Bodie, Ca. ~ A Gold mining Ghost Town and a photographers paradise

Just off the US 395 north of Mono lake and south of Bridgeport is the ghost town of Bodie. Take the State highway 270 east for about 10 miles to where the pavement ends. Another 3 miles on the dirt road gets you to the parking areas.

Map of Eastern Sierras

Bodie began as a mining camp in 1859 with just a few prospectors. However, in 1876 a large discovery of gold turned it into a boom town. From 1877 to 1882, Bodie was a bustling town with more than 10,000 residents. Over 2000 structures existed and the mine produced more than $35 million in gold and silver. Bodie, one of the richest gold strikes in California was known back then, as the most lawless, wildest and toughest mining camps in the West. Although two large fires wiped out a lot of the town, there are still over 100 structures to see.

Bodie’s heyday was short- lived. The year 1881 saw the town in the grips of decline. The rich mines were depleted, and mining companies went bankrupt as the miners and business people left for more lucrative areas. By 1886 Bodie’s population had decreased to 1500. By 1890, the introduction of electricity brought a short resurgence to the town but a fire in 1892 wiped out a large portion of the buildings and another fire in 1932 destroyed all but 10 percent of the remaining buildings.

By 1940 Bodie had become a ghost town. Most of the residents left their belongings because it was too hard to pack them out. The town is now owned and maintained in a state of “arrested decay” by the Parks association.

Pick up a town map at the visitors center and spend hours walking around checking out the buildings, peeking in windows and getting a feeling for what it was like to live here during Bodies heyday.

Bodie Gold Mining Equipment

If you bring a picnic, there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy being in this eerie but fun place. The town has its share of ghosts, including James Cain’s Chinese maid/mistress at The Cain house and the phantom children playing at The Mendocino House. Maybe you’ll get a glimpse of them during your visit.

Be sure not to take any souvenirs from this ghost town or risk being struck by the “Bodie curse.”

For more Eastern Sierra day trips check out our blog on the Lakes of the Eastern Sierras.