This Abandoned Town in California Will Give You the Creeps

California is known for its sunny beaches, Hollywood glamour, and diverse culture. But the Golden State also has a darker side, one that is hidden in the dusty hills and desolate valleys of its vast landscape. There are many abandoned towns in California, some of them dating back to the gold rush era, that have been left to decay and rot. These ghost towns are eerie reminders of the past, and some of them have stories that will give you the creeps.

Bodie: The Wild West Town Frozen in Time

One of the most famous and well-preserved ghost towns in California is Bodie, located in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains. Bodie was founded in 1859 by William Bodey, who discovered gold in the area. The town soon became a booming mining center, attracting thousands of fortune seekers, outlaws, and gamblers. At its peak, Bodie had about 10,000 residents, 65 saloons, and a notorious reputation for violence and lawlessness.

However, by the early 1900s, the gold mines were depleted and the town began to decline. A series of fires, harsh winters, and economic depression drove most of the inhabitants away, leaving behind a ghost town of empty buildings and abandoned belongings. In 1962, Bodie became a state historic park, and is now maintained in a state of “arrested decay”, meaning that nothing is restored or repaired, but rather preserved as it was when the last residents left. Visitors can walk through the streets of Bodie and peek into the windows of the old houses, shops, school, church, and saloon, and see the artifacts of a bygone era.

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Manzanar: The Internment Camp That Haunts America’s History

Another ghost town in California that has a tragic and shameful history is Manzanar, located in the Owens Valley near the town of Independence. Manzanar was one of the 10 internment camps that the US government established during World War II to detain and isolate over 110,000 Japanese Americans, most of them US citizens, who were considered a potential threat to national security. From 1942 to 1945, more than 10,000 people were confined in Manzanar, living in cramped and primitive barracks surrounded by barbed wire and guard towers.

The internees endured harsh conditions, such as extreme temperatures, dust storms, and lack of privacy, as well as discrimination, humiliation, and loss of freedom. Many of them tried to make the best of their situation, creating gardens, schools, newspapers, and sports teams. Some of them even volunteered to serve in the US military, fighting for the country that had imprisoned them. After the war ended, the internees were released and Manzanar was abandoned. In 1992, Manzanar became a national historic site, and a museum and a replica of a barracks were built to educate the public about the internment and its impact on the Japanese American community.

Conclusion

These are just two examples of the many abandoned towns in California that have fascinating and spooky stories to tell. These ghost towns are not only relics of the past, but also lessons for the present and the future. They show us the highs and lows of human history, the dreams and nightmares of different generations, and the consequences of our actions and choices. They also challenge us to reflect on our own values, identities, and responsibilities as citizens of a diverse and dynamic society. If you ever have the chance to visit these abandoned towns in California, you will not only get the creeps, but also gain a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.

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