1880-Covered I.O.O.F. Staircase
“Covered Staircase”- back of the I.O.O.F. Meeting Hall.
Backdoor “Covered Staircase” 1880-Bodie THEN- Bodie NOW—— 140 years later!!
The backside of the IOOF Meeting Hall tells it’s own unique Bodie Story-
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 279- used the upper floor or “second floor” of the HENRY WARD BUILDING.
The “first floor” was used by Henry Ward, who had built the the building in 1880 to house his “Undertaking & Furniture Business.”
The IOOF Meeting Hall entrance was a “covered staircase,” located at the back of the WARDS FURNITURE STORE.
The outdoor staircase was “enclosed and covered,” because of Bodie snow-levels. An “uncover staircase” would have collapsed under the weight of the snow, or be destroyed by rain or wind- storm-damage
The backdoor, “covered staircase” entrance was protected from “storm damage,” allowing usage of the Meeting Hall year round- no matter the disaster caused by the resulting snow-drift heights.
1912 Gregory Home-Bodie THEN Bodie NOW- Window Reflections
Bodie Window Reflections- of Gregory House!
1912-Bodie THEN- Gregory House - Green Street. Bodie NOW… Gregory House across the street from the Schoolhouse.
~~~ March 12, 1912….CATHERINE COOK GREGORY- Aged 58 years. - buried in the Bodie Wards Cemetery.~~~
Bodie, California- U. S. Federal Census - 995 citizens.
Catherine Gregory, Wife of Nathan Gregory, name appears on the 1900 U. S. Federal Census with four children.
Grave of Nathan Hall Gregory died April 26, 1926.
~~~~~NATHAN HALL GREGORY- (b. November 19, 1841) died April 9, 1926, aged 81 years. buried in Bodie Wards Cemetery.
Nathan Gregory operated a Cattle Ranch between Bodie and Aurora.
Life’s work well done. He Rests in Peace
Bodie Firehouse THEN-1932 Bodie NOW 95- Years Later!
Bodie THEN- Firehouse rebuilt in 1930’s by the California Conservation Corps.
~~~Bodie THEN- 1930 FIREHOUSE- Bodie NOW- Firehouse 95 years later….
Bodie, California 1930 U. S. Federal Census- 228 citizens.
The Firehouse in Bodie was “rebuilt” in the 1930’s by the California Conservation Corp.
Before the devastating 1932 FIRE- Volunteer Fire Companies had battled a number of “smaller Mining” Fires.
The Biggest and most devastating - being the July 25, 1892 North Main Street Fire. It started in a restaurant owned by Mrs. James Perry.
Efforts to fight the Fire were “delayed due to a “valve closed inadvertently.”
The flames consumed over 60 buildings in the “downtown Bodie.”
Lack of water, also plagued those who battled the June 23, 1932 FIRE. The poorly maintained screens at the reservoir led to rocks and debris clogging the pipes.
Approximately 40 buildings were destroyed, including the BANK OF BODIE, the POSTOFFICE, the Occidential Hotel, United States Hotel, the SAWDUST SALOON.
The STANDARD MILL had escaped the flames, along with the School, Miners’ Union Hall, the CRANE & EDWARDS STORE and the Hydro-electric building!!
Bodie THEN-1945- Bodie NOW- Mary Burkham
VIEW of Bodie and Standard Mill from BURKHAM family plot- BODIE CEMETERY.
Bodie THEN-1945 …. Bodie NOW- 2025 … 80 Years later!!
Bodie, California U. S. Census- 90 Citizens.
MARY L. BURKHAM- died 17 January 1945, Aged 85 years. Buried WARDS CEMETERY.
Mrs. Mary L. O’Donnell Burkham, born ( 14 February 1860) in New York, came to Nevada at an early age.
Solomon and Mary Burkham had four children.
Cecil Burkham, born 22 September 1878. (died 22 September 1972) married Miss Josephine Seiller from Bodie.
Harlan Burkham, born July 1883 in Lundy, California (died in 1914 in Jerome, Arizona) married Miss Maude Metzer, also of Bodie, in 1904 the Bodie Methodist Church. (They divorced in 1909)
ELeanor “Nellie” Burkham, born in Bodie July 1888, died October 17, 1926 (in Los Angeles. Married Grant Holcomb.
“Kate or Miss Kathryn Burkham, born December 1892 in Bodie, died in 1912- Age 20 years. (unmarried)
The Before 1945- the Burkham graves tell “a Bodie story” of family and children. Two of the sons marrying “Bodie girls.”
The Metzer, Seiler and Burkham families- contributing to the vast History, have a “silent legacy”
Today- 80 years later-their efforts and contributions have stood the “Test of Time”….in a town “abandoned but not forgotten.”
Bodey Memorial Plaque- 1957
Snowshoe Thompson Chapter- E Clampus Vitus- first plaque for W. S. Bodey.
LET HIM REPOSE IN PEACE AMID THESE EVERLASTING HILLS
Snowshoe Thompson Chapter - E Clampus Vitus- October 5, 1957
The man for whom the town was named for- only has a “Memorial Plaque and Stone Marker.”
Bodie was purchased by the State of California in 1956, from the “J. S. Cain Company,”- the James Stewart heirs.
A year later, October 5, 1957- Snowshoe Thompson Chapter- E Clampus Vitus placed the plaque and memorial in Ward Cemetery.
Mining Equipment need to build the Mining District
1879-1881-The size of the “wheels” required “in the mining ore.” Wagons- mule teams transporting it up to Bodie Mining Camp.
The huge scale, “size and weight” of the industrial mechanical parts that went into constructing the Mining Operations in Bodie. (1879-1881)
The manufacturing of the industrial Mining Equipment, generally was done, and came from the San Francisco Foundries.
Next came the transport to Bodie- the “Freighters,” taking it the last fifteen Miles from Bridgeport to Bodie was slow and required skilled knowledge of the dangerous dirt route to the high mountain elevation in unfavorable weather conditions. Most months of the Winter, Spring months were totally impassable.
Snow drifts, and wind-chilling temperatures making the wagon- mule teams unable to travel, without death from exposure.
Installation was another “engineering operation” —-the BODIE MINERS’ UNION had organized to “pursue the exploration” with the finalized plan in bringing “Gold Ore” out of the Mountain, with the latest technology in equipment to hoist it out of the ground.
Rusted old Car- left to the imagination!!
~~~~Rusted old vehicle- left behind in Bodie, California.
The “Mining History of Bodie,” includes the Machinery, the Miners, and Transportation.
Among the “Left behind and Abandoned” were vehicles. The “odd parts” are all that remain of the metal heap of a automobile.
Over a 100 years of decay are piled together. No identification- only the assemble of shapes tells the story of “it had wheels, seats had springs, a steering wheel, and perhaps a front window.”
By 1920, Bodie had begun to experience the influence of motor vehicles, marking a shift from the mule or horse-drawn, buck board-wagons.
Early automobiles, though still a novelty, started to appear among the rough-hewn structures of the mining town, reflecting both the progress of technology. Dirt roads carved through the rugged landscape became a canvas for these new machines, which offered a glimpse into a “modernizing world” beyond the work and hardships of mining life.
Despite their limited number, vehicles in Bodie represented a shift toward increased mobility and connectivity, hinting at the inevitable changes that would shape Bodie town legacy.
Julia Hayden Boone-died 1881.
Reflecting on the past- a glimpse- front Window of BOONE & WRIGHT STORE and WAREHOUSE (built 1879) Bodie, California.
A reflection, a timeless glimpse into Bodie’s past- front window of BOONE STORE & WAREHOUSE.
Built in 1879, was one of several “general stores” in Bodie. It was owned by partners, Harvey Boone and James W. Wright.
Mrs. Julia Hayden Boone, Harvey Boone’ first wife, died October 20, 1881, aged 38 years. (buried in Bodie’s WARDS CEMETERY)
Sacred Memory of Mrs. J. E. Boone —— BORN March 6, 1843———Died October 20, 1881
Mrs. Haydens obituary stating- She leaves Three little ones, “the Eldest Three and half years old, Next Eighteen Months, and the Youngest but 10 days old. (Cause of death- Childbirth Complications!)
Miller’s ~~kitchen sink!!
Inside of the Tom Miller’s “two-room home”- the kitchen sink and “kerosene hanging lamp.”
The old white porcelain “kitchen sink" and the hanging “kerosene lamp” tells the story of “life in Bodie.”
~~Second room of Tom Miller’s home- just enough room for a bed.
David Victor Cain- Ella Cody Cain
Built in 1873-home of David Victor Cain, son of James Stewart Cain.
David Victor Cain
Built in 1873, this was the home of David Victor Cain, son of James Stewart Cain.
In 1904- David V. Cain married Ella M. Cody.
Ella Cody was born June 9, 1872, in Bodie, “famed Eastern California Mining camp. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Cody.
Mr. M. J. Cody was the first Land Office Receiver in this area of the West. In 1888 was elected Sheriff of Mono County.
Ella Cain was the author of THE STORY OF BODIE, copyright 1956, and THE STORY OF EARLY MONO COUNTY, copyright 1961.
Ella Cody Cain died January 25, 1966, aged 83 years.
Purchase of Bodie, California
Bodie State Historic Park - and the JAMES STEWART CAIN COMPANY preservation efforts.
PURCHASE OF BODIE by the California State Legislature….
California Governor Goodwin J. Knight, in 1956 signed an “Appropriations Bill,” passed by the California State Legislature authorizing the purchase of Bodie, California.
It was purchased from the Cain Family heirs-descendants of James Stuart Cain.
James Stewart Cain purchased buildings and abandoned properties as, one by one, Bodietes sold out and moved away. He was the “sole purchaser of the abandoned properties,” and acquired each as they came available. Bodie’s population had dwindled with a population of 698 citizens in 1910. Bodie was deserted, its buildings falling down into decay, from the harsh winds and snowstorms.
James Stewart Cains heirs had continued as the JAMES S. CAIN COMPANY, marking a significant turning point in the Bodie’s ownership history.
Under their stewardship, the Cain family aimed to preserve the remnants of the once-thriving mining town. As the major landowner, caretakers were hired to protect and watch-over the town for unwanted visitors
JAMES S. CAIN COMPANY efforts included keeping Bodie and its buildings from looter’s and vandalism, and “enhancing the overall towns- Wild-Wild West appeal,” which helped spark interest in Bodie's unique place in mining history.
James Stewart Cain and his heirs commitment to maintaining the integrity of the Bodie, played a crucial role in its eventual designation as a California State Historic Park, ensuring that Future Generations would have the opportunity to explore and discover about the intriguing stories etched into Bodie's Mines and buildings.
BODIE HOTEL
~~BODIE HOTEL MEALS AT ALL HOURS- inside the WHEATON & LUHRS STORE- Main Street Bodie.
WHEATON & LUHRS
In the early 1880’s, George H. Weaton and Nicholas Luhrs 1880’s built a “merchandise store” on Main Street.
The sign on the façade, displayed their names.
Later, after Nicholas Luhrs died, “the façade was covered over” with a new wooded sign- BODIE HOTEL- MEALS AT ALL HOURS. There were overlapping signs, until the BODIE HOTEL SIGN was taken down.
Then the old building’s “White Paint had faded,” revealed a different name- WHEATON & HOLLIS. There was never anyone “named Hollis” associated it.
From 1885-1886- “the building” was the U. S. Land Office. Michael J. Cody worked there after his appointment by President Cleveland.
In 1898, J. S. Cain bought “the BODIE HOTEL” building.
In 1910- it was the offices for the “Hydroelectric Company,” a Substation for Distribution of the town’s electricity from Lundy Canyon.
In the late 1920’s- after the CLINTON-WEST Mining Company arrived- and the buildings use was a “hotel/boarding house.”
Saving the Methodist Church
Summer of 1943
SAM LEON’S BAR hosted a “Dance” to SAVE THE METHODIST CHURCH, raising $65 of the $100 needed to keep thebuilding out of Foreclosure. The adjoining building, the Joe Harhner Barbershop. (Last Barber to work in Bodie.)
BODIE’S METHODIST CHURCH was in “Foreclosure.” A sum of of $100 was needed to “prevent a Foreclosure Sale.”
E. J. Clinton, head of a mining company in Bodie in the late 1920s, restored the Church with his own funding, and often preached “Sermons in the Church.”
In the Summer of 1943, Victor Cain, (oldest son of J. S. Cain,) and Victor’s wife Ella Cain, prevailed upon “the Chinese owner of the town’s only Saloon,” Sam Leon “to Host a Dance” in his establishment. With the Funds derived from the “Dance” going to “Save the Methodist Church.”
SAM LEON’S BAR was opened in 1937, after losing U. S. HOTEL in the 1932 FIRE. (The building had previously been a restaurant, operated by the Hise family.)
A total of $65 was raised. The remaining $35 was gathered from Donations.
Bodie’s CATHOLIC CHURCH, also built in 1882, burned in a 1928 Fire.
The METHODIST CHURCH is the only Church still standing in Bodie.
BODIE WATER COMPANY
-February 4, 1880 -BODIE WATER COMPANY
It was in early 1880 (February 4, 1880), when the citizens of Bodie banded together to create the BODIE WATER COMPANY.
The “funds raised through shares,” paid for the excavation of the 250,000 gallon Reservoir, located above town on the edge of the Mining District.
Originally, the “excess water” from the nearby Mono Mine, was used for Bodie’s Fire Protection. Later, the great Lent Shaft was used to keep the reservoir full.
Old Fire Wagon- once used by CHAMPION HOSE COMPANY NO 1. or NEPTUNE HOSE COMPANY NO. 2
Eight hydrants were placed along Main Street. Next, two volunteer Fire Companies were established; CHAMPION HOSE COMPANY NO. 1 and NEPTUNE HOSE COMPANY NO. 2.
On February 4, 1880 the BODIE WATER COMPANY demonstrated the new system. The Directors of the BODIE WATER COMPANY, turned the valve, charging the Hydrants.
The CHAMPION HOSE COMPANY NO. 1 and NEPTUNE HOSE COMPANY NO. 2 were both present to to “test the water pressure.”
MICHAEL J. CODEY July 24, 1905
BODIE MINERS’ UNION FLAG- Michael J. Cody- Pioneer member died July 24, 1905.
Over The Great Divide. M. J. Cody Obeys The Call
Today, we write upon the page of Mono’s departed Pioneers, the name of one with a heart fully worthy, of the name of MICHAEL JOSEPH CODY.
On the afternoon of the 13th July, Cody was struck “on the head by a rock thrown from a blast which resulted in a fractured skull.” Two operations were performed, but Meningitis proved the Victor.
Michael Cody, at the age of 55 years and 26 days, surrounded by those he loved and blessed with all the Rites of that Church of which he was a devout member, passed away at 7:30 P.M., July 24, 1905.
Born on the shore of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on the 28th day of June 1850, Mr. Cody early took the advice of Horace Greeley, and “journeyed westward to the Bonanza Camp Virginia City” Hearing of the wonders of the famous Bodie he soon arrived to make it his lifetime home.
A giant in stature, a Man of strong personality, fearless for right in the years since 1876, when first he arrived in this county, his name has been linked with each and every Forward Movement.
In September 1881, he was married to Miss Kate Shaughnessy of Bodie. Six children were the fruits of this union. Today they gathered at the bedside for the Last Farewell.
In 1877, he was one of the organizers of the BODIE MINERS’ UNION, and retained his membership until about a year ago, when he became a member of the “Bodie Labor Union” of which organization he was President at the time of his death.
Mr. Cody was always one of the leaders of the Democratic party in this Section, and as a reward was appointed, during the Cleveland administration, as Receiver for the Land Office then located in Bodie.
In 1888, he was elected Sheriff of Mono, which Office he held for two terms. He was a Past Master of Bodie Lodge, No. 279, A.O.U.W. and was buried under the auspices of that Order.
Mr. Cody leaves a wife, three daughters – Mrs. David V. Cain, Miss May Cody and little Katie – three sons – Edmund, Mervyn and Ralph and two brothers, one in Cripple Creek and the other in San Jose, and a nephew – Charles H. Miller of Bodie, who was constantly with him during his last hours.
The body was taken to Bodie early Tuesday morning and buried on Bodie’s hill-side the following day.
Personally we had known the deceased for over twenty years and knew him always as a Man.
No greater praise can be said of any one than that. True to the principles of manhood and his God, true as a husband and father, steadfast as a friend.
No Weeping Willow will droop above his grave, the green grass and the purling Stream tempers not the dusty Breeze,
but the redolent Sage will shade the mound, and the flitting Lizard, and chattering Chipmunk will call in Vain for their old Companion.
Bridgeport Chronicle-Union, 7/28/1905
“UNKNOWN LOCATIONS”
1879- Mine Explosion- Mining Accidents and “buried UNKNOWN”
Mining Explosions, Mining Accidents- resulted in “unmarked graves.”- and are no longer locatable.
FEBRUARY 6, 1879
Ford Rogers Ryon, “slipped on ice and fell 450 feet down” the BODIE MINE shaft. (buried -”unmarked grave”-UNKNOWN LOCATION)
June 10, 1879
W.J. O’Brien, died “in the Explosion of a Powder Magazine.” (buried in “unmarked grave”-UNKNOWN LOCATION)
March 1879
J. J. Welch bought the TOWER RESTAURANT, and renamed it NEVADA RESTAURANT and CHOP HOUSE.
SEPTEMBER 6, 1879
DAILY FREE PRESS first edition. Owned by H.Z. Osborn & Company. DAILY FREE PRESS publishes First Edition
SEPTEMBER 8, 1879
Eleanor Dumont “Madame Mustache” died. A respected women, who owned Gambling Houses through the West.
Her body was was found, “about two miles out of town with a Bottle of Poison.” (buried in an “unmarked grave”-UNKNOWN LOCATION)
OCTOBER 9, 1879
J.R. Cassidy, H. Richards, Sam Martin, Manuel Garcia and Joseph Broodier were killed, “when the brakes failed on the Tioga Mine Cage. All five miners’, “plummeted 520 feet to their death.” (all five Miners’ buried in individual “unmarked graves”-UNKNOWN LOCATION)
OCTOBER 16, 1879
Bodie Masonic Lodge No. 252 chartered—-Built a Meeting-Hall for meetings, and Community Events, and “acquired land for Burials.” (Masonic Section of Bodie Cemetery - Marked graves locations.)
Early timeline of BODIE, California
1860
1861
APRIL 24, 1861
Mono County, California- founded. Bridgeport- as the County Seat.
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1862
OCTOBER 15, 1862
The first “incorrect spelling of Bodey” is noted. Spelling changed by a sign-painter in Aurora- BODIE STABLES.
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1870
1878
JANUARY 15, 1878
Alexander Nixon- elected first President of the BODIE MINERS’ UNION. Died Age 31- June 13, 1878.
Alexander Nixon elected President of the BODIE MINERS’ UNION.
John Pryer elected Vice-President of the BODIE MINERS’ UNION.
FEBRUARY 2, 1878
Beginning of Stage Service. 3 times a day between Bodie & Aurora. Once daily to Bridgeport.
JUNE 1, 1878
BODIE MINING COMPANY makes a rich strike. Stock soars from .50 cents to $50. a share price.
JUNE !0, 1878
The “first load” of Bodie Ore weighs in at over 10,000lbs.
June 13, 1878
Alexander Nixon died- June 13, 1878
born 1847- Native of Tyrone, Ireland. aged 31 years.
“GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN”
First President of the Bodies Miners Union, Killed in a shootout in a Saloon after he and his friend Tom McDonald argued over “Who was the Better Man.”
Interred -(MINERS’ UNION CEMETERY)
Religious Fellowship
The “Religious Fellowship”- connected the miners an “in unspoken trust.”
By 1877, the BODIE MINERS’ UNION had establish the “mining camp” as a “Labor Union Town,” meaning Bodie was not a “a sole- ownership Mining Company Town- which owning every house, store, or road.”
Not one family, or “Single Company” owned everything.
In Bodie, the Mines, Stamp Mills, Hoisting Works were each owned and operated by different and separate “individual companies.” The Teamsters, the Mechanics, the Lodging establishments, the Saloons, Slaughterhouse, were each their own enterprises.
Everything in Bodie centered around the BODIE MINERS UNION. The men, who made up the 190 membership, had each arrived in Bodie alone. By previous association, they had joined a “Fraternal Association.” Some were IOOF members, others were Masons or Masonic Lodge members.
The “religious fellowship,” they brought to the Mining Camp, was also their “trust and comrade” or “Brotherhood” in their fellow mine workers. Their connection was an “unspoken trust.” The Hoisting work was dangerous, and the blasting was even more dangerous and deadly.
The “Labor contracts” made the ”risks and benefits,” an understood —“Agreement of Working Conditions and Safety Measures.”
Without any law-enforcement - the BODIE MINERS’ UNION set the “Social Rules” in Bodie. The “Social Rules” were “religious and unspoken” and the standard of conduct within the Mining Fellowship.
Labor Safety- “unspoken trust”
“unspoken trust in the miners had in the Collective”- Working safety in the Bodie mines.
By 1877, with 190 members the BODIE MINERS’ UNION was organized.
(The BODIE MINERS’ UNION Constitution was written and is very close in similarity to the COMSTOCK MINERS’ UNION .)
To write a “Constitution/By-Laws” for their “Working Safety” was the the “unspoken trust the miners had in the collective.”
Paying Dues and Membership held their “labor safety to a standard for all the workers.”
The miners’ were there to work. Collectively, they also knew the gold coming out of the mines was not paying their wages.
Mine accidents, fires, explosions in Bodie, took the lives of many miners. They were buried in Bodie Miners’ Union Cemetery. Their funerals and graves paid for from their dues of the BODIE MINERS’ UNION.
The miners’ wages were being paid by the “ Financier/ or Stock Holders investors” in the different and individual Mining enterprises. (The gold-bearing ore coming out of the Bodie mines was not paying their wages.)
When the Mines were “not producing enough ore,” and the resulting “Bullion” from the Stamp Mills going to the Mint.
The Stock-holders, or the Financial- backers, who were “staking the venture, or was the money source of “working capital” for paying the miners’ wages”— were going to pull-out and sell their Mining Stocks.
When the “stock price went to zero”- and the “labor was not being paid”- the mining in Bodie ceased operation.
The membership of the BODIE MINERS’ UNION, because of its “Collective Unity,” had their “Labor safety and Conditions,” also abandoned Bodie.
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.