Bates Blog

The Bodie Times to speak for silent ghost town

Church in Bodie, California

Bridgeport, CA - The largest and best preserved ghost town of the Old West is talking, again, through the pages of its new, semi-annual newsletter: The Bodie Times. Stories in the inaugural edition (Winter 2008) include details on a new approach to locating lost burials by the use of forensic detection dogs, what’s next for Bodie’s cemetery, a Bodie decedent’s family story and the introduction of technology to Bodie.

"This town may be inhabited only by ghosts but those ghosts still have many stories to tell," says Kent Adams, Friends of Bodie President. "Whether it's a bone, a piece of iron or some markings on a stone--all of these things can now tell their stories through the pages of The Bodie Times." Adams says the newsletter will not only provide a forum for sharing information about the ghost town today, but create a record for future research.

The Bodie Foundation announces the availability of its beautiful 2009 calendar. The calendars will be sold to the general public at www.TheBodieStore.com to raise funds for projects in development by Bodie Foundation that support Bodie State Historic Park. Donated images of Bodie were submitted by photographers from around the world this past fall and selected by the Bodie Foundation board of directors. In addition to the 2009 calendar, the Bodie Foundation has added a new and expanded catalogue of available items in its online store www.TheBodieStore.com. Whether it be a great holiday gift, or a chance to build one’s collection of Bodie books, The Bodie Store is an excellent way to support the many projects of the Foundation.

The town of Bodie, California, remains in a state of 'arrested decay'. A thriving mining town from 1860-1900, its population peaked at nearly 10,000 in the fever of the California gold rush. 200 buildings still exist on the site which is recognized as a National Historic Site and a California State Historic Park. The Bodie Foundation, evolved from a dedicated group of 'modern-day Bodieites', was formally established late last summer with the launching of www.BodieFoundation.org. Consisting of an all-volunteer team, the Foundation is encouraged with the number of Charter Members who have joined, as well as the many notes of encouragement sent from around the country and around the world.

Download The Bodie Times (pdf version)