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

Bodey’s Grave

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 25, 2008

1. Bodey's Grave Marker

Inscription. This marker placed in memory of William S. Bodey, discoverer of the Bodie mines, who lies buried on this hillside.

“Let him repose in peace among these everlasting hills”

Erected by Snowshoe Thompson Chapter ECV October 5, 1957

Erected 1957 by E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1824.

Location. 38° 12.656′ N, 119° 1.015′ W. Marker is in Bodie, California, in Mono County. It can be reached from Cemetary Road near Bypass Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bridgeport CA 93517, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in 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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Welcome to Bodie (approx. 0.2 miles away); Life in Bodie (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Red Cloud Mine (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bodie (approx. ¼ mile away); Return to Bodie (approx. ¼ mile away); James Stuart Cain (approx. ¼ mile away); Bodie and Benton R. R. (approx. 7.9 miles away); Aurora (approx. 8.4 miles away in Nevada). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bodie.

More about this marker

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. The gravestone and accompanying marker are uphill and to the right, not far from the cemetery entrance.

Regarding Bodey’s Grave. Credited with discovering gold in the Bodie Hills, W. S. Bodey died in 1859 prior to the birth of the boom town named after him. Note that the ECV marker memorializes "William", while the gravestone has a "Waterman" buried beneath. At least one researcher has concluded that "Wakeman" may have been Bodey's true first name.

Also see . . . Bodie history and myths. Provides an interesting discussion of a number of the myths surrounding Bodie, and provides biographical information concerning W.S. Bodey. (Submitted on June 25, 2008, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.)

Bodey's Gravestone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 25, 2008

2. Bodey's Gravestone

The headstone reads: Buried here are the mortal remains of Waterman S. Bodey 1814-1859 Near here July 20, 1859 Bodey with his partner and burro struck gold, four months later returning with supplies he lost his life in a blinding snowstorm. This small sturdy indomitable man left Bodie to posterity never knowing its importance.

View of Bodie from the cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 25, 2008

3. View of Bodie from the cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2008, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 2,939 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 25, 2008, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.