GOLD MINE GONE BUST
BODIE,CA
Bodie had its heyday from 1877-1881. It was a thriving village nestled in the hills of the eastern Sierras and home to about 30 gold mines. The area was mined until the 1930's. It became a state park in 1962.
The Standard Mill, one of the longest operating mines, yielded more than $18 million in its 38 years of operation. Today you can wander the streets of the ghost town and enjoy the remaining buildings that are kept in a state of "arrested decay".
Sam Leon's bar and barber shop
James Stuart Cain's house- he was a lumberman and banker in Bodie. His family bought up buildings as the town folded. He always believed the mines would prosper again.They eventually sold everything to the state.
We happily wandered for hours- peered in all the windows and checked out the old mining equipment.
Today the town is located thirteen miles from the main road. Where once there was the pounding noise of the stamping mills- now you hear the sound of wind and Raven wings.
