Following the morning hike to Gaylor Lakes above Tioga Pass in Yosemite National Park, Mel and I will have lunch in Lee Vining then drive north on Hwy 395 past Mono Lake towards Bridgeport, California. A right turn on S.R. 270 and 13 miles (21 KM) of varied road take us to Bodie State Park, the location of Bodie, California’s last gold rush town, now a ghost town. There is an entrance fee and the purchase of an inexpensive guide is advisable. Bodie is at an elevation of 8,375 ft (2,553 m).
A view from the entrance to Bodie State Park in California USA
There is a wealth of Internet information about Bodie. For that reason, I will link to a few of the best and make this post generally a photo essay. I have chosen the best and most representative photographs from hundreds taken. There are thousands more available on the Internet. These are mine. Enjoy!
The first home on our walking tour is Dolan House. The Dolan family spawned two Mono County Sheriffs around the turn of the century. Subsequently this was the home of Frank McDonell.
The only church left standing in Bodie is the 1882 Methodist Church at the corner of Green and Fuller Streets. The final service was held in 1932. The Catholic Church burned down in 1928
The interior of the Methodist Church is protected after being badly vandalized. The Ten Commandments painted on oilcloth (Thou shalt not steal), and hung behind the pulpit, was stolen.
McDonald House subsequently owned by the Burkam family.
Home of James and Martha Cain, married in Carson City, Nevada on September 17, 1879. An influential businessman who became the town's principal property owner. The home is on the corner of Green and Park Streets.
The small sawmill was important for cutting firewood to survive brutal winters.
The view north along Park Street with the butcher Charlie Donnelly's House first in the line. Charlie married English artist Annie Pagdin. The home was subsequently owned by E. W. Billeb and his wife Dolly who was the daughter of James and Martha Cain. The garden in front of house was the only green spot in town. It is said hops were the only green plants that could survive in Bodie.
Ruins in the foreground with the ruins of the Mastretti Liquor Warehouse behind
Remaining buildings in Chinatown are a Chinese residence and Tong Sing Wo west of Bonanza Street, also known as "Virgin Alley" and "Maiden Lane". The ruins of the Mastretti Liquor Warehouse lies to the east.
Foreground ruins with a view to the Standard Mill Complex on the hill east of Bodie, California
The Bodie Jail with the Stuart Kirkwood Livery Stable and blacksmith shop. From 1879 to 1880, Bodie's population peaked near !0,000 people
The remains of the Bodie Bank which escaped the fire of 1892 but succumbed to the fire of 1932. The barred brick structure contains the vault.
Looking through the bars to the vault inside. Robbed on September 1, 1916 by 4 men who escaped with $4,000 in cash and jewelry.
The Masonic Hall, Bodie Lodge # 252. Received dispensation July 30, 1878 and charter October 16, 1879 with 13 members. Peaked at 93 members in 1882 and shut down in 1918.
One of up to 30 mine shafts in Bodie. This one is in the foreground of the Standard Mine Stamp Mill
At photo left, the Dechambeau Hotel and Post Office - next to the I.O.O.F Hall # 279. First floor housed an undertaking business.
Gas pumps at the Boone Store and Warehouse
The Wheaton and Hollis Hotel became the Power Company office and finished as a boarding house.
The front of the Boone Store and Warehouse
Back at the Cain residence on the corner of Green and Park Streets.
Hydropower equipment exhibits as I leave Bodie Townsite for the cemeteries to the west.
Looking back at Bodie on the approach to the four cemeteries
The entrance to the Wards Area of the Cemetery. The other three areas are the Chinese Area, north corner outside the fence, the Masonic Area to the south, and the Miners Union Area at the very south.
Although I photographed each burial site, I will include only a few that represent influence of immigrants and the hardship reducing lifespans, particularly the vulnerability of children.
As I leave the cemeteries, the Bodie morgue lies just to west of the entrance.
The Bodie morgue east of the entrance to the Cemetery site.
Behind and near the morgue, to the southwest, is a single tombstone for the burial site of Rosa May.
The 'Boot Hill' grave marker for Rosa May.
The 'Boot Hill' grave marker for Rosa May.
Rosa May’s story embodies only one notorious side of the story about life in Bodie. Books have been written. The stories are fascinating and a great amount of information has been preserved. California has designated the ghost town of Bodie as a State Park and is doing a magnificent job of maintaining the site in arrested decay after years of abuse by vandals. Continued funding is tenuous and assistance will benefit this rich historical location in the Bodie Hills. If you happen to be within striking range, I definitely recommend you spend a few hours, a day or two, in this place. Buy something at the museum to support the cause. We did.
I was like a kid with candy but I tried to avoid embarrassing myself. This is a very interesting and historical place.
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Love those pics. Interesting place.
Good to hear from you, Ken. I believe Bodie is the largest and best ghost town I have had the opportunity to tour. It was one of the last in the California Gold Rush and was well developed in spite of its remote location in the Bodie Hills combined with very severe weather swings. The American Southwest, and northwest, is laced with mining ghost towns which spurred the movement of people from the east to the west coast in search of wealth. Some of my best missions throughout my life have been the search for ghost towns and researching their history. The larger towns are often microcosms of the scope of society from best to worst. Thanks for your comment.
Bodie sure puts into perspective, how far society has changed over the last 100 years. Makes me wonder what will be in store in the future. I enjoyed the picture of the fuel pumps in Bodie. Couldn’t help but notice the old Shell sign. I’ll have to show this to my boss.
Thank you for your comment, Bill. Bodie is remarkably well preserved and a few of the buildings have been modified as inconspicuously as possible to house Bodie State Park staff and attractions. The gas station in Bodie was a Shell Oil Company station. The holes in the Shell sign are bullet holes. Bodie was notorious for bad and bawdy behaviour. I hope your boss enjoys the link to the past. Please send your boss the link and contact me on that if I can be of further assistance.
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