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This is what is left of Bodie. An original ghost town from the 1870's and 1880's. Bodie stands today in a state of "arrested decay". So coined by the State of California when they took over the town in 1962 to make it a State Historic Park.
In 1859 William (a.k.a. Waterman) S. Body discovered gold near what is now called Bodie Bluff. A mill was established in 1861 and the town began to grow. It started with about 20 miners and grew to an estimated 10,000 people by 1880! By that time, the town of Bodie bustled with families, robbers, miners, store owners, gunfighters and prostitutes of all kinds. At one time there was reported to be 65 saloons in town. Amongst the saloons were numerous brothels and 'houses of ill repute', gambling halls and opium dens. Needless to say that there was entertainment for every taste.
After a long day working the claims, the miners would head for the bars and the red light district to spend their earnings. The mixture of money and gold would often prove fatal. It is said that there was a man killed every day in Bodie. The undertaker was really makin' a killing.
There are records that Wm. Body took a ship from New York, around the horn to end up in San Fransisco. The name of the town was changed at some point in time, before the majority of the people made their way to Bodie. The reason for this was to keep the correct pronunciation of Bodie, rather than body. Today, even though the town is buried 13 miles off of a little known state highway, it is amazing just how many people are aware of this once glorious town.
There is a story about a little girl, who wrote in her diary just before her family moved from San Francisco to Bodie. Keeping in mind the harsh weather and dangerous reputation, here is what she wrote: "Goodbye God, I'm going to Bodie" or "Good, by God, I'm going to Bodie". I'll let you decide for yourself.
 Now & Then |
