Bodfish in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Silver City Ghost Town

Photographed by Denise Boose

1. Silver City Ghost Town Marker

Inscription. In 1855 gold was discovered in the Kern Valley. Miners flocked here from throughout the world to get in on what was believed to be California's second great gold rush. Towns sprung up in the area but many were abandoned within a few years when the gold ran out. In the 1970's the Dave Mills family saved historical structures from the deteriorating mining camps and moved them to this site (behind the structures you see here). Around 1973 the Mills closed the ghost town. The J. Paul Corlew family purchased the property in 1988 and began the long task of restoration and preservation work that would dominate their lives for decades. The Corlew's reopened Silver City in 1992. On site are over twenty buildings from mining camps with names like Keyesville, Wiskey Flats, Claraville, and Miracle. Preserve here in a state of "arrested decay". It is now operated as a nationally know museum and film location.

Erected 2009 by E Clampus Vitus Peter LeBeck Chapter 1866, Kern River Valley Historical Society, Kernville Chamber of Commerce, and Southfork Womens Club.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this

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topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 35° 35.859′ N, 118° 29.482′ W. Marker is in Bodfish, California, in Kern County. It can be reached from Lake Isabella Boulevard (County Route 155) south of Kilbreth Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3829 Lake Isabella Boulevard, Bodfish CA 93205, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Havilah (approx. 0.6 miles away); USS Arizona (approx. 0.8 miles away); Keyesville (approx. 2.3

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 10, 2009

2. Silver City Ghost Town Marker

miles away); Campsite of Edward Kern (approx. 4 miles away); Old Isabella (approx. 4 miles away); a different marker also named Havilah (approx. 5.7 miles away); Historic Havilah (approx. 5.7 miles away); Stage Robbery! (approx. 5.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bodfish.

Also see . . . Official web site for Silver City Ghost town. For general information on Silver City go to the website listed. For weekly updates and the LATEST NEWS go to http://www.facebook.com/silvercityghosttown (Submitted on April 6, 2012, by J Paul Corlew of Silver City Ghost Town (Bodfish), California.)

Silver City Ghost Town image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 10, 2009

3. Silver City Ghost Town

Hot Springs Hotel and Stage Coach Stop - 1880 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 10, 2009

4. Hot Springs Hotel and Stage Coach Stop - 1880

These buildings were relocated here in 1971 to save them.

Dedication Plaque - Below the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 10, 2009

5. Dedication Plaque - Below the Marker

Dedicated to the loving memory of Dave Mills, Cynthia Corlew and Don Diggles. With special thanks to Arvilla Mills, Hal Brown, Shawn Corlew, Emily Diggles, Diana Forbes and so many others who have offered sweat, tears, love and support over the years. Without them this project would not exit.

Claraville Tent Building 1880 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 10, 2009

6. Claraville Tent Building 1880

Claraville 1880 General Store image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, May 1, 2009

7. Claraville 1880 General Store

A peak inside the General Store at Silver City.

Silver City Ghost Town Square image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, May 1, 2009

8. Silver City Ghost Town Square

The town square of the Silver City Ghost town with many of the surrounding buildings.

Silver City Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, May 1, 2009

9. Silver City Jail

The jail is open for visitors to take photos, such as this Desperado shown here.

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 10, 2009

10. Silver City Ghost Town

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 10, 2009

11. Silver City Ghost Town

Photographed by Denise Boose, May 10, 2009

12. Silver City Ghost Town

Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 2,025 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 21, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 7, 8, 9. submitted on February 24, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 10, 11, 12. submitted on May 22, 2015, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.