The wheaton and hollis hotel, part of the abandoned ghost town of bodie, california. It is located in a desolate and practically inhospitable place for those who are not native to the land. Bodie is the creepiest abandoned town in california. The districts names spelling changed in 1862 when a painter who lived in the next town over wrote a sign that read bodie. Considered by nearly everyone as americas best ghost town, the city bears the nearly same fabled history as most other ghost towns. The most memorable lines from the john wayne movie the man who shot liberty valance are well suited to bodie. The twostory structure, now stuck in its last incarnation as one of bodies.
Ghost towns of northern california provides background on the gold rush of 1849 and later strikes, a tony hillerman. 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. Bodie has been named california s official state gold rush ghost 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. 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. A history of bodie, americas most notorious ghost town. Cram atlas of 1900, history of western cities and towns by riley moffat and the california state library census records. In a 19 book titled california tourist guide and handbook. 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. Once a vibrant town of 10,000 residents, it is a state park, a california historical landmark and a national historic landmark. In a time when auto travel was on the rise, many travelers reached bodie via automobiles.
From childrens books, to art books, to history books. 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. Today, bodie is preserved in a state of arrested decay. Once thriving, these abandoned mining camps and pioneer villages still ring with history. 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. 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. A ghost town cemetery, bodie, california ventura county library. 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. A ghost town cemetery, bodie, california ventura county. Bodies ghost town cemetery in northern california is creepy. 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.
Ghost towns of northern california by philip varney. 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. 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. Ghost town of the wild west visiting bodie is the most authentic way to see the reallife setting of the california gold rush. Today, bodie is a california state historic park a whole goldmining ghost town. Nov 23, 2019 this historic ghost town is very interesting and really gives you a taste of the old goldmining towns. That is, the town would be kept exactly as it was when the final residents moved away and the town. Bodie state historic park is a genuine california goldmining ghost town. 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. Gold diggers and silver miners, prostitution and social life on. By far the most touristy ghost town in california, calico was a silver mining town that flourished in the 1880s. By the end of the 1940s, bodie was a ghost town and was visited only by tourists interested in its history. Its almost as if time stands still in this exmining town.
Bodie ghost town in california reading comprehension. California ghost towns index 300 pictures from 28 california ghost towns, mining camps and historic sites. 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. 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 and dodge city. What a well preserved ghost town in north east california located near mono lake and yosemite. Bodie ghost town is named after waterman bodey william bodey, who discovered small amounts of gold in the hills north of mono lake.
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. Bodie ghost town and state historical park, california. 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. This historic ghost town is very interesting and really gives you a taste of the old goldmining towns. Bodie ghost town in sierra nevada, california learning history.
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. Buildings in the ghost town of bodie, california by kathy weiseralexander. By 1880 the phrase badman from bodie described the town s rambunctious inhabitants, earning the community a reputation for violence that rivaled tombstone, deadwood. Ghost town bodie, california home school with a2z homes. 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. What its like to live in a california ghost town citylab. Driving in is long and difficult, with the last 3 miles being a graded but very rough dirt road. The wild wests best preserved ghost town in 1859, prospectors chasing rumors of mineral wealth found gold east of the sierra nevada mountains. The san francisco chronicle published an article in 1919 to dispute the ghost town label.
Bodie began as a mining camp in 1859 during the gold rush. Bodey, a listed tin manufacturer in the town of poughkeepsie, new york, and a group of prospectors who set out to california. Also registered as a california historical landmark, the ghost town officially was established as bodie state historic park in 1962. 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. A history of mining in arizona and california along the lower colorado great west and indian series, v. 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. 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. This ghost town is famous for its state of arrested decay. Ghost town expert philip varney equips you with everything you need to know to explore these remnants of the past.
Bodie ghost town in sierra nevada, california learning. Bodeys first name was william, or perhaps waterman. 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. Most people have long forgotten about this vacant ghost town in northern california. Bodie ghost town california one cool thing every weekend.
Jul 03, 2017 bodie is a ghost town in the sierra nevada mountains northeast of yosemite national park. Driving in is long and difficult, with the last 3 miles being a. Most of the information on this site can be found in the many books on bodie. Today, bodie is a california state historic park a whole goldmining ghost town of the bygone gold rush era. Lets set the historic record straight by michael h. There are of course probably hundreds of other smaller cities and towns. 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. 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. Visitors can walk down the deserted streets of a town that once had a population of.
See more ideas about ghost towns, bodie california and abandoned places. 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. Its located a few miles north of mono lake basin and about 10. It might surprise you however that there are also many ghost. 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. Piatt is the first book to tell the complete story of bodie from the arrival of prospector w. By the 1940s sickness, wars, bad weather, and exhausted mines had led to the town s desertion, and its. Most people are aware of the abandoned ghost town called bodie located near the californianevada border. Apr 19, 2016 bodie appears on every ghost town list for good reason. Bodie was the first long distance power transmission, running power from a hydroelectric plant in bridgeport to the town. 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. Sep 24, 2015 by far the most touristy ghost town in california, calico was a silver mining town that flourished in the 1880s. 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. M ore than a decade in the making, this important work by michael h.
In the fall of 2002 the california legislature proclaimed bodie as californias official gold rush ghost town. Today, with the gold mining days of california a distinct memory with almost 200 abandoned wooden buildings in a. It might surprise you however that there are also many ghost towns approximately 250 of varying sizes. Ghost towns visit california visit california road trips. Bodie ghost town, california, united states impossibleliving. In the days when the west was wild, legendmaking fiction. 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. Please consult government travel advisories before booking. 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.
It looks just like it did when the miners and gunslingers many years ago left it. After consulting early record books and aging mono county pioneers, joseph wasson concluded in 1879 that w. Bodie, california is a town frozen in time, and preserved by california state parks in a state of arrested decay. Body william bodey, who had discovered small amounts of gold in hills north of mono lake. A w e s o m e we went there expecting to see some few old crappy houses to find out that. Visitors can walk down the deserted streets of a city that once had a population of nearly 10,000 people. Bodie appears on every ghost town list for good reason.
Bodie has been named californias official state gold rush ghost town. Explore californias boomandbust heritage as you visit deserted settlements, rusting railways, and abandoned mines. The ghost town of bodie, a california state park east of the high sierra series jan 1, 1967. Take a look through the gallery above to see photos of the eerie. Nevada ghost town books ghost towns and history of the. Wonderful historical book about this infamous sierra ghost town. Bodie exploring californias most famous ghost town. The town was designated a national historic landmark in 1961, and in 1962 it became bodie state historic park.
Bodie is a california state park and is maintained in a state of arrested decay. Most people are aware of the abandoned ghost town called bodie located near the california nevada border. The story behind this ghost town cemetery in northern california will chill you to the bone. We had done the entire day of ghost towns starting with nighthawk, then molson, backroads to. Their discovery gave rise to bodie, one of the wests wildest gold mining boomtowns. 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. 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. Bodie is a ghost town in the sierra nevada mountains northeast of yosemite national park. 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.
California ghost town books ghost towns and history of. 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. In 1875, a mine caved in revealing pay dirt which eventually led to the purchase of the mine in 1877. Tall tales and true history from a california mining town. Ghost town bodie, california home school with a2z home. California ghost town, bodie state historical park my. To be an offseason caretaker of bodie, california winter population. The history behind this remote hotel in northern california is both eerie and fascinating.
The book cleverly maps out the towns in geographical order and thus makes it. The curse of this california ghost town will give you goosebumps. A larger deposit of gold ore drew more settlers and by 1879 the town had grown to 5,0007,000. Bodie ghost town okanogan 2020 all you need to know. Body was originally from poughkeepsie, new york, and that he had resided in tuolumne county, california, before crossing the sierra. It has also been designated a national historic site. Body in 1859 to the quiet departure a century later of the dying towns last residents. The states fragile goldmining ghost town was rattled by series of moderate earthquakes, ranging from magnitude 5. Jul 15, 2012 ghost towns of california is a guidebook to the states best boomtowns. Bodie ghost town best abandoned mining town california. Visiting bodie is the most authentic way to see the reallife setting of the california gold rush.
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. 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 the most wellpreserved ghost town in the west. 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. Bodie, california is a genuine goldmining ghost town located east of the. California ghost towns index of picture galleries 300. May 05, 2001 ghost towns of northern california provides background on the gold rush of 1849 and later strikes, a tony hillerman. Alma, california in present times a sign for amboy, california, on the west. In its heyday, from about 18771880, the town of bodie, calif. Purchased the book to locate ghost towns to explore in california. Bodie, california is a genuine goldmining ghost town located east of the sierra nevada mountain range in mono county, california. 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. 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.
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