Bodie, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bodie, Washington
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 Bodie, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Okanogan |
| Settled | 1888 |
| Elevation | 2,592 ft (790 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 0 |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| Zip code |
98859
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| Area code(s) | 509 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1516745 |
Bodie is a fascinating ghost town located in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. It's a place where you can explore the remains of an old mining town.
Contents
Where is Bodie Located?
Bodie is found in the state of Washington. It sits about 15 miles north of a town called Wauconda. You can find it along Toroda Creek, which is County Road 9495, just off Washington State Route 20. Bodie is quite high up, at 2,592 feet (790 meters) above sea level. Its exact spot is 48°49′58″N 118°53′48″W / 48.83278°N 118.89667°W.
How the Region's History Began
The story of this area started in 1886. Two prospectors, Tommy Ryan and Phil Creasor, found a lot of valuable minerals in northern Okanogan County. They named their discovery Eureka Gulch, which later became known as Republic. Finding such good ore led to many mines and towns popping up nearby. This included Bodie and its neighbor, Wauconda, Washington.
The Story of Bodie, Washington
People started living in Bodie in early 1888. This was just two years after the big mineral discovery that created Republic's Knob Hill Mine. High-quality ore was dug up, processed, and refined right in Bodie.
However, the price of gold dropped, and the town's mine closed in 1934. This caused the buildings to empty out. At that time, the town's main activity moved to the Bodie Mining Camp nearby.
It's believed that about US$1.2 million in gold was found here. Some people even say that Bodie Creek still "runs color," meaning you might still find tiny bits of gold in it!
Today, this beautiful area and its ghost towns attract many visitors. Historians, mining fans, and photographers come to see the old, leaning buildings, rusty equipment, and mysterious log cabins.
Only one original building from "Old Bodie" is still standing. It's a small two-story house that was turned into a storage building. There's a larger building that many people think was a schoolhouse that also served as a saloon, but local stories disagree.
The Bodie Mine's History
North of Bodie, Washington, on Toroda Road, you'll find the Bodie Mine. This mine was first claimed in 1897 by the Bodie Mining Company. Later, it was owned by the Northern Gold Company and Toroda Mines Inc..
The road cuts through the interesting remains of this mining camp. This camp is often mistaken for the original "old" Bodie, Washington. The mine itself has many tunnels and open areas dug into a mineral vein. This vein runs along a ridge that rises from Toroda Creek.
Mining stopped during World War II. This was because the government ordered mines to focus on metals needed for the war. A stock certificate from 1903 shows the mine was worth US$1,500,000 back then! Today, the Geomineral Corporation owns the Bodie Mine. The property has been continuously occupied since it was first discovered.
How Bodie Got Its Name
The Bodie Mine and the town of Bodie in Washington were named after a famous mining town in California. That town, Bodie, California, was named after its first claim holder, William S. Bodey. When his tent city was being built, a sign painter changed the spelling of his name to Bodie. They thought it would look better over time.
More Interesting Facts
An old report mentions Bodie camp on the Republic-Chesaw wagon road. It was about twenty-four miles northwest of Republic. The main property there was the BODIE mine. Shipments of ore sent to a smelter in Canada were worth about $500 per ton! Another group of claims, called the GOLDEN REWARD, was managed by R. E. Willoughby. An early test of their ore showed it was worth $97.
See also
In Spanish: Bodie (Washington) para niños
