Considered by nearly everyone as americas best ghost town, the city bears the nearly same fabled history as most other ghost towns. Bodie is a ghost town located about 80 miles from lake tahoe, east of the sierra nevada mountain range, and about 40 miles north of the tioga pass into yosemite. That is, the town would be kept exactly as it was when the final residents moved away and the town. Tall tales and true history from a california mining town. Its almost as if time stands still in this exmining town. In the days when the west was wild, legendmaking fiction. Visitors can walk down the deserted streets of a town that once had a population of. Bodie began as a mining camp in 1859 during the gold rush. Nevada ghost town books ghost towns and history of the. By far the most touristy ghost town in california, calico was a silver mining town that flourished in the 1880s. By 1880 the phrase badman from bodie described the town s rambunctious inhabitants, earning the community a reputation for violence that rivaled tombstone, deadwood and dodge city. Piatt is the first book to tell the complete story of bodie from the arrival of prospector w.
The mill was run on steam early on, but it was fired by wood and as time went by, the fuel had to be hauled from further and further away, thus the change. The history and geology of the bodie ghost town bodie state historic park, located only 48 miles north of mammoth lakes in the heart of mono county, california, is undoubtedly one of the most legendary ghost. Driving in is long and difficult, with the last 3 miles being a graded but very rough dirt road. Jul 15, 2012 ghost towns of california is a guidebook to the states best boomtowns.
T oday bodie is a ghost town, preserved in a state of arrested decay by the california department of parks and recreation as bodie state historic park. To limit the spread of the coronavirus, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. A ghost town cemetery, bodie, california ventura county library. We had done the entire day of ghost towns starting with nighthawk, then molson, backroads to. There are also a number of items by our own local ghost hunter, richard senate, if you want to limit your spectral searches to southern california. The history and geology of the bodie ghost town bodie state historic park, located only 48 miles north of mammoth lakes in the heart of mono county, california, is undoubtedly one of the most legendary ghost towns in the western u. The san francisco chronicle published an article in 1919 to dispute the ghost town label.
Today, bodie is a california state historic park a whole goldmining ghost town. Alma, california in present times a sign for amboy, california, on the west side of town roys motel and cafe in amboy, california on u. The twostory structure, now stuck in its last incarnation as one of bodies. If you are interested in visiting the ghost town of bodie, foster library has books available to assist you in planning your next ghost hunt, as well as information about the history of bodie. May 05, 2001 ghost towns of northern california provides background on the gold rush of 1849 and later strikes, a tony hillerman. After consulting early record books and aging mono county pioneers, joseph wasson concluded in 1879 that w.
Bodie ghost town in sierra nevada, california learning history. In a time when auto travel was on the rise, many travelers reached bodie via automobiles. You can follow the tour by clicking the begin the tour link below, by viewing map sections of the town, or by choosing from the list of buildings that currently have information listed on the site. Body william bodey, who had discovered small amounts of gold in hills north of mono lake. Purchased the book to locate ghost towns to explore in california. Today, with the gold mining days of california a distinct memory with almost 200 abandoned wooden buildings in a. Resource extraction and gold mining pushed the city population to 10,000 which, at the time, was the 3rd largest california city in the late 1800s though this fact is in dispute by the us census. In 1962, after years of neglect, bodie became a state historic park, and two years later the ghost town of bodie was dedicated as a california historic site. Of all the hundreds of ghost towns across the southwest, none is as authentic and well preserved as the former gold mining settlement of bodie, built high in the hills on the east side of the sierra nevada in a particularly remote part of california, near the state border.
A history of mining in arizona and california along the lower colorado great west and indian series, v. The states fragile goldmining ghost town was rattled by series of moderate earthquakes, ranging from magnitude 5. Bodie exploring californias most famous ghost town. Take a look through the gallery above to see photos of the eerie. To be an offseason caretaker of bodie, california winter population. When the california department of parks and recreation took over bodie in 1962, the department initiated a plan to preserve bodie in a state of arrested decay. Nov 25, 2014 bodie is a ghost town in the bodie hills east of the sierra nevada mountain range in mono county, california, united states, about 75 miles 121 km southeast of lake tahoe. Other information came from california place names by gudde, california ghost trails by broman, ghost towns of the west by lane publishing and ghost towns of the pacific.
Bodie ghost town california one cool thing every weekend. Bodie became a state historic park in 1962, and maintains the buildings just as they were found when the state took over the town but they do not. Body in 1859 to the quiet departure a century later of the dying towns last residents. I dont recommend it for anything but a truck or suv with high clearance and good suspension, but i saw a few family cars there also. The pages should be structured after this main page, ah yes, copy and paste, for the sake of consistency. There are of course probably hundreds of other smaller cities and towns. A ghost town cemetery, bodie, california ventura county. Bodie state historic park is a genuine california goldmining ghost town. In 1875, a mine caved in revealing pay dirt which eventually led to the purchase of the mine in 1877. The history behind this remote hotel in northern california is both eerie and fascinating. Body was originally from poughkeepsie, new york, and that he had resided in tuolumne county, california, before crossing the sierra.
Preserved in a state of arrested decay, visitors to bodie are able to explore the turn of the century remains of one of california s most lucrative mining districts. The book cleverly maps out the towns in geographical order and thus makes it. Bodie ghost town best abandoned mining town california. Ghost towns visit california visit california road trips. There are also a number of items by our own local ghost hunter, richard senate, if you want to limit your spectral searches to southern california keep in mind, though, if you do decide to visit bodie. What its like to live in a california ghost town citylab. By the 1940s sickness, wars, bad weather, and exhausted mines had led to the towns desertion, and its isolated, inhospitable location made certain that it stayed that way.
Bodie ghost town, california, united states impossibleliving. Bodie is a ghost town in the sierra nevada mountains northeast of yosemite national park. Bodie is a ghost town in the bodie hills east of the sierra nevada mountain range in mono. M ore than a decade in the making, this important work by michael h. Bodie appears on every ghost town list for good reason. What a well preserved ghost town in north east california located near mono lake and yosemite. Resource extraction and gold mining pushed the city population to 10,000 which, at the time, was the 3rd largest california city in the late 1800s though. Get ready for adventure as ghost town expert philip varney takes you on a tour of northern california s most fascinating historic mining camps and ghost. Bodie, california is a town frozen in time, and preserved by california state parks in a state of arrested decay. California ghost town books ghost towns and history of. One of the most preserved ghost towns in california, bodie is recognized as a national. Nov 23, 2019 this historic ghost town is very interesting and really gives you a taste of the old goldmining towns.
A w e s o m e we went there expecting to see some few old crappy houses to find out that. The ghost town of bodie, however, is another story altogether a mining boomtown, it was the third most populous city in the state of california in 1880. Gold diggers and silver miners, prostitution and social life on. It might surprise you however that there are also many ghost. Bodie state historic park, located only 48 miles north of mammoth lakes in the heart of mono county, california, is undoubtedly one of the most legendary ghost towns in the western u. Driving in is long and difficult, with the last 3 miles being a. Ghost town expert philip varney equips you with everything you need to know to explore these remnants of the past. Bodie ghost town in california reading comprehension. Bodies largest boom ended just over twenty years later, but the town survived into the twentieth century supported by a few small but steady mines. Bodie is a california state park and is maintained in a state of arrested decay. Bodie, california is the most wellpreserved ghost town in the west. Bodeys first name was william, or perhaps waterman.
Other strikes drew miners away and by 1910 the number of inhabitants had dropped below 700 and it was called a ghost town as early as 1915. The town was designated a national historic landmark in 1961, and in 1962 it became bodie state historic park. Bodies ghost town cemetery in northern california is creepy. The town of bodie became famous with the decline of mining along the western slope of the sierra nevada. By the 1940s sickness, wars, bad weather, and exhausted mines had led to the town s desertion, and its. To walk the streets of this ghost town and peer into the windows of the remaining homes, businesses and sites is to be transported back to the days when bodie was a thriving mining town. Bodie became a state historic park in 1962, and maintains the buildings just as they were found when the state took over the town but they do not restore the buildings, instead choosing to simply preserve the buildings in their aged and weathered 1880s appearance. In a 19 book titled california tourist guide and handbook. Bohdee is a ghost town in the bodie hills east of the sierra nevada mountain range in mono county, california, united states about 75 miles 121 km southeast of lake tahoe, 12 mi 19 km eastsoutheast of bridgeport, at an elevation of 8379 feet 2554 m bodie became a boom town. Bodie has been named californias official state gold rush ghost town.
Ghost town bodie, california home school with a2z home. Please consult government travel advisories before booking. Once a vibrant town of 10,000 residents, it is a state park, a california historical landmark and a national historic landmark. Today, bodie is a california state historic park a whole goldmining ghost town of the bygone gold rush era. Get ready for adventure as ghost town expert philip varney takes you on a tour of northern californias most fascinating historic mining camps and ghost towns.
Bodie, california is a genuine goldmining ghost town located east of the. Most people are aware of the abandoned ghost town called bodie located near the california nevada border. California ghost towns index of picture galleries 300. Most people have long forgotten about this vacant ghost town in northern california. Their discovery gave rise to bodie, one of the wests wildest gold mining boomtowns. A history of bodie, americas most notorious ghost town. Bodie ghost town okanogan 2020 all you need to know. From childrens books, to art books, to history books. Bodie is the creepiest abandoned town in california. Most people are aware of the abandoned ghost town called bodie located near the californianevada border.
The ghost town of bodie, a california state park east of the high sierra series jan 1, 1967. It looks just like it did when the miners and gunslingers many years ago left it. Bodie is a ghost town in the bodie hills east of the sierra nevada mountain range in mono county, california, united states, about 75 miles 121 km southeast of lake tahoe. Bodie, california is a genuine goldmining ghost town located east of the sierra nevada mountain range in mono county, california. Bodie ghost town is named after waterman bodey william bodey, who discovered small amounts of gold in the hills north of mono lake.
Most of the information on this site can be found in the many books on bodie. Nov 04, 2016 the abandoned town now stands as an authentic wild west ghost town, forever frozen in time as a reminder of the gold rush era. It has also been designated a national historic site. Bodie became a state historic park in 1962, and maintains the buildings just as they were found when the state took over the town but they do not restore the buildings, instead choosing to simply preserve the buildings in. Cram atlas of 1900, history of western cities and towns by riley moffat and the california state library census records. Bodey, a listed tin manufacturer in the town of poughkeepsie, new york, and a group of prospectors who set out to california. The districts names spelling changed in 1862 when a painter who lived in the next town over wrote a sign that read bodie. Ghost towns of northern california by philip varney. Reflections in the window of the undertakers invite you to enter in and wander the streets of this haunted california ghost town with your guide, ann zeise, and her homeschool family and friends. In the fall of 2002 the california legislature proclaimed bodie as californias official gold rush ghost town. Today, bodie is preserved in a state of arrested decay. Buildings in the ghost town of bodie, california by kathy weiseralexander. Once thriving, these abandoned mining camps and pioneer villages still ring with history. A few residents remained into the 1940s, and the property was made into a state park in 1962.
By 1880 the phrase badman from bodie described the town s rambunctious inhabitants, earning the community a reputation for violence that rivaled tombstone, deadwood. This ghost town is famous for its state of arrested decay. California ghost town, bodie state historical park my. Alma, california in present times a sign for amboy, california, on the west. Lets set the historic record straight by michael h. The most memorable lines from the john wayne movie the man who shot liberty valance are well suited to bodie. This historic ghost town is very interesting and really gives you a taste of the old goldmining towns. By the end of the 1940s, bodie was a ghost town and was visited only by tourists interested in its history. Also registered as a california historical landmark, the ghost town officially was established as bodie state historic park in 1962. The wild wests best preserved ghost town in 1859, prospectors chasing rumors of mineral wealth found gold east of the sierra nevada mountains. Bohdee is a ghost town in the bodie hills east of the sierra nevada mountain range in mono county, california, united states about 75 miles 121 km southeast of lake tahoe, 12 mi 19 km eastsoutheast of bridgeport, at an elevation of 8379 feet 2554 m bodie became a boom town in 1876 after the discovery of a. California ghost towns index 300 pictures from 28 california ghost towns, mining camps and historic sites. Ghost town of the wild west visiting bodie is the most authentic way to see the reallife setting of the california gold rush.
Aug 09, 2011 bodie is a ghost town located about 80 miles from lake tahoe, east of the sierra nevada mountain range, and about 40 miles north of the tioga pass into yosemite. Updated january 2017 by matthew christopher founded in 1859 as a small camp after the discovery of gold in the hills east of the sierra nevada mountains, bodie never really found prominence until 1876. Explore californias boomandbust heritage as you visit deserted settlements, rusting railways, and abandoned mines. Bodie was the first long distance power transmission, running power from a hydroelectric plant in bridgeport to the town. Tall tales and true history from a california mining town the bodie mining district was established in 1860 after the discovery of gold deposits in the area. Wonderful historical book about this infamous sierra ghost town. It might surprise you however that there are also many ghost towns approximately 250 of varying sizes. Sep 24, 2015 by far the most touristy ghost town in california, calico was a silver mining town that flourished in the 1880s. The story behind this ghost town cemetery in northern california will chill you to the bone. Bodie ghost town in sierra nevada, california learning. In its heyday, from about 18771880, the town of bodie, calif. Apr 19, 2016 bodie appears on every ghost town list for good reason. Ghost town bodie, california home school with a2z homes. Preserved in a state of arrested decay, visitors to bodie are able to explore the turn of the century.
Bodie ghost town and state historical park, california. Visitors can walk down the deserted streets of a city that once had a population of nearly 10,000 people. It is located in a desolate and practically inhospitable place for those who are not native to the land. Bodie has been named california s official state gold rush ghost town. When mining began to decline along the western slope of the sierra nevada, prospectors began to cross the eastern slope in search of their fortunes. Reflections in the window of the undertakers invite you to enter in and wander the streets of this haunted california ghost town with your guide, ann. A larger deposit of gold ore drew more settlers and by 1879 the town had grown to 5,0007,000. See more ideas about ghost towns, bodie california and abandoned places. Bodie, california ghosts of the wild west bay breezin. Jul 03, 2017 bodie is a ghost town in the sierra nevada mountains northeast of yosemite national park. Visiting bodie is the most authentic way to see the reallife setting of the california gold rush. Ghost towns of northern california provides background on the gold rush of 1849 and later strikes, a tony hillerman.