Teamsters and Blacksmiths

Boone Store and Warehouse- Bodie, California.

As word  of strikes in the Bodie Mining District spread, more men  started to arrive in the Mountain “summer-tent camp.” 

Various laborers of trades were needed in the beginning, early stages of development of  the mining-operations in Bodie.

Teamsters with wagon -drawn-mule-teams, transporting in the  supplies, tools and mining equipment, had to deal with un-passable snow depths, dangerous road washouts, and animals deaths.

These men were experienced and experienced, capable Tradesmen, skilled Carpenters, Blacksmiths, Mechanics, who were physically and mentally strong enough to live and  work under the rigor, hazardous, deadly conditions.

As the population  of miners’ increased, the “ragged canvas tent- Summer -only camp” was replaced with miners’ wood-sided cabins. A Blacksmith shop  and a Saw-Mill became more permanent. 

Animal Barns were built for the mule-teams, and “Rock Warehouses” were built for food and supply storage.

The boom years from 1877 to the late 1880- Gold bullion from the Bodie’s nine stamp mills was shipped to Carson City, Nevada by way of Aurora, Wellington and Garderville.

After delivered to Carson City, it was delivered to the Mint there, or sent by rail  to the Mint in San Francisco.