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Photo: My Grandparents
Driving through the dusty roads of Bodie up to my cabin every Fourth of July, looking out the window at the white peaks in the water from the warm summer breeze just waiting to jump into the water. Arriving at my cabin and smelling pine cones and redwoods surrounding my cabin. My family and I have created such a memorable experience visiting my cabin every Fourth of July. Jumping in the lake, tubing, visiting in white winters, hiking in the dry deserts of Bridgeport, playing cards out on our deck looking at the beautiful mountains. Bridgeport fills my heart with joy and nostalgia thinking of all the memories created with family and friends.
What is a Ghost Town?
Photo: Mono County California
According to wonderopolis site “a ghost town is defined as settlements that spring up due to a particular economic activity, such as the discovery of a natural resource.” They can become ghost towns when that commodity runs out. If there is one ghost town that fits that exact definition it is Bodie. Bodie is dry, and deserted, and overall adds a horrifying feeling to Bridgeport. When visiting Bodie during the summer you will find it very dry and hot but during the winter times, you will find it cold and covered in snow. Back in the 1800’s Bodie held many valuable resources that attracted many people. Later on, Bodie lost all its attractive resources which made it a ghost town.
How Bodie grew it's fame
Photo: My cousin
William S. discovered the town of Bodie and its main attraction gold. 1859-1880 the town of Bodie began to grow with a mill being established and population growing from 20 miners to 10,000 people. Through this time period of 1876-1880 Bodie had grown significantly. As its mining industry grew rapidly so did its population. It was at a few dozen and growing to around 10,000 people. Culture, ethnicity, and notability were brought into the Bodie Hills when the population grew. With the railroad being built and completed it allowed the residents of Bodie at the time to have availability to mine support, fuel, and building construction. Between 1876 and 1882, the community grew to over 10,000. By the time the last mine closed in 1942, Bodie had produced over $30 million in gold.
How Bodie became a ghost town
Photos: My Cousin and Uncle
According to the Visit Mammoth site, “a kitchen fire in the summer of 1892 destroyed much of town to the west of the main street. The town was rebuilt, although the damage was done and several residents left. Tragedy struck Bodie again in the early summer of 1932 when most of the town burnt to the ground. This fire, which was accidentally started by a young boy playing with matches, sealed the fate of the once glorious mining town. After major mining ended in 1915 and small-scale mining efforts halted in the early 1950s, the remaining buildings slowly began to decay as residents left or passed on. Due to the town's remarkable ghost town-like remains and the value of the minerals mined from the surrounding hills, the town received National Landmark Status in 1961. California adopted the Bodie State Historic Park in 1962 and it remains today preserved and maintained by the Bodie Foundation.”
Photo: My Cousin
My family and I continue to visit our cabin today and have yet to visit the ghost town of Bodie. We will continue to make everlasting memories and enjoy the history our cabin and Bodie hold. California’s official state gold rush ghost town Bodie is located about an hour out from my cabin in Bridgeport. With only visiting Bodie a few times I have always heard stories about how Bodie has shaped gold rush history to this day.
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