Calico (ghost town)

Calico Ghost Town is a ghost town in the Mojave Desert in southern California ( USA ). Coming from Los Angeles via Interstate 15 , you will see CALICO in the mountains on the left. The city was founded in 1881 in the course of silver mining . At its best, Calico lived around 1,200 people and there were over 500 mines .

Towards the end of the 19th century, the price of silver plummeted . The mines were no longer economical and the city was abandoned as a result. On July 24, 2001, part of the buildings burned down at night, probably after a short circuit in one of the buildings. Since every fifth building had to be built from clay as fire protection in the 19th century, this fire could not have devastating effects.

Some buildings from that time have been preserved and can now be viewed together with replicas. It is also possible to visit mines or experience “ Wild West shows”. There is also a campsite below the ghost town, the use of which entitles you to enter the museum. Due to the restoration, the replicas and the shops almost without exception, Calico has more of the character of an open-air museum than an original settlement.