Story has it that this mine was named the “Maggie” by John Mulcahy, who was supposedly inspired by the words to a song that was popular during the silver strike. Located right in town, this self-guided underground tour is a safe and fun way to learn about hard rock silver mining. Luckily, the Maggie Mine is the exception. Stay out! Everywhere you look in and around Calico, you’ll see signs warning visitors of the dangers of entering these abandoned mines. By lantern light, Tom and Kia contended with the hazards of rotting timbers, nearly undetectable deep drop-offs, unstable ground, and getting lost! Just as Tom strongly advised his viewers- NEVER be this adventurous on your own. You might also remember they explored one of abandoned silver mines up in the mountains.
You might remember episode 169 of Gold Fever from 2011 that showcased Tom Massie and his daughter Kia having fun in the ghost town of Calico.
Today, Calico is part living-history museum and part tourist attraction with activities kids will enjoy. Knott donated Calico to San Bernardino County in 1966, and it was designated a California Historical Landmark. Wooden structures have since been added or replicated, all with a rustic weathered look that creates a picturesque little town. Referencing old photographs, Knott restored many of the original adobe buildings on their original sites to look as they did in the 1880s. Walter Knott, famous for inventing the Boysenberry and creating Knott's Berry Farm theme park, purchased Calico from the Zenda Mining Company in 1951. An attempt to revive the town was made around 1915 when a cyanide plant was built to recover silver from the unprocessed Silver King Mine's deposits, but Calico largely remained a ghost town. But by around 1896, down on their luck miners and store merchants began loading their mules and moving on. As was typical, the town had a wide variety of businesses and shops, hotels, a jail, 22 saloons, a Chinatown, and a redlight district. All the silver from Calico was sent to San Francisco to make coins.įounded in 1881, the population of Calico peaked to 3,500 hardy souls in 1886. The Calico Mining District was the richest in the state and produced about $86 million in silver and $45 million in borax (used in soap-making) between 18. The Bismark, Oriental, Odessa, Waterloo, Garfield, and the famous Silver King Mine that started the silver strike, generated the most wealth. In its heyday, more than 500 mines were dug in and around Calico and about 30 miles of tunnels honeycombed the hills. The town takes its name from the surrounding Calico Mountains, named for their multi-colored rocks and minerals. Gunfighters are known to appear from time to time, and camping is available if you want to stay a while. Thousands visit this regional park every year to wander the western-themed streets, tour the underground Maggie Mine, ride the narrow-gauge Calico & Odessa Railroad, pan for gold, shop, and attend special events. Calico is officially a ghost town now, but it is anything but deserted.
#CALICO GHOST TOWN FULL#
In 2005, the town received a proclamation by the governor recognized as California’s Silver Rush Ghost Town.ĭaily admission: Adult $10, Youth 4-11yrs $5, and children under 3 Free.Ĭalico Ghost Town is located at 36600 Ghost Town Road in Yermo, CA 92398 just 15 miles northeast of Barstow, California.Like many mining boomtowns gone bust, Calico, California was full of life in the 1880s, but within about 15 years it met its demise when the price of silver sunk to 63 cents per ounce from $1.31. Calico received State Historical Landmark 782. Walter Knott purchased Calico in the 1950’s architecturally restoring all but the five original buildings to look as they did in the 1880’s.
At the height of its wealth, Calico produced about $87 million in silver and $45 million in borax in more than 500 mines, including the Silver King, Waterloo, Bismark and Maggie Mines. This new event will coincide with National California Day that recognizes the Golden State every year on February 22.Ĭalico Ghost Town is an Old West silver mining town that was established in 1881 but abandoned in the mid-1890s after silver lost its value. California became the 31st state to enter the Union on September 9, 1850. Visit Calico Ghost Town Saturday and Sunday, February 18 & 19, 2023 from 9am-5pm as they host Calico California Days event celebrating the historical timeline of the early settlements with educational displays about California’s history, games and contests for the entire family, live entertainment, crafts for kids, and much more.
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