Tucked away three miles north of Interstate-15, midway between Barstow and Yermo, lies Calico, California, a captivating and meticulously restored ghost town that once thrived on silver. This historic site, nestled in the vibrant Calico Mountains, offers visitors a unique glimpse into the rich, rugged past of California’s mining frontier, showcasing both its boom and its enduring legacy.
The Silver Boom and Early Days of Calico
The story of Calico, California, began modestly in 1875 when intrepid prospectors first stumbled upon silver deposits on the southern slopes of the Calico Mountains. While initial discoveries were promising, it was the substantial ore finds five years later, valued at an impressive $400 to $500 per ton, that ignited a significant silver rush. This influx of fortune-seekers led to the rapid filing of claims and the genesis of a burgeoning settlement.
By the spring of 1881, the monumental Silver King mine was unearthed, destined to become Calico’s most prolific producer. Less than a year later, the nascent town had established a commercial street, lined with tents and adobe structures, perched precariously on a narrow mesa between Wall Street Canyon and Odessa Canyon. The town proudly adopted its name from the striking, multi-colored rock formations of the surrounding mountains, which served as a dramatic backdrop for this vibrant community.
Evidence of Calico’s growing prosperity included the launch of its weekly newspaper, the Calico Print, in October 1882, swiftly followed by the construction of a local stamp mill to process the rich silver ores. However, the town experienced a temporary setback in the spring of 1883 when the discovery of borax three miles east at Borate drew away many miners. A devastating fire later that year further challenged the resilient community, yet Calico remarkably rebounded in 1884 with new silver strikes.
During its peak, Calico’s population swelled to approximately 2,500 residents. The town hummed with activity, boasting two dozen saloons and gambling houses that operated non-stop, alongside more respectable establishments such as a church, a public school, a dance school, and a literary society, complemented by numerous retail businesses. Post-1884, many smaller mines consolidated, and in late 1888, the Oro Grande Mining Company invested $250,000 to construct a larger stamp mill on the north bank of the Mojave River. Soon after, the ten-mile narrow-gauge Calico Railroad connected the vital Silver King mine to the stamp mill near Daggett, solidifying the Calico Mining District’s status as one of California’s richest.
Decline, Abandonment, and Revival
Despite its prosperous era, which saw the district yield an astounding $86 million in silver and $45 million in borax, Calico’s fortunes drastically shifted. The decisive blow came in the mid-1890s when the price of silver plummeted from $1.31 an ounce to just 63 cents. This economic downturn swiftly transformed Calico into a desolate shell of its former self. The narrow-gauge Calico railroad was dismantled shortly after the turn of the century, and by 1907, with the cessation of borax mining, the town was officially declared dead, succumbing to the harsh elements of the Mojave Desert.
A brief resurgence occurred around 1917 with the construction of a cyanide plant designed to extract remaining values from the Silver King Mine dumps. However, this revival was short-lived, and by 1935, Calico was once again entirely abandoned, left to the relentless forces of nature.
The town’s destiny took a dramatic turn in 1950 when Walter Knott, owner of Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, purchased the townsite. Knott held a deep personal connection to Calico, having spent his boyhood there with his uncle and even contributing to the construction of a silver mill during World War I. His sentimental attachment undoubtedly spurred his decision to restore the town to its former glory. Through meticulous effort, Knott initiated an ambitious restoration project. While much of the townsite was rebuilt, one-third of the structures are original, and the new additions were carefully reconstructed to authentically capture the spirit of Calico’s Old West past. Attractions like the one-mile short-line “Calico & Odessa” railroad, looping through canyons and past old mines, were recreated.
In November 1966, Knott generously donated Calico to San Bernardino County, ensuring its preservation for future generations. Today, Calico operates as one of the treasured San Bernardino County Regional Parks, a testament to its enduring historical significance.
Visiting Modern Calico: An Old West Experience
Though Walter Knott’s vision transformed Calico from a crumbling ghost town into a vibrant historical park, it continues to offer visitors an authentic taste of life during its bustling mining days. The town’s false-front stores and classic saloons, set against the dramatic backdrop of craggy mountains and overlooking a vast desert valley, provide an unparalleled glimpse into Calico’s rich and storied past.
Today, guests can embark on engaging walking tours led by Calico historians, delving into the lives of the miners who once toiled there. The narrow-gauge railroad still operates within the town limits, offering scenic rides, while the hard rock silver mine provides a thrilling opportunity for underground exploration. Iconic buildings like the schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, and various saloons are open for visitors to explore, alongside live gold panning demonstrations that bring the past to life. The Calico Townsite is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to dusk, featuring a variety of shops, restaurants, and other engaging attractions. For those wishing to extend their stay, a full-service campground, cozy camping cabins, and a bunkhouse are available in the canyons below the town, making it one of California’s best tourist values.
The Haunting Legends of Calico
Beyond its rich history and meticulous restoration, Calico holds another intriguing draw: it is allegedly a hotbed of paranormal activity, home to several lingering spirits.
Lucy Bell King Lane: Calico’s Enduring Resident
One of the most frequently sighted spirits is that of Lucy Bell King Lane, a woman who dedicated nearly seventy years of her life to Calico. Moving to nearby Bismarck with her family at just ten years old, Lucy’s daily journey to school involved sliding down a steep slope and enduring a long, arduous hike back up. At 18, she married John Robert Lane, and together they established a general store, supplying the mining population with essential provisions, cloth, nails, and hardware. They prospered until the silver market declined, prompting their departure in 1899. However, the couple returned in 1916, making their old store their home. Four years later, they moved into the former courthouse and post office. Lucy continued to reside in the same house after John’s death in 1934, living a long life and passing away in 1967 at the age of 93.
Today, the Lanes’ former home functions as a museum, preserving their life story and showcasing a collection of mining artifacts, historical photographs, and Native American displays. Despite her passing decades ago, Lucy is believed to be quite fond of her old hometown, as she is frequently spotted walking between her old store and the house where she spent her final years. Witnesses often describe her wearing a long black dress, perhaps the very lace dress she was buried in. Her favorite rocking chair is said to rock on its own, and pictures sometimes fall from the walls at night, only to be found neatly stacked on the floor the next morning. At Lane’s old store, clerks often report unexplainable noises and fleeting movements, which they attribute to Lucy’s continued presence. The Lane house stands as the longest-occupied original structure in Calico.
Spirits of the Calico Schoolhouse
Lucy Lane is not the only phantom to roam Calico. At the schoolhouse atop the hill, numerous visitors have reported seeing a cheerful little girl, around 11 or 12 years old, often smiling through a window. Occasionally, she even leans out and waves to passers-by. Other reported sightings include phantom school teachers and another small child, known for playfully grabbing visitors’ legs or pinching their ankles. Some guests have also described a mysterious floating red light within the schoolhouse.
Perhaps the most extraordinary tale involves two British tourists who claimed to have had an extended conversation with a staff member dressed in period costume, who introduced herself as the “last teacher” in Calico. They even had pictures taken with her. The last real schoolmistress in Calico was Margaret Olivier, who passed away in 1932 and is buried in the Calico Cemetery. Upon developing their photographs back home, the couple was astonished to find that the “staff member” did not appear in any of the pictures, and they later confirmed no staff were working at the schoolhouse during their visit.
Mysteries of Maggie Mine
While dozens of mines once dotted the hills surrounding Calico, the Maggie Mine, which produced an estimated $13 million in silver ore, now offers visitors an opportunity for exploration. It should come as no surprise that its 1,000-foot tunnels, open to the public, are also believed to harbor spirits. Numerous visitors have reported encountering extreme cold spots and the sensation of their hair standing on end in various sections of the mine, particularly in the area once inhabited by two miners known as the Mulcahey Brothers. Although parts of the mine are blocked by grates, macabre mannequins further enhance the eerie atmosphere.
Haunted Boardwalks and Saloons
Near the Maggie Mine stands Hank’s Hotel, once owned by an angry old cowboy whose spirit reputedly once punched a man in the leg for standing on his fence. More commonly, visitors report feeling something tugging at their wrists, hands, and clothing along the boardwalk in front of the hotel. These playful antics are often attributed not to the cowboy, but to a 4-5-year-old child ghost frequently seen roaming the boardwalk and surrounding areas. The boardwalks of Main Street are also said to be haunted by Calico’s last marshal, Tumbleweed Harris, described by visitors as a big man with a white beard, fitting the description of the man who maintained peace for seven years.
At the Calico Corral, the sounds of crowds and celebrations are often heard emanating from the barn that once hosted lively Saturday night dances. Inside Lil’s Saloon, one of Calico’s original buildings, the distant strains of an old-style piano and rowdy crowds can be heard when no one is present. Employees frequently report the jingle of spurs and other inexplicable noises. Another spectral lady, adorned in a long white dress, is often seen walking near the outskirts of the ghost town. The building that once served as the town theater, now the R&D Fossils & Minerals Shop, is allegedly home to another female ghost named Esmeralda.
Dorsey, the Mail-Carrying Dog
Finally, Calico boasted another famous resident: Dorsey, the
