In 1859 William "Waterman" Bodey discovered gold at what is known today as Bodie Bluff. As word spread, as well as gold fever, a new town was born. The spelling of Bodie may have been changed to aid pronunciation. An estimated population of 10,000 called Bodie home by 1880. This wild town supported 65 saloons, many gambling halls, brothels and opium dens. It was said that a man was killed every day in Bodie.
This rough and tumble town presented quite a challenge for a preacher and his followers. Pictured here is Bodie's Methodist Church. Built in the 1880s, it is one of quite a few structures that remain intact. Close to five percent of the buildings exist today, although some are off limits due to structural instability. Bodie State Historic Park serves up one of the better preserved ghost towns in California.