transferred to Benton Station.[3]
Of the springs at the site, one was described in a 1915 book as issuing water at 135 °F (57 °C).[5]