Located northeast of Yosemite National Park on S.R. 270 is the historic gold mining town of Bodie, home to one of the richest gold strikes in California. This was once known as the most lawless and toughest mining camp in the West. 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 is 13 miles east of Highway 395, the last 3 miles to the park is a very rough dirt road. The town sits at an elevation of 8,375 feet.
The town of Bodie was named after Waterman S. Body, who discovered gold here in 1859. The change in spelling of the town's name has often been attributed to an illiterate sign painter, but it was a deliberate change by the citizenry to ensure proper pronunciation.
In 1859 W.S. Bodey and E. S. "Black" Taylor stumbled upon one of the richest gold strikes. The ore extracted from the Bodie Hills amounted to millions in gold and silver. Unfortunately, Bodey was not able to enjoy his discovery - he froze to death in a blizzard while returning with supplies in November 1859.
Bodie faded into a ghost town during the 1940's.
In 1962 the small part of the town that had
survived the 1932 fire was designated a State
Historic Park and a National Historic Landmark. What remains of the town of Bodie, preserved in a state of "arrested decay," exists as it did when the last residents left. The interiors are maintained as they were left, still furnished and stocked with goods, providing a snapshot of the past.Some say that the town is cursed. There are postings to please leave all artifacts where they lie. Nothing is to be removed from the area. Some say that removing items will bring bad luck to those removing items. This may be true as almost every day the Park Service receives items being returned in the mail to Bodie, with notes apologizing for having removed such items, and hope that their luck will change.
It was a bit eerie peering into the windows and seeing how things were left when the people left Bodie.Another interesting find along the way!
Until later, Candy and Johnny
