Bodie, California, which is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the western USA, was once a thriving boomtown with over 10,000 people and home to one of the richest gold strikes in California.

It became a State Historic Park in 1962, with the park authority's maintaining the buildings in a state of 'arrested decay', which means nothing is repaired.

This policy to restore the buildings and relics in their aged and weathered 1880s appearance.

In 1859 William S. Bodey discovered gold near what is now called Bodie Bluff.

A mill was established in 1861 and the town began to grow. Starting with about 20 miners and grew to an estimated 10,000 people by 1880.

By then, the town of Bodie had families, robbers, miners, store owners, gunfighters, prostitutes and people from every country in the world.

By 1879, more than 2,000 buildings were dotted among the rolling hills with 70 saloons; numerous brothels and 'houses of ill repute'; gambling halls and opium dens; a bowling alley and dance halls, general stores, hotels, churches and about 200 restaurants.

On a daily basis miners would emerge from the mills and head for the bars and the red light district to spend their earnings.

The mixture of money, gold and alcohol would sometimes prove fatal.

Newspapers of the time reported how townspeople would ask in the mornings : "Have we a man for breakfast?" (Did anyone get killed last night?)

This wild, wide-open gold mining town demanded a reputation for danger and depravity, inspiring the famous quote :

I'm going to Bodie

There's a story about a little girl whose family was moving to the town from San Francisco who is said to have written in her diary either : Good, by God, I'm going to Bodie or Goodbye God, I'm going to Bodie.

Bodie today remains much as it was with houses and businesses lining the streets and the church, a home and a few other buildings open to the public.

Free tours around the town are available that take in the processing stamp mill.

At 8,375 feet in elevation, Bodie's high altitude and desert location makes the air exceptionally dry, so water and sun cream is a must.

Bodie is accessible only by over-snow vehicles in winter.

Useful links

www.bodie.com

www.visitmammoth.com