We've all seen the classic western movies depicting life in the west, and the glorious days of the American cowboy. The “wild west” has always seemed like the place to be in a perfect world, and Jesse James was made into a hero by American folk lore. Of course, any trip to a restored ghost town with a minimal museum, and a good look at the dental tools used back then could probably change your mind about the glory of the old west. Those were hard times. The people who lived then did not enjoy everyday luxuries, and the tools used (it's hard to call them “instruments”) by dentists paint a picture of the wild west that's anything but fun.

 

To get a sense of what life in Bodie must have been like, it might be beneficial to remember why it was there. First, and foremost, Bodie was a Gold mining town. At its peak, there were more than thirty mines in operation. There were all kinds of people who worked the mines, but most folks didn't come with lifetime careers in mind. They probably had visions of working a bit in the gold mines, then striking it rich and returning home.

"Goodbye God, I'm going to Bodie"

Of course, wages in the existing mines must have been at  least adequate. For the 10,000 or so residents in Bodie, there were sixty-five saloons along with brothels, pot houses and opium dens. There were even three local breweries to augment the “imported” liquor with local beer. There was often as many as one murder per day, and many more assaults, robberies, and just about everything else that could be expected from a city out of control. One famous quote that came from the diary of an unnamed little girl when she found out that her family was moving from San Francisco to Bodie said, “Goodbye God, I'm going to Bodie.” Other interpretations of her diary have the quote as saying, “Good, by God, I'm going to Bodie.” Take your choice. It says a lot coming from a little girl in the 19^th century.
 

Bodie was named after Waterman S. Body, or William S. Body, depending on which historical account you read. The original spelling of Bodie has been jokingly attributed to an illiterate sign maker, but it's said that the town's citizens deliberately changed the spelling to avoid mispronunciations of the name. Mr. Body discovered gold at the site of Bodie in 1859, when he came across the Sierras looking for the precious metal. Gold was discovered that year in Virginia City, and it evidently sparked a gold rush to the eastern slopes.
 

How To Get There – Bodie is located on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, near the town of Bridgeport. To get there from Bridgeport, take Highway 395 south for about 6 ½ miles, then turn left on Bodie Road (CA-270). Bodie is about 13 miles in, with about 3 miles of dirt before arriving at the town.
 

From Yosemite National Park, take Highway 120 over Tioga Pass. At Lee Vining, turn north on Highway 395 and proceed 19 miles to Bodie Road (CA-270), and then east for 13 miles to the town of Bodie. Remember, the last 3 miles of this road is dirt.
 

Bodie Road is considered to be seasonal, and snow removal is not done in the winter months. While the town is open, it's only accessible via “over-the-snow” equipment. Normally, Bodie is accessible with ordinary vehicles through most of the summer. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend hours: 8:00am to 7:00pm Remainder of the year 9:00am to 4:00pm or as posted. Hours may vary due to weather or season and are posted at all entrances.