Calico Ghost Town
January 28, 2012 by
Filed under Travel
California travel expert Veronica Hill of www.CaliforniaTravelExpert.com tours Calico Ghost Town in this episode of “California Travel Tips.” Many of these abandoned mining communities, which thrived during the late 1800s, are now popular tourist attractions. Located 10 miles north of Barstow, Calico Ghost Town in Yermo was named for the rainbow-colored hills that produced one of the richest silver strikes in California history. This was a wild and wooly place with 22 saloons, its own red light district and several fine restaurants. The Calico Hotel, run by Mrs. EL Hazen, promised a generous welcome, first-class meals, and reasonable rates. (The original hotel is no longer standing) By 1887, there were 1200 people living in Calico. Children of local merchants and miners attended the one-room Calico School, which sometimes doubled for church service on Sundays. Back in 1885, school teachers made about $80-$100 a month and children played games like marbles, ball and bean bag toss. Plan on a full day to explore this historic ghost town. You can relax on a rocking chair, play a game of checkers on the porch, or enjoy some good-old fashioned gold panning. Around lunchtime, grab a cool Sarsparilla and lunch plate at the Calico House Restaurant, then tour the bath house, where you’ll find antique tubs, a laundry press and old west kitchen. The Blacksmith shop is home to several antique tools and equipment. Along the East Calico Hiking Trail, you’ll find unique cabins carved …
lol at the glory hole.. seems like a real cool place
@GeorgeVreelandHill You’re welcome! Hope you have a good time!
I now have this on my must-see list.
Thank you.
George Vreeland Hill
The Ballad of Calico was a great album about this town by Kenny Rogers and the 1st Edition. Great album!!
@TonyGreens99 You won’t find anything.
memorable to me as this is the first time i’ve been to a mining place.
Can you metal detect in this ghost town or any ghost towns?
@superchickrocs1 Yes, I point out the four original buildings in the video….Thanks for sharing.
@CaliforniaTravelTips nope only four original buildings remain in the town what i told u is a employee
@superchickrocs1 Actually, many of the original buildings are right there in the town. You must be thinking of the mines?
you do know that this tourist atraction isnt the real town of calico is behind the hills bet you didnt know that
They should’ve shot the movie Cowboys and Aliens here instead of Universal Studios ~~ Nessa
@bugse1975 Fall and spring are the best times to visit.
been there last year (autumn). Bloody hot over there!
@CaliforniaTravelTips It is tons of fun, you should
@woodyratsdog Camping sounds fun. We’ll have to try that when the weather cools off this fall.
Ghost town? It looks more like a movie set.
@2indulgent i know what you mean. plus, if i went there i would be worried for the ghosts. what must it be like to have your home turned into a public viewing site? and have people living there instead of you? a majority of them must be angry, and if they’re not, then they’re probably upset. i think its kinda dangerous to go to them kind of places. if the ghosts are angry, then some could try to kill people, or freak people out to get rid of them and reclaim their land. :S
@LegoSofaStudios What are you talking about? Haven’t seen any comments about that.
I love Calico!! My cousins camp there sometimes for memorial weekend, or Thanksgiving. When they take me we have a blast! Its so much fun! One year I went with them we stayed in the camp site next to the cemetery( that was awesome!) and then the other time we stayed in the canyon(which was cool also!) Calico is the best place to camp!
Why didn’t you accept my comment about the American Indian people? D:
Hiding the truth makes it worse… /:
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE MAKE A WEBSITE FULL OF OLD ABANDONED historical houses buildings etc… where people can foward there findings all over the world to the site,,i would i just dont know where to start
@19steph83 Thank you Stephanie!
I love this video! I went for my 17th birthday years ago as I commented before. I went a few months ago. It was different than I remember but still great! I mean its been 10 years since I first went so I forgot. :p I love this video!! Awesome!!