[ Maria Soto Photography

HISTORIC BODIE, CA - (09.09) - B&W

This summer as we set out on our vacation thru the Southwest, we headed up to Reno and down 395 passing a small sign that said, "Bodie". My husband Ron said, hey, do we want to go to Bodie? And I said, heck yeah! I'd heard stories from friends who had been there and it always sounded so intriguing to me. I mean it IS a Ghost Town! I had no idea how many buildings were still left standing. The State Parks is not restoring the remains of Bodie, but only maintaining them. So one day the town will be gone. Bodie was a gold mining town established in 1859 when gold was first discovered, as well as a silver mining town. With this discovery, the population increased to 10,000 and had 65 saloons. The brochure states, "...Killings occurred with monotonous regularity...", and I'm thinking I'm glad I was born in the 20th century!

Click on the pictures for a closer view ...

Bodie Sawmill
The mill was kept busy cutting wood, as Bodie's winters were harsh with up to 20' of snow.

Abandoned Residence
A glimpse into one of many abandoned homes.

Side view of window

Remains of the day

A view from the past

Bodie Spirit?
They say there are spirits in Bodie. When I took this photo(film) I honestly didn't see this in the viewfinder.

J.S. Cain Residence
James Cain was the town's principal property owner, entering into the lumber business to transport lumber to the Bodie mines.

Bodie Headboard and wash basin

Bodie Buggy Frame
The skeleton of a buggy frame are all that remain of this mode of transportation.

Bodie Archway
This is the remains of a structure and I shot this with my small digital....and alas succumbed to turning it to B&W.

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