Located east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County, California, Bodie stands as a relic from a bygone era, a true ghost town echoing the gold-mining past. This town, frozen in time, offers a comprehensive glimpse into the rough lifestyle of the Gold Rush period, in an environment that was far from friendly. During its heyday in 1880, Bodie boasted a population of around 10,000. However, it was abandoned in the early 1940s and now stands eerily silent.
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As the gold-mining prospects dwindled on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, the prospectors began to explore the eastern slope, hoping to strike it rich. Among them was William S. Bodey (also known as Waterman), who struck gold near what is now known as Bodie Bluff in 1859. Unfortunately, Bodey succumbed to a snowstorm that same winter, never witnessing the birth of the town bearing his name.
The discrepancy in the town’s name from its founder is attributed to either an illiterate sign painter’s mistake or a conscious change by the citizens to ensure proper pronunciation.
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The inception of the Bunker Hill Mine and its mill in 1861 attracted around 20 miners to the area. Bodie, however, remained a minor mining encampment for the following 17 years. The Bunker Hill Mine and Mill, situated on the western slope of Bodie Bluff, experienced a series of ownership changes before being sold to four partners in 1877. The partners rebranded it as the Standard Mining Company, and shortly after discovered a rich gold ore vein. This propelled the town’s economy, and by 1878, the population had surged to around 5,000. Over the next quarter-century, the Standard Mine would generate gold worth nearly 15 million dollars.
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The winter of 1878-79 brought an array of challenges for the citizens of Bodie. The brutal winter, rife with disease and exposure, claimed hundreds of lives, while accidents in the mines and an explosion further increased the death toll.
Despite the hardships, the population continued to swell, with miners, gamblers, and businesspeople alike flocking to the area. By 1879, Bodie was home to around 10,000 residents and 2,000 structures. Soon, Bodie boasted 30 gold mines, 65 saloons, various brothels, gambling houses, opium dens, and an array of reputable establishments like banks, schools, churches, and newspapers. Saloons lined the mile-long main…
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