On the way to Las Vegas, my family and I stopped by Calico Ghost Town to visit. We have heard so much about this place and we were excited to visit it. Calico was a former mining town in San Bernardino County. It lies 3 miles (4.8 km) from Barstow and 3 miles from Yermo. In 1881, the town was found during the largest silver strike in California as a silver lining town. Calico produced over $20 million in silver ore over a 12-year period with its 500 miners. In the mid-1890βs, silver lost its value causing Calico to lose its population. The miners had to pack up and moved away from the town that once gave them a good living. The town became a “ghost town.”
In 1950’s, Walter Knott purchased Calico and restored all except the five original buildings to look as they did in the 1880βs. In 1962, Calico registered as a California Historical Landmark 782 and in 2005, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed it to be Californiaβs Silver Rush Ghost Town. Today, Calico Ghost Town is part of San Bernardino regional park visited by many people from all over the world. It has shops and restaurants along with its history and attractions in addition to camping .
Things to do in Calico Ghost Town
Scenic View
At the back of the town is a short little hill you can walk up that gives you a great view of the town below. This area can also be accessed from where the mine exit is as well.
Maggie Mine
Explore the 1000 foot self-guided tour in a silver mine from the 1880’s. Learn about the process of getting silver from the ore, see a restoration of an Assay Office, and samples of stamp mills that were used during the early days in mining.
Calico Odessa Railroad
Take an historical tour on a train similar to the ones used in early mining.
Mystery Shack Tour
Be confused in this house of optical illusions where the water runs uphill and a broom stands by itself.
Gold Panning
Experience panning for gold just how the miners did it.
Ghost Tours
Every Saturday night, experience the truest accounts of Calico’s history and paranormal activity.
Tips before you go:
- Open daily 9:00 a.m. β 5:00 p.m. except Christmas Day.
- Adults: $8, Youth (4-11): $5, Under 3: Free.
- Dogs: $1/dog (excludes disabled assistance dogs.) Must be on 6′ leash at all times.
- Package tickets are available for purchase 3 attractions.
- Not all areas are ADA accessible due to the historic nature of the town.
Calico Ghost Town
36600 Ghost Town Road
Yermo, CA 92398
https://cms.sbcounty.gov/parks/parks/calicoghosttown.aspx
What was your favorite thing about Calico Ghost Town?