Last night, I was watching a travel show about Calico Ghost Town which I visited years and years ago. I thought I would write a quick blog about the place although it looks like a lot of things have changed since I was there. Plus, they now have events like Calico California Days for tourists and other things to do.
The television travel show was about a group of ghost hunters getting together to see what they could find on a dark night.
They interviewed a few of people who work there and their comments. The group also went about filming some of the places after dark. They mention an unfortunate accident in which a young girl died after falling off a ledge. Not sure if this is true or an “urban legend”.
Also, the program showed a tarantula crossing their path but not much else in the way of wildlife.
About Calico, California
Calico is located in the Calico Mountains in the Mojave Desert. It is off route 15 and near the Barstow Marine Logistic Base. Also, it is about 149 miles from Las Vegas.
History of Calico Ghost Town Regional Park
My research shows, Calico is actually an old West silver mining town that has been around since 1881. It was abandoned in the mid-1890’s after silver lost its value. Calico received the State Historical Landmark number 782.
Let’s see, the town had a post office, Calico Print-a weekly newspaper, three hotels, five general stores, meat market, bars, brothels, three restaurants, a school and boarding houses.
Walter Knott purchased Calico in the 1950’s. He then restored all but five of the original buildings to look like they did in the 1880’s. I guess he used old photographs to do this.
Calico is now part of the San Berardino Country Regional Parks system.
However, it is noted the original mines in the Calico area are extremely hazardous and should not be entered. The show I was watching showed the entrance to one of the many mines.
Visiting Calico
On the mountains above Calico, giant letters spell out the name in white stones which you can see from the town.
The town is extremely dry and desert like.
I vaguely remember visiting the town’s graveyard and perhaps one of the tourist shops. I still have a small necklace with a shiny stone which I think came from their gift shop.
Other than that, I was rather young at the time and really don’t remember too much.
Ending Notes on Calico
I enjoyed visiting this location years ago and that television show made me remember a good family time.
As for the Ghost Town of Calico having things that go bump in the night, you’ll have to come to your own conclusions on that one.
Please note that the photograph for today’s blog came from a previous blog and in no way reflects the ghost town of Calico.
Resource sites: Tripadvisor, Wikipedia, and Cityseeker.com