Bodie in Mono County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Bodie

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 25, 2008

1. Bodie State Historical Marker

Inscription. Gold was discovered here in 1859 by W.S. Bodey after whom the town was named. Once the most thriving metropolis of the Mono Country, Bodie’s mines produced gold valued at more than 100 million dollars. Tough as nails, the “Bad Man from Bodie” still carries his guns and his Bowie knife down through the pages of Western history.

Erected 1964 by California State Park Commission, the Mono County Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Mono County Historical Society. (Marker Number 341.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 38° 12.818′ N, 119° 0.885′ W. Marker is in Bodie, California, in Mono County. Marker is on Bypass Road, ¼ mile California Route 270, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bridgeport CA 93517, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Return to Bodie (here, next to this marker); The Red Cloud Mine (a few steps from this marker); Life in Bodie (a few steps from this marker);

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Welcome to Bodie (within shouting distance of this marker); James Stuart Cain (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bodey’s Grave (approx. ¼ mile away); Bodie and Benton R. R. (approx. 8 miles away); Aurora (approx. 8.2 miles away in Nevada). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bodie.

More about this marker. Monument is located directly next to the visitor's parking lot.

Also see . . .
1. California State Parks - Bodie State Historical Park. (Submitted on June 20, 2008, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.)
2. Bodie... A town frozen in time. The Friends of Bodie website. (Submitted on June 22, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Bodie Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 25, 2008

2. Bodie Monument

Return to Bodie Marker, below state historical marker on monument image. Click for more information.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 25, 2008

3. Return to Bodie Marker, below state historical marker on monument

Click for more information.

Bodie National Historic Landmark Marker, circa 1963 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 25, 2008

4. Bodie National Historic Landmark Marker, circa 1963

Bodie Monument, wide shot showing monument and former mining equipment image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 25, 2008

5. Bodie Monument, wide shot showing monument and former mining equipment

Town of Bodie from a distance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 25, 2008

6. Town of Bodie from a distance

Bodie Methodist Church, constructed in 1882 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 25, 2008

7. Bodie Methodist Church, constructed in 1882

Standard Mill Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 25, 2008

8. Standard Mill Building

Dechambeau Hotel and Post Office, IOOF Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 25, 2008

9. Dechambeau Hotel and Post Office, IOOF Hall

The Dechambeau Hotel and Post Office was constructed in 1879, erected postmaster George Putnam. Later it was Grandma Johnson's rooming house, and then subsequently the Dechambeau Hotel. The Oddfellows Lodge, No. 279, was constructed in 1880. In addition to its use as an IOOF lodge, the building also served as a morgue.

The Wheaton and Hollis Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 25, 2008

10. The Wheaton and Hollis Hotel

Constructed 1886, this structure was originally the US Land Office, then served as the power company office, and finally as a boarding house.

Old mining equipment image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 25, 2008

11. Old mining equipment

Bodie State Historical Park - Entrance Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 25, 2008

12. Bodie State Historical Park - Entrance Sign

Vintage Postcard of the Standard Mill image. Click for full size.

Merle Porter. Distributed by Royal Pictures, Colton,Ca.

13. Vintage Postcard of the Standard Mill

Description on postcard: The original wooden mill burned in the late 1890's. When the owners cleaned up the dirt and ashes they recovered enough gold to build the new 20 stamp mill. Theodore ("Ted") Hoover, brother of Herbert, lived in the house to the right of the mill and he was Superintendent of the plant. Ore from the Standard mine, discovered in 1887, was processed here until recent years when operation became sporadic. Today the mines are idle. Bodie is part of the California Park System...M.P.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2008, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,633 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on June 20, 2008, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 13. submitted on September 11, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.