Photo Tips east of the Sierra – Bodie Ghost Town

„Goodbye God, I´m going to Bodie!“
Diary entry by a 19th century schoolgirl

• At 2553 m (8,376 ft) altitude

How, Where, What

Bodie, at its best in the 1880s, enjoyed a reputation as „the wildest town the West had ever seen.“ – If contemporary accounts are to be believed, that assessment is still solidified today. Of course, this town – and that’s what you have to call a place with more than 10,000 inhabitants – also drew its wealth and attraction from the gold and silver discoveries that William Body made here as early as 1859. The mines in the area produced nearly $40 million worth of gold and silver in a few decades. A first major fire devastated much of the town in 1892, but modern production methods halted the already incipient decline once again for a short time. Little Bodie Bill, playing with matches, ignited another fire in 1932, destroying all but the buildings still standing today. The resident rangers have kept these 170+ houses and the Standard Stamp Mill complex in a state of controlled decay since 1962, representing only 10% of the original town. So it is that one peers into well-groomed rooms that give the impression of having been abandoned only recently: Dishes are on the tables, beds are made, and the church organ seems ready for use.

Bodie is the largest authentic ghost town in the western U.S.

Directions

The best way to reach Bodie is from Rt-395 via Rt-270. It is paved for the first 16 km (10 mi), but the last 4,8 km (3 mi) is a dust road, which is no obstacle for an RV. In winter, the road may be closed at times after a snowstorm. The park is open year-round, and between 08:00 and 19:00 you can explore the buildings on your own. The Standard Stamp Mill complex, located on a hillside to the east, is accessible only on a guided tour (every hour on the hour between 11:00 and 15:00). The closest overnight accommodations are in Bridgeport, 29 km (18 mi) to the north, and Lee Vining, almost as far south. Camping is available anywhere outside the park on public land.

Photographic peculiarities

For photographs of the mostly grille-separated living rooms, you will need either fast film/sensitivity settings around 400 ASA or, where crowding permits, a tripod. – Natural light is sparse at times, and a single flash barely fully illuminates the sometimes large rooms.

Motifs in Bodie

The Methodist Church on Green Street is undoubtedly the first, and it is also one of the best motifs that comes before your camera on your tour. The afternoon light sets off its dark wood to its advantage. At the back of the shed diagonally across the street, you’ll find some wrecked cars and the remains of farm machinery, which lend themselves well to detailed studies. Further down at the intersection of Green and Main Streets, the old gas station with the adorable truck at the pump attracts attention. The brand of gasoline that was sold here can still be seen today. To the right, towards the entrance station, lies the museum and visitor center, which is abundantly stocked with memorabilia. The cemetery, situated slightly higher to the west, serves as an ideal location for both overview shots and perspective-condensed teleshoots. The dates and inscriptions on the gravestones vividly reflect the history of the site.

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