The Old West: Calico Ghost Town
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Published 2021-06-17
Calico is an old West mining town that has been around since 1881 and was abandoned in the mid-1890s after silver lost its value. The town that once gave miners a good living lost its hustle and became a “ghost town.”
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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. Calico received State Historical Landmark 782 and in 2005 was proclaimed by then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to be California’s Silver Rush Ghost Town.
Today, Calico is part of the San Bernardino County Regional Parks system, which is visited by people from across the country and from all over the world. Along with its history and attractions, Calico Ghost Town has shops, restaurants and offers camping, hiking and off-roading.
Due to the historic nature of the town, not all areas are ADA accessible. CAUTION: Mines in the Calico area are extremely hazardous and must not be approached for any reason.
This town is like going back in time to the Old West. Will you see a ghost in the Maggie Mine? What is still being hidden in the hills of Calico.
parks.sbcounty.gov/park/calico-ghost-town-regional…
The Maggie Mine was a working silver mine in the 1880s and is now the only mine that is safe for guests to experience. Your 1000 foot self-guided tour will begin with a blacklight display that shows some of the minerals in the local rocks. Then you will continue down the mine drift where you will see and hear the history of the mine and learn how the miners worked in the local Calico mountains.
Before entering the Maggie Mine, you can learn about the process of getting silver from the ore, see a reconstruction of an Assay office, and samples of stamp mills that were used during the early days in mining. There are antique mining exhibits to explore, as well as photographs and educational information.
Be sure to browse the T-Shirts, keychains, and one of a kind miner's helmets for a great souvenir from the Maggie Mine. We also carry a great line of Railroad souvenir too!
Runs continuously daily from 9-5
The Calico Odessa Railroad was installed in town in 1958 and has been running on a regular basis since then. We are open 9-5 daily.
There are a few times when it may not operate due to weather or mechanical issues.
The tour lasts approximately 8 minutes and takes you on a trip around the hill to see some historical sites, mining equipment and hear some interesting historical points.
The price is $5 for Adults (11 and over) and $2.50 for Children (5-10), Children 4 and under are free. We are pet friendly too and do not charge for pets to ride.
We will be adding more historical facts and pictures as we gather them, but until then come on out and take a ride with Hardrock John.
Runs continuously daily from 9-5
Train ride is approximately 8 minutes.
www.calicoattractions.com/attractions.html
On your guided tour through the famous Calico Mystery Shack you will experience amazing feats and confusing sights.
Learn and experience first hand how the miners of yesterday and today pan for gold in a stream.
During your adventure you will walk away with your own riches of Fool's Gold or more technically known-Iron Pyrite. No one goes away empty handed. You can even take your treasure home in a Calico Ghost Town souvenir glass vial.
In the store you will find gold pans, T Shirts, large nuggets, and other panning supplies that you can take home to keep the fun going.
Open daily from 9-5
Adventure lasts about 5-10 minutes
We are happy to announce there are now three unique Ghost Tour experiences you can choose from.
The first being the original walk up Main Street. You will enjoy learning about the town from the 1880s to today. Not only do you hear the stories of sightings and haunting, but may walk away with your experience to talk about.
The Maggie Mine tour is a tour exclusively through the Maggie Mine. With the lights turned down low, experience the mine as no one has since the Mulcahy Bros mined it in 1881. The mine has its own hauntings and stories to be told, along with many more to come.
The newest addition is our School House tour. Where not only do you hear the stories about all of the children, but you get to go inside the school house at night and receive a whole new education.
Tours are offered every Saturday night on a rotating basis and last about 60-75 minutes. The Ghost Tours are not a theatrical show, they are the truest accounts of history and hauntings that have been compiled.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.calicoghosttours.com. Advance reservations are required, no tickets sold at tour.
All Comments (21)
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Thanks for coming back in time with me to the Old West in the Calico Ghost Town. Also in the beginning of the video I mention it’s not far from Baker, California. It’s actually even closer to Barstow, California.
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Calico Ghost Town has so much more now than I remember from the last trip.
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Thanks I went there in 1974 .... Thanks for the memories
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I remember when they used pan for gold at Knott’s Berry Farm. Congrats on finding gold, now you can retire 😁
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Niceeee 👍 Calico is so cool and interesting and much better when the video is made by you make me love even mire ❤️ plus looking at your gorgeous face pretty outfit 🔥n adorable voice ! Im só glad you found a little gold I always watch your video few times with the commercials to help you ….my idol Thanks for share I can’t wait for the next video
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First time there I was prolly 13 or 14. Truck died at the tollbooth, right after the park opened, and dad paid the entrance fee. Spent a long day at the Barstow? bus station, and got back home the next morning. Finally got back up there like 15 years later. Memories....
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I remember going camping out there as a kid
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I have never been to a ghost town like this and would love to one day! I'm so here for this! 👀
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Another good video. Always good information and I liked your sound design
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This is so fascinating! Can you imagine living when this was alive and hopping? That school house is so cool! I want to go there now!
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I've always wanted to visit there.
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Very cool trip to Calico. At the bottom of the hill you drove up to get there is our RC flying field, it's on Calico Dry Lake bed, stop by and fly on your third trip to the ghost town.
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awesome place...cool video
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Thank you for making this video
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I am so glad you went back to do part two of this video since I really enjoyed part 1! It is such an interesting history. I can’t wait to see a ghost town in person!
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The gold mining (or sifting) looks like a lot of fun! I want to take our kids there, such an amazing experience! 😍 The haunted mine would be too scary for me alone lol! I would run 🤦🏽♀️😄
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That one was lots if fun
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I love calico it San amazing place
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This is so fascinating! I love this window into history. Absolutely fascinating place. Also, haunted mine! Thank you for sharing!
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I went back in 1983,,2nd Grade?? On A School Field Trip..I jus remember a few Stores...I can appreciate it more now.. I definitly dont remember walking inside Caves,,Were those real Caves??? If so,Id be afraid the place would cave in....Your Brave!!!
