It’s fun to wander through California’s ghost towns; the old, abandoned structures are both creepy and interesting. The ghost town of Bodie is managed by the California State Parks system; it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and has 110 preserved buildings. Bodie is California’s official state gold rush town. While people love to visit, some say that when they leave, a curse follows them.
During its gold rush heydey around 1877, Bodie had as many as 10,000 residents.
Bruce Fingerhood/flickr
The town had several churches…
Don Graham/flickr
..and as many as 65 taverns for the thirsty miners.
Brandon/flickr
Other buildings included a bank, jail, grocer and even a red light district.
Matt Northam/flickr
Like a gold rush towns, Bodie’s heyday had to come to an end. By 1910, the town had just under 700 residents; by 1920 only 120 people lived there.
Wayne Stadler/flickr
In the 1940s, the owners of the property hired caretakers to look after the abandoned buildings; it became a state park in 1962.
Dave R/flickr
Bodie sits in a state of “arrested decay,” which means that the state park hasn’t been renovated in any way. Instead, the buildings and their contents are preserved exactly as they were found in 1961.
Jeff Moser/flickr
Taking a little souvenir is illegal - everything in Bodie belongs to the state park. But some visitors just can’t resist…and they end up paying for their misdeeds.
Wayne Stadler/flickr
Bodie supposedly has a curse on it - anyone who takes souvenirs from the town’s buildings or property is said to experience extremely bad luck as long as they have the stolen item.
Lenae Zebest/flickr The caretakers say that they receive tons of mail, containing the stolen items and pleas to lift the curse. Everything from nails to hot water heaters has been returned.
But the curse isn’t the only paranormal activity going on at Bodie. It’s haunted, too.
Fred Moore/flickr Visitors report seeing spirits and hearing footsteps, laughter and yelling. During the height of Bodie’s success, crime was rampant. Drunk miners killed each other almost daily; it was a violent place. Some of those who died during violent brawls are still said to be wandering the grounds.
Have you ever visited Bodie?
Bruce Fingerhood/flickr
Don Graham/flickr
Brandon/flickr
Matt Northam/flickr
Wayne Stadler/flickr
Dave R/flickr
Jeff Moser/flickr
Lenae Zebest/flickr
The caretakers say that they receive tons of mail, containing the stolen items and pleas to lift the curse. Everything from nails to hot water heaters has been returned.
Fred Moore/flickr
Visitors report seeing spirits and hearing footsteps, laughter and yelling. During the height of Bodie’s success, crime was rampant. Drunk miners killed each other almost daily; it was a violent place. Some of those who died during violent brawls are still said to be wandering the grounds.
Want to check out more abandoned places in Northern California? Check out these 17 Abandoned Place That Nature Is Reclaiming.
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