Eastern Mojave Vegetation Legend of the June Lake Slot Machines  
 

 

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  California, Mono County, June Lake
Photographed 24 July 2013.

Legend of June Lake Slot Machines
During the 1930's, in central Mono County, demand for gaming entertainment skyrocketed with the influx of hundreds of employees working on the Mono Basin project. To accomodate the workers, many local bars and cafes installed slot machines. Although illegal, there (sic) use in Mono County thrived for many years. Unfortunately, upon completion of the aqueduct in 1941 and transfer of all workers, demand for this activity diminished. Within a few years most slot machines were voluntarily removed. It was rumored that the last slot machines were hastily dumped into June Lake in the middle of the night by local merchants in response to an imminent raid by the state revenue agents. However, the legend of the slot machines did not end there. Over the years, numerous attempts to locate them by special cold water dive teams failed. Although no one has recently inserted a coin into one and pulled the handle, many people still gamble on hitting the jackpot and finding these “one armed bandits” at the bottom of June Lake. Forever lost? Time will tell.
Dedicated September 11, 2010
Bodie Chapter No. 64
E Clampus Vitus

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Other photos about Geography - Mono Lake Basin, California or June Lake.

 


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Date and time this page was prepared: 2/25/2024 3:16:27 PM