Along for the ride: Calico Ghost Town CA

Leaving Homol'ovi we take I-40 West passing by Flagstaff AZ, the highest point of this road trip at 7000 ft in elevation.

Passing Flagstaff with the San Francisco Peaks as backdrop

Shortly after Flagstaff, I-40 descends into the deserts.

Descending from Flagstaff

Back into the Arizona/California deserts

crossing the Mojave National Preserve

Before Barstow, we turn north towards the California ghost town of Calico. It was founded in 1881 when four prospectors discovered silver in an area they described as "calico-colored" hills. Their Silver King mine was California's largest silver producer during the mid 1880's. At it's peak the town supported a weekly newspaper, three hotels, five general stores, three restaurants, and of course the requisite number of bars and brothels.

Today Calico has been restored to the silver rush era in which it flourished and serves as a tourist attraction, which includes a large RV park. We find a good campsite protected from the desert winds in a canyon below the town and then walk up to the town itself. We are surprised to learn Calico shuts down at 5pm sharp. We had planned to eat dinner in one of the restaurants that advertise serving it, but they are closing down as we arrive. Guess you need to eat a very early dinner in this town.

Clouds heavy with rain have gathered. So we decide it's time to have dinner in the van and try the town again early in the morning.

Campsite at Calico

Calico with rain clouds

The storm that evening turns out to have more wind than rain, but it does clear the air. The next morning we get up early to beat the crowds and take advantage of the lovely morning light.

Hiking back up the hill to Calico

Entrance to Calico Ghost Town

Main Street

As it's a beautiful morning, we hike up the hill behind the town for a panoramic view.

Calico CA

The town's rough and tumble mining past is very much in evidence just about everywhere we look.

Mine tailings

Combo home & mine entrance

Pretty grimy and primitive living conditions

Living conditions in Calico must have been harsh under the hot desert sun and cold winter winds. Still the miners did what they could to make themselves comfortable.

House built out of bottles

Home dug into the rock

Disgruntled miner moved on to better digs

As the town grew, so did the services and conveniences.

Saloons

General Store

Church

Fire must have been a constant threat, as fire fighting equipment is easy to spot around town.

Buckets ready for a brigand

Fire house

Fancy fire wagon - at one time state of the art

Other professional services grew as well, including:

Dr A R Rhea's Drug Store

Local Jail

Undertaker, furniture & auction house

The silver boom only lasted a decade or less and by 1900 Calico as a town and mining center was pretty much played out.

Abandoned mines

In 1951 Walter Knott and his wife Cordelia, the founders of Knott's Berry Farm, purchased the whole town and began restoring it. In 1962 Calico was registered as a California Historical Landmark. Then later in 1966, the Knotts donated it to San Bernadino County and it became a County Regional Park as it is today.

Memorial to the Walter Knott Family

Tourist services offering food and trinkets

and amusements

Having absorbed as much history as Calico had to offer, we leave and navigate to California State Route 58 through the Mojave Desert, over the Tehachapi Mountains and into the San Joaquin Valley.