Ghost towns in California — from Gold Rush boomtowns to abandoned mining camps in the Sierra Nevada.
Cerro Gordo Ghost Town, California: The Silver Mine That Built Los Angeles California Gold & Silver Mining 4WD required · ~16 min read Quick facts Primary discovery1865 — Pablo Flores District organizedApril 1866 Peak population4,000–4,800 (mid-1870s) First abandonment~1880 (post-fire) Zinc era1905–1940s Final mining endLate 1940s Primary industrySilver, lead, zinc State / CountyCalifornia / Inyo County…
Calico Ghost Town, California: The Silver Camp Saved by a Theme Park Legend California Gold & Silver Mining Entry Fee Applies · ~10 min read Quick facts Silver discovery1881 Peak population1,200 – 3,000 (1887-1890) Major mineSilver King Mine Decline began1896 (Silver price crash) Completely abandoned1907 Total silver output~$20 million State / CountyCalifornia / San Bernardino…
Bodie Ghost Town, California: The Most Lawless City in the American West California Gold & Silver Mining State Historic Park · ~18 min read Quick facts Gold discoveryJuly 1859 Major boom triggered1876 (Bunker Hill Mine) Peak population8,000–10,000 (c.1879) Decline began1879 Mining ended1942 Total gold & silver output$34–70 million (1860–1942) Buildings surviving110 (of ~2,000 original) Elevation8,375…