If you’re a fan of stories of the Wild West, you won’t be able to resist the temptation to visit at least one of America’s ghost towns. These towns in the Old West still retain their old, dusty western charm. In California, there are multiple ghost towns (we have already talked about Bodie, one of the best-preserved towns), and today we talk about Calico, also known as Calico Ghost Town, a mining town near Barstow.
Calico is a perfect intermediate stop for those traveling from Los Angeles to La Vegas. The town was founded in March 1881 and grew rapidly thanks to deposits of silver, borax, and gold. At one point, there were 1200 inhabitants, 500 mines, and 22 saloons, but its decline was just as fast. Calico became a ghost town in 1907, when borax deposits were discovered in nearby Death Valley.
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Things to Do in Calico and Attractions
Unlike Bodie, the current appearance of Calico Ghost Town is not quite authentic, since the town has undergone renovations. The original buildings have been replaced with typical architecture and facades that tourists expect to find in a town in the Old West. However, some original and Gold Rush-era structures are still standing. For example, Lil and Joe’s Saloons, the town office, Lucy Lane’s house (which originally housed the post office and courthouse and is now an interesting museum), Smitty’s Gallery and Store.
In Calico, you will also find a replica of the old school that has been rebuilt on the original site, as well as what is left of the homes of Chinese immigrants. During the week classes are reenacted in the school, while on Sundays you can enjoy the sermon of the preacher. Finally, don’t miss the train ride, which will take you to see the old mines up close.
Entertainment in Calico Ghost Town
While this tourist destination has lost some of its historic value, the same cannot be said about entertainment. In Calico, there are several souvenir shops, shows, actors dressed as cowboys, historical reenactments, and various events. These include a film festival, Civil War reenactments, and a bluegrass music festival. To find out more, check out the events on the official website.
Calico: Tickets, Hours, Location
- Hours: Open every day
- Reservations: Not required
- Entrance fee: $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-15, free for children 5 and under
- Length of the visit: An hour or two may be sufficient
- Best time to visit Calico: You can go any time of year, although in the summer it gets hot. During the week some attractions may be closed.
- Location: Calico Ghost Town, Yermo, CA, just east of Barstow. Exit I-15 on Ghost Town Road.
Want to learn more about Calico? Here’s a great video below: