Calico, California – Revived From A Desert Grave

Nestled three miles north of Interstate-15, strategically positioned between Barstow and Yermo, California, lies a testament to the enduring spirit of the American West: Calico, California. This isn’t just another roadside attraction; it’s a meticulously restored ghost town, brought back from the brink of oblivion to offer visitors a glimpse into a vibrant, albeit bygone, era. More than just a collection of old buildings, Calico is a living museum, a place where history whispers from the weathered walls and the echoes of laughter and labor still linger in the desert air.

The story of Calico, California begins in 1875, a period of feverish prospecting across the American West. Roving adventurers, driven by the allure of riches, first stumbled upon silver deposits clinging to the southern slopes of the Calico Mountains. While this initial discovery sparked interest, it wasn’t until approximately five years later that significant ore finds, boasting a value of $400 to $500 per ton, ignited a miniature rush. Claims were staked, and the promise of wealth drew hopefuls to this remote corner of the Mojave Desert.

The spring of 1881 marked a turning point in Calico’s fortunes with the discovery of the Silver King mine, a veritable treasure trove that would become the town’s most lucrative asset. Within a year, a burgeoning settlement had taken root. Businesses sprang up along a commercial street, initially housed in tents and rudimentary adobe structures. This nascent thoroughfare occupied a narrow mesa, strategically situated between Wall Street Canyon and Odessa Canyon. The town’s name, Calico, California, was derived from the kaleidoscopic array of colors splashed across the surrounding mountains, a vibrant backdrop that mirrored the diverse fortunes and personalities drawn to the silver boom.

October 1882 saw the establishment of the Calico Print, a weekly newspaper that chronicled the town’s triumphs and tribulations, its hopes and its hardships. Shortly thereafter, a local stamp mill was erected, enabling the processing of the extracted ores on-site. However, the fickle nature of fortune soon dealt Calico a blow. In the spring of 1883, many of the town’s miners were lured away by the discovery of borax deposits just three miles east, at Borate. Later that same year, a devastating fire swept through much of the camp, threatening to extinguish its flickering flame.

Yet, Calico, California possessed a resilience that belied its fragile beginnings. In 1884, new silver discoveries breathed fresh life into the town, triggering another boom. The population swelled to approximately 2,500 residents, supporting a diverse array of establishments. Two dozen saloons and gambling dens, operating around the clock, catered to the miners’ thirst for entertainment and risk. Alongside these establishments, more respectable institutions emerged, including a church, a public school, a dance school, and a literary society, reflecting the growing sense of community and permanence. Dozens of retail businesses also thrived, providing the goods and services necessary to sustain the burgeoning population.

As the 1880s progressed, many of the individual mines began to consolidate, forming larger and more efficient operations. In late 1888, the Oro Grande Mining Company invested a substantial sum of $250,000 to construct an even larger stamp mill on the north bank of the Mojave River. This ambitious project soon led to the creation of the ten-mile narrow-gauge Calico Railroad, connecting the stamp mill, located near Daggett, to the Silver King mine, facilitating the transportation of ore and further solidifying Calico’s position as a major mining center.

By the late 1800s, Calico was a hive of activity, teeming with prospectors, miners, entrepreneurs, and families, all seeking their slice of the American dream. The Calico Mining District had become renowned as one of the richest in the state, contributing significantly to California’s burgeoning economy.

During its zenith, the district would produce an astounding $86 million in silver and $45 million in borax, figures that underscored the immense wealth extracted from the surrounding mountains. However, the boom was not destined to last. In the mid-1890s, the price of silver plummeted from $1.31 an ounce to a mere 63 cents, a devastating blow that crippled the mining industry and plunged Calico into a period of decline. The narrow-gauge Calico Railroad was dismantled shortly after the turn of the century, and the town officially succumbed to ghost town status in 1907, with the cessation of borax mining in the district.

Around 1917, a cyanide plant was constructed in Calico, aiming to recover residual values from the Silver King Mine dumps. This endeavor provided a brief reprieve, reviving the town for a short period. However, by 1935, Calico was once again entirely abandoned, left to the mercy of the elements in the harsh Mojave Desert. The buildings crumbled, the streets filled with sand, and the once-vibrant town faded into a forgotten relic of a bygone era.

But the story of Calico, California doesn’t end there.

Revival and Restoration

In 1950, Walter Knott, the visionary behind Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, purchased the townsite and embarked on an ambitious restoration project. Knott had a personal connection to Calico, having spent considerable time there as a boy, as his uncle resided in the town. He even contributed to the construction of a silver mill in Calico during World War I. Knott’s early experiences in Calico undoubtedly influenced his decision to acquire and restore the town, preserving a vital piece of California’s history.

One of the rebuilt attractions is the one-mile short line "Calico & Odessa" railroad which loops through steep canyons and hills past old mines and buildings north of Calico. Though the original townsite has been mostly rebuilt by new and restored buildings, one-third of the town is original, and the remaining newer buildings were carefully reconstructed to recreate the spirit of Calico’s Old West past.

In November 1966, Knott generously donated Calico to San Bernardino County, transforming it into one of the many San Bernardino County Regional Parks. This act ensured the long-term preservation and accessibility of Calico for future generations.

Thanks to Walter Knott’s dedication and vision, Calico is no longer a crumbling ghost town. Instead, it offers visitors an authentic glimpse into what life might have been like during the heady days of the silver boom. The false-front stores and saloons, set against the backdrop of the rugged mountains and overlooking the vast desert valley, provide an immersive experience that transports visitors back in time.

Today, guided walking tours are available, led by knowledgeable Calico historians who delve into the lives of the miners and residents who once called this town home. The narrow-gauge railroad operates within the town limits, offering a scenic ride through the surrounding landscape. The hard rock silver mine provides an opportunity for underground exploration, while historic buildings such as the schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, and saloons can be explored at leisure. Visitors can even try their hand at live gold panning, experiencing a taste of the prospector’s life.

The Calico Townsite is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to dusk, offering a variety of shops, restaurants, and other attractions. In the canyons below the town, a full-service campground, camping cabins, and a bunkhouse provide opportunities for extended stays, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the Calico experience.

With its reasonable admission price and affordable prices at its restaurants, shops, and attractions, Calico offers exceptional value for tourists, making it one of California’s best-kept secrets.

And if Calico’s rich history, meticulous restoration, and staged gunfights aren’t enough to captivate you, there’s one more element that adds to its allure: the possibility of encountering a ghost.

Ghosts of Calico

According to local lore, Calico, California is haunted by several lingering spirits, remnants of its colorful past.

One of the most frequently sighted spirits is that of Lucy Bell King Lane, a woman who spent nearly seventy years of her life in Calico.

Lucy moved with her family to nearby Bismarck when she was just ten years old. At 18, she married John Robert Lane, and together they opened a general store that catered to the needs of the mining community.

Though they prospered for a time, the decline of the silver market forced them to leave Calico in 1899. However, the couple returned in 1916, making their old store their home. Four years later, they moved into the old courthouse and post office building. John died in 1934, but Lucy continued to live in the same house until her death in 1967 at the age of 93.

Today, their former home has been transformed into a museum, showcasing the life of the Lanes, as well as a collection of mining artifacts, photographs, and Native American artifacts from the pre-silver era.

Even though Lucy passed away decades ago, she apparently remains attached to her old hometown. She is often seen walking between her old store and the home where she lived until her death. She is typically described as wearing a long black dress, believed to be the lace dress in which she was buried. Her favorite rocking chair is said to rock on its own, and pictures are often found neatly piled on the floor the morning after falling from the wall during the night. Employees at Lane’s old store have reported hearing unexplained noises and catching glimpses of movement, attributing these occurrences to Lucy’s presence. The Lane house holds the distinction of being the longest-occupied original structure in Calico.

But Lucy Lane isn’t the only phantom said to roam Calico. At the schoolhouse on the hill, some visitors have reported seeing a young girl, around 11 or 12 years old, smiling through the window or even waving at passersby.

Others claim to have seen phantom school teachers and another small child who is known to grab people’s legs or pinch their ankles. Some visitors have also reported seeing a floating red light inside the school.

One particularly intriguing story involves two British tourists who claimed to have had a lengthy conversation with a staff member dressed in period attire, who identified herself as the "last teacher" in Calico. They even took pictures with her before leaving. However, when they developed their photographs, the "staff member" was nowhere to be seen. Later, they discovered that there had been no staff members working at the schoolhouse during their visit. The last schoolmistress in Calico was Margaret Olivier, who passed away in 1932 and is buried in the Calico Cemetery.

The Maggie Mine, once a prolific producer of silver ore, now allows visitors to explore its tunnels. Given the mine’s history and its dark, subterranean environment, it’s not surprising that many believe it to be haunted.

Visitors have reported experiencing extreme cold spots and feelings of unease, particularly in areas where two miners known as the Mulcahey Brothers once lived. Macabre mannequins placed throughout the mine further enhance its eerie atmosphere.

Near the Maggie Mine stands Hank’s Hotel, once owned by a notoriously grumpy cowboy. His spirit is said to have once punched a man in the leg for standing on his fence. More commonly, visitors have reported feeling tugs on their wrists, hands, and clothing along the boardwalk in front of the hotel, attributed to a 4-5-year-old child who has been seen roaming the boardwalk and the surrounding area.

The boardwalks of Calico’s Main Street are also said to be haunted by the ghost of its last marshal, Tumbleweed Harris. Visitors have described seeing a large man with a white beard, matching the description of the man who kept the peace in Calico for seven years.

At the Calico Corral, some visitors have heard the sounds of crowds and celebrations emanating from the barn that once hosted regular Saturday night dances. At Lil’s Saloon, one of Calico’s original buildings, sounds of an old-style piano and rowdy crowds have been heard when the building was empty. Employees have also reported hearing the jingle of spurs and other unexplained noises.

Another spectral lady in a long white dress has been seen walking near the outskirts of the ghost town, while a female ghost named Esmeralda is said to reside in the building that once housed the town theater, now the R&D Fossils & Minerals Shop.

Finally, Calico had another famous resident: Dorsey, the "mail-carrying dog." Dorsey was found in 1883 by Postmaster Jim Stacy, who adopted him and trained him to carry messages and mail between Calico and the nearby Bismarck mine. For three years, Dorsey faithfully covered the mail route, becoming a beloved figure in the community.

Dorsey’s legend was revived in a 1972 album by Kenny Rogers, featuring a song called "Dorsey, the Mail Carrying Dog." And, of course, in haunted Calico, he has been revived in another way: as the "spectral dog." Dorsey has been seen as a shadow-like apparition at the cemetery and near the Print Shop, which stands near the original location of the post office.

Unless you sit on Hank’s fence, it appears that none of the ghosts in Calico are malevolent, so don’t let them deter you from visiting this remarkable old ghost town. Calico, California, beckons with its rich history, stunning scenery, and the promise of an unforgettable experience.