Bodie is one of the most intact remaining ghost towns in the lower forty-eight states. As a California State Park, it is preserved in a state of “arrested decay.” It is kept in its current condition with minimal restoration so visitors can experience what it was like to see an old mining town. It would have disappeared long ago if not for this protective status and its remote location. Still, fires and vandals have removed much of what used to be here.
When the gold rush in California began to slow down, miners headed east over the Sierra Nevada mountains in search of new riches. In 1859, William Bodey discovered gold in the high and barren hills of Mono County. This discovery quickly led to the establishment of a mining camp, which soon grew into a boomtown.
By 1880, Bodie had a population of over 10,000 people. It was a rough-and-tumble town with a reputation for being wild and wicked. Saloons, gambling halls, and brothels lined the streets, and gunfights were a regular occurrence.
One story that is often repeated about Bodie is that of a young girl who, upon learning that she was going to live there with her family, wrote a letter to God saying, "Goodbye God, I'm going to Bodie."
My photos are from many trips up to Bodie over the years, so there are a few of the same ones. Some are scanned from film and are of poor quality.
Visit the California State Parks page on Bodie for current information on the site.
- Bodie Ghost Town: 38.21216°, -119.01418°
