If you’ve never been to a ghost town California is a great place to find one. In fact many of these mining communities which drive during the late 1800 are now popular tourist attractions.
Hi I'm Veronica Hill of California Travel Tips. Let's tour the deity’s street of Calico and learn more about life in the old west.
Located ten miles north to Barstow, Calico Ghost Town in Yermo was main for the rainbow color hills that produce one of the richest silver strikes in California history. This was a wild and woody place with 22 saloons it’s own red like district and several fine restaurant. By 1887 there were 1200 people living in Calico.
Children of local merchants and miners attended the one room Calico school which sometimes doubled for church service on Sundays. Back in 1885 school teachers made about $80.00 to $100.00 a month and children played games like marbles, ball and beam bag toast.
Plan on a full day to explore this historic ghost town you can relax on a rocking chair, play a game at checkers on the porch or enjoy some good old passion gold penny.
On the Calico in old desert narrow gage railway we learn that Calico had ten major mines and more than 30 miles of underground passages.
Today that only mine safe and have to enter is the Maggie shop. Here you can explore 1000 feet of tunnel, check out the glory hole and view the formers sleeping dugout of miner John Mulcahy. Calico began its life in 1881 and produced more than $20 million in silver. One of Calico’s more profitable mines was the Silver King and addition of nine million in barrack was harvested from Calico’s mill cannon.
One of the east Calico hiking trills you'll find unique cabins curve into the rocky hillsides. Lumber was scares so hard rock miners were creative sometimes even using bottle as building material. Today Calico has five surviving original buildings. They include the Park Office, Lanes General Store, and Lil’s Saloon. The one that mining company building is now home to a fortune teller.
Well lunch time grab a cool sarsaparilla in Lunch Plate at the Calico house restaurant then tour the bat house where you'll find antique tops, a laundry press, and old west kitchen. The Black Smith Shop is home to several antique tools and equipment.
Calico was deserted by the 1930’s when mining was no longer profitable. Walter Nut purchased the crumbling town in 1951 for $13,500.00 restoring it to its former glory.
To learn more about Calico Ghost Town history visit the Lucy Lane Home built in 1887 now it’s a museum where you can view historic photos and some of the lands old belonging. Despite its rustic appearance Calico takes credit cards and there are several ATM ‘s on site. You can even stay the night a Calico’s camp ground or bank house.
Make sure to stay until dust when the park closes. You can grab a cold beer and burger at Calico’s Old Miners Café then watches the stunning Mohave sunset. It’s a magical way to end the day in the California desert.
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