Our History

bridgeport ranch barns & terrace

The barns were built in 1871 by Stewart Kirkwood, primarily to feed and harness draft horses that were used for cutting and stacking hay, and then hauling it to the town of Bodie. This hay was used to feed stock animals being used in Bodie during the Gold Rush Era of the late 1860s and early 1870s.

Today they have been lovingly restored and updated to provide this one of a kind event venue, while still maintaining a great many original features and artifacts that remind us of their history.

We look forward to hosting your special event.

events & performers since 1997

• Weddings

• Anniversaries

• Western Concerts

• Beef & Wine Tastings

• Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Tastings

• Celebrations of Life

• Photography Shoots

• U.S. Marines Award Ceremonies

• Royal Marines Inception Celebrations

• Cowgirl Art Rodear

• Fundraiser Dinners & Concerts

• Don Edwards

• Ian Tyson

• Baxter Black

• Joey & Rory

• Dave Stamey

• Brenn Hill

• Red Steagall

• Comstock Cowboys

• Quebe Sisters

• Lacy J Dalton

• Trinity Seeley

• Amy Auker

• Carin Mari

bridgeport, california

Sitting at approximately 6,500 feet above sea level, trappers, explorers and emigrants discovered the Bridgeport Valley beginning about 1827 when a party led by Jedediah Strong Smith crossed the Sierra and picked up gold in the foothills around Mono Lake. 

Gold soon became a big draw to the area, with the first placer gold mining settlement in the Eastern Sierra formed at Dogtown in 1859. Then, in the late 1850’s, rich gold and silver deposits were also discovered in nearby Bodie, Masonic and Aurora. 

Today Bridgeport is the county seat for Mono County, and it’s big draw is the country and wildlife surrounding it, with rich fishing, hunting, hiking and many adventures to be had.