Bodie is a ghost town located at Mono County, California, east of the Sierra Nevada Mountain. It is the best preserved original gold mining town. No one has lived in the town for many years. It was designated as a National Historical Landmark and administrated by the California State Park. With the financial crises, the park was scheduled to be closed by the California State Government. Eventually a compromise was reached and Bodie still open for the 2009-2010 season. When we were there, it was guarded by one lone State Park ranger with much shorter opening time.
Bodie started as a mining camp when gold was discovered in 1859. At the peak of its boom in 1879, it has a population of 5000-7000 people with over 2000 buildings. Now less than 10% of the buildings still stand. It is a photographers' paradise, the old buildings gave very rich and saturated color.
Here you can see Grace's reflection from the old shop windows.
The field is littered with various mining equipments and wagons.
Some of the interior of the buildings are still preserved, make us felt some ghosts were still hung around the room and having a drink with their mining buddies.
One of the building of Bodie was moved to the near by town of Bridgeport and has been used as a small motel. Apparently it is in a better conditions than those left behind. Here you can see the reflection of Bridgeport courthouse from its very elegant window.To see more entries of the Weekend Reflection click here.
17 comments:
I like the "ghostly" reflections. Actually I love the photos with the old wood best! Wonderful!
It seems absolutely to be a photographers heaven - these were impressive. The information made it even better.
I love ghost towns and abandoned places, they are so interesting.
This a place that I've never been to but I'd like to see one day. The pictures really look great.
Great series. The 4th photo is superb -- suitable for framing.
It's great to hear this has been preserved, but I hope budget cuts don't shut it down. I really like the sequence and the shot with George! Thanks for sharing!
What wonderful images of these old buildings. Love the glass in the old windows.
Nicely done!
Carletta’s Captures.
Picture Nr 1 is awesome!
One can easily imagine what life was like...
wow, great reflections!
Great series of shots, it looks like the perfect place for photography!
History and artistry together. I love the isolation of the building.
The Bodie ghost town sounds like a fascinating place to visit. Your photos are great!
Wow great series and reflections.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for this very interesting tour. I really like the old weathered wood. A shame about the possibility of it being closed — I hope the county finds the resources to keep it open in the future.
Happy weekend!
It looks like this town is still a "goldmine" of subject matter! These are all wonderful, but the shot of the abandoned buckboard is spectacular. Great series. Kathy
Nice photos, especially the first, that reminds me of a painting...
What an interesting place, it would be a shame if it isn't preserved and such a great historical site is lost. I've just been reading Isabel Allende's 'Daughter of Fortune', which has a large section set during the California gold rush, so this is a very timely post for me!
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