| The “wild west” gold rush town of Bodie, California is said to be one of the best preserved ghost towns of all times. W.S. Bodie (W.S. because his first name isn’t really known) discovered gold here in 1859 but the town didn’t really become a “boomtown” until 1875 when a large body of gold ore was found and the population skyrocketed to over 7,000. From 1877-1881 things were really lively here with as many as 65 saloons along the mile long Main Street and about 2,000 buildings in the town but as soon as the gold ran out so did all of the people. The town population dropped 41% by 1890 and Bodie was labeled as a “ghost town” in 1915. By 1942 only 3 people were left. About $100 million dollars in gold was mined from Bodie, California. |
Bodie, California 1890 Click to see full view… |
| Bodie is located about 172 miles southeast of Reno, Nevada and about 468 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada and getting there is not easy but well worth the trip! To get to Bodie you have to drive 13 miles East on State highway 270 just off of U.S. Highway 395 (between Bridgeport, CA and Mono Lake, CA). *The last 3 miles is a winding, rough, and unpaved dirt road. The park is technically open all year long but because of its 8379 foot elevation for all practical purposes summertime is the best time to visit. Summer hours are 9am-6pm (April 15th to October 31st). |
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Entrance to Bodie, California Click to see full view… |
Bodie Intersection of Green and Fuller Streets Click to see full view… |
Plaque at Parking Lot Click to see full view… |
Methodist Church on Fuller Street Click to see full view… |
Inside the Methodist Church Click to see full view… |
David Victor Cain House Click to see full view… |
Dan McDonald House Click to see full view… |
Charles Donnelly House Click to see full view… |
James S. Cain House Click to see full view… |
Tom Miller House Click to see full view… |
Miller Fireplace Click to see full view… |
Miller Bedroom Click to see full view… |
Miller Bedroom Click to see full view… |
Miller Kitchen Click to see full view… |
Miller Living Room Click to see full view… |
View Towards Chinatown Area Click to see full view… |
Ore Cars and Standard Stamp Mill Click to see full view… |
Union Street Road To Standard Stamp Mill Click to see full view… |
Standard Stamp Mill Click to see full view… |
Mine Lift Equipment Click to see full view… |
View Towards Main Street of Bodie Click to see full view… |
Another View Towards Main Street Click to see full view… |
Sam Leon Saloon and Barbershop Click to see full view… |
Inside of Leon Barbershop Click to see full view… |
Inside of Leon Saloon Click to see full view… |
Bodie Firehouse Click to see full view… |
Harvey Boone Store and Warehouse Click to see full view… |
Inside Boone Store Click to see full view… |
Goods on Shelves Boone Store Click to see full view… |
Center of Boone Store Click to see full view… |
More Goods on Boone Store Shelves Click to see full view… |
Inside of Boone Warehouse Click to see full view… |
1927 Dodge Truck/ Wheaton Building in Background Click to see full view… |
Wheaton Hollis Hotel Saloon Click to see full view… |
DeChambeau Hotel and I.O.O.F Building Click to see full view… |
Inside the DeChambeau Hotel Click to see full view… |
Gym Inside I.O.O.F. Hall Click to see full view… |
View Down Green Street Towards Schoolhouse Click to see full view… |
Inside Eli and Lottie Johl House on Main Street Click to see full view… |
Another View of Green Street, Bodie Click to see full view… |
Leaving Bodie, Mono Lake in Distance Click to see full view… |