With Halloween on the horizon, the media is shifting into full “spooky season” mode. Sure, you could just veg out on the couch and binge scary movies—but why settle for screen time when you can experience the real thing? Here in the High Sierra, we’re lucky to enjoy a fall season filled with sunshine and typically warm daytime temperatures. It’s the perfect excuse to explore ghost towns in California—especially those tucked away in the High Sierra—in person. Skip the “trick” this October and treat yourself to a rare combo: eerie history and beautiful weather.
Largest Unrestored Ghost Town In The West
In its prime, Bodie was home to over 10,000 residents in the 1870’s and 80’s producing over 35 million dollars in gold. A grim reminder of the boom & bust era of mining in the Wild West, the abandoned town is now a State Historic Park and considered California’s official ghost town. Bodie has not been reconstructed or “spruced up.” Instead, this historic treasure is a time capsule, and it’s left as is. For example, when the general store shut its doors in 1912, it was locked up with its shelves stocked – today, peeking through the wavy glass, you’ll see the same items. With the option to explore yourself or on a daily guided tour (or especially during the annual Friends of Bodie event complete with reenactors), you can experience a glimpse of what life was like back then.
Soak Up The History In Benton
Southeast of the mining town is another little hamlet that’s nearly a ghost town – Benton. Starting as a waypoint for weary travelers on their way to Aurora and Benton. What began its journey to becoming a boom town wasn’t gold though, it was silver! This helped the community thrive for more than FIFTY years. What allowed it to not fully collapse was another crucial resource in the parched Eastern Sierra – its hot springs. You can still enjoy a private pool by booking a room at the 1940’s B&B Inn or camping site. Due to its popularity and unique experience, be sure to reserve far in advance. To see how to get there and what’s there to do, check out the Local Freshies® trip from Bishop to Benton California.
Ghost of a Ghost Town
The scenic Ebbetts Pass Byway offers plenty of outdoor adventures from sparkling alpine lakes to jaw dropping mountain views.
Back in 1861, as news of a rich silver vein along Silver Creek spread, miners from Virginia City’s Comstock Lode rushed in. And Silver Mountain City was born. By 1864, it had exploded to over 3,000 residents, becoming the original Alpine County seat.
But the boom didn’t last. By 1876, many miners were drawn away to Bodie, and the county seat moved to Markleeville. Even some of Silver Mountain’s buildings made the move, including the old Alpine County Jail and what’s now home to Cutthroat Brewing.
Today, all that remains of Silver Mountain City is the Chalmers Mansion and a small pioneer cemetery, Silent reminders of its once thriving past.
First Tourist Destination In Tahoe
Another option is to head to South Lake Tahoe. On the surface, you might think “Ghost town?!? What Ghost Town?!?” Just below the slopes of Mount Tallac is a place called Glen Alpine Springs located on one of the easiest day hikes in Tahoe. Widely known as a tourist destination in the Lake Tahoe basin back in the 1870’s, people from afar including John Muir visited this place to get some rest and relaxation. Today, the only things left are the abandoned lodge and its surrounding buildings offering a little look into the past. For those wanting a peek into what life was actually like back then, head over to Virginia City. Only a 45 minute drive from South Lake Tahoe, you can walk its real-life wooden boardwalks, mosey on up to a stool at a saloon and even see the mines that funded the Civil War.
Ghosts, Beer, and Ice Blocks
Mining isn’t the only reason ghost towns exist. Industries like railroads, lumber, and ice harvesting left their mark too. Just look at Boca, near Truckee. Founded in 1867 as a railroad camp, Boca boomed with ice, lumber, and beer. In fact, Boca Brewery made California’s first lager, earning global fame at the Paris World’s Fair. But disaster struck. A fire destroyed the brewery in 1893. Refrigeration killed the ice trade, the trees ran out, and another fire took the hotel in 1904. By 1945, even the post office shut down.
Today, all that’s left is a cemetery, silent proof of a town that once thrived on cold beer and colder winters. You can learn more about the town’s history and see the cemetery by setting off on the Boca Townsite Interpretive trail.
John Muir And Teddy Roosevelt’s Ramble
Have you ever wondered how John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt accessed Yosemite on their famed camping trip in 1903? It wasn’t like they just fell out of the sky and found it. On their journey to the future park, they stayed in the quiet town of Coulterville. At its peak, Coulterville was one of the most important trading centers on the southern end of the Gold Rush motherlode. Today, Coulterville remains filled with historic buildings and memories of the “’49ers” including some that have decided to permanently make residence here at the original hotel – the Jeffrey which still stands to this day.
A Night With The Spirits
Founded in 1848, “Moke Hill” as the locals called it was the epicenter of the richest placer mining in the county. More than $30 million in gold was found in a claim constituting only sixteen square feet. Such fierce competition for small plots of land of unforetold riches created one of the most violent and bawdy towns in the Mother Lode.
As the gold dried up and the town became quiet, specters began appearing especially at the Hotel Leger. One of the oldest Gold Rush Era hotels in the state, it’s most famous for its spiritual citizens. There have been sightings of the original owner George Leger walking the hallways inspecting his hotel. A woman in white in Room 2. And children heard playing in the rooms and halls.
Europe might have its ruins, but the great American West is home to Ghost Towns. They provide an opportunity for us to experience history first hand. While the streets are now quiet, their past exploits shout from every item, clapboard and brick left behind. Instead of reading about the Wild West, why not feel, touch and smell it in the ghost towns of the High Sierra. We KNOW it will leave a lasting memory deeper than any movie could.
Author: Alex Silgalis
Alex founded Local Freshies® in 2014 to be the #1 website providing the “local scoop” on where to eat, drink & play in mountain towns throughout North America. When he’s not writing and executing marketing strategies for small businesses & agencies, he’s in search of the deepest snow in the winter and tackiest dirt in the summer.
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