TODOLIST

GHOST TOWNS

OF THE SOUTHLAND

By Christopher Kalil

SOMETIMES THE MOST DESOLATE PLACES HOLD THE MOST LIFE. FOR THOSE SEEKING AN EXCITING, OUTSIDETHE BOUNDS TRIP INTO HIS TORY, LOOK NO FUR THER THAN YOUR OWN BACKYARD. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS HOME TO DOZENS OF GHOST TOWNS THAT ARE JUST WAITING TO BE EXPLORED. WHETHER YOU ARE A HISTORY BUFF, A THRILL SEEKER, OR ARE JUST LOOKING FOR AN ALTERNATIVE TYPE OF VACATION, THE GHOST TOWNS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ARE JUST WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

JULIAN

HISTORIC GOLD MINING TOWN

Take a step back in time and visit Julian, a historic gold mining town located about an hour east of San Diego. Julian’s rich history is rooted in the gold rush of the 1870’s. Visitors to this charming mountain town can experience early Julian through the guided Eagle and High Peak mining tours or by stopping at the Pioneer Museum. For those with a more modern taste, there are plenty of shops, restaurants, and wine tastings to experience.

Julian’s Country Christmas kicks off on November 27 with a tree lighting ceremony. Many additional holiday festivities are planned throughout the end of the year. With year-round music festivals, plenty of cozy bed and breakfasts, and plenty of activities for people of all ages, this former ghost town is a must-visit.

CALICO

SILVER RUSH GHOST TOWN

Proclaimed by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to be California’s Silver Rush Ghost Town, Calico stands as one of the oldest parts of the San Bernardino County Regional Parks. Founded in 1881 during California’s silver strike, Calico was home to 500 mines that produced more than $20 million in silver ore. The beautiful desert environment is now host to visitors from around the world.

Some of Calico’s historic attractions include a visit to the Lucy Lane Museum, a ride on the Calico Odessa Railroad, or for the adventurous, a frightening trip through the Calico Ghost Tours. If you’re looking to experience the Calico outdoors, the town offers a variety of camping sites, mountain biking trails, and ATV tracks. H

MENTRYVILLE

OILDRILLING TOWN

Thirty-five miles north of Los Angeles sits the town of Mentryville, the original home of California’s first commercially viable oil well. Founded in the 1870’s as an oil-drilling town, it became a ghost town as the oil dried up in 1962. Now an 851-acre State Park, Mentryville offers plenty for visitors to explore.

Mentryville has become a popular shooting location for many films and television shows, such as “The Color Purple,” “The X-Files,” and “The A-Team.” There is a wealth of activities for those off-set to take part in as well. From hiking to biking to horseback riding, those seeking to lose themselves in nature will find a plethora of action to enjoy.

DOS PALMAS

WATERING HOLE

Dos Palmas, a beautiful oasis in Riverside County, was once a watering hole for Native Americans passing across the Colorado Desert. In 1862, Dos Palmas became a camp for travelers along the Bradshaw and Yuma roads on the way to La Paz. The spring is now protected as part of the 14,000 acre Dos Palmas Reserve.

Located 10 miles southeast of Mecca, Dos Palmas is the perfect place to get close to the amazing wildlife of Southern California. While the summers in Dos Palmas are hot, the reserve is open to visit year-round. H

MANZANAR

WAR RELOCATION CENTER

Located nine miles north of Lone Pine, the town of Manzanar is bursting at the seams with history. Originally a post office and shipping point in the early 1900’s, Manzanar became infamous during the 1940’s as the location for the Manzanar Japanese American internment camp during World War II. The internment camp closed in 1945, and since 1969, Manzanar has been the final destination of the Manzanar Pilgrimage, an annual gathering of thousands of visitors in remembrance of the incarceration. A visit to Manzanar is guaranteed to be an emotional experience and stands as a monument to reflection on the past.

RED MOUNTAIN

MINING TOWN

Red Mountain, formerly known as Osdick, is located 32 miles southwest of Trona in San Bernardino County. The town was founded in the early 1900’s during a large mining boom in the nearby town of Randsburg. By 1929, the town had acquired a name for itself as not only the home to a notable silver mine, but also the home to a variety of vices. Red Mountain was known as a place to get a drink during the prohibition era and often drew an unsavory crowd.

Present-day Red Mountain boasts a population of only around 130 people. While many of the original structures are still standing, none of them are operational. However, this makes Red Mountain an extremely interesting ghost town to explore and those seeking adventure and discovery are sure to find it here. v