Calico Ghost Town is an old West mining town that has been around since 1881 during the largest silver strike in California. With its 500 mines, Calico produced over $20 million in silver ore over a 12-year span. When silver lost its value in the mid-1890s, Calico lost its population. The miners packed up, loaded their mules and moved away abandoning the town that once gave them a good living. It became a “ghost town.”
Walter Knott purchased Calico in the 1950s architecturally restoring all but the five original buildings to look as they did in the 1880’s. Calico received State Historical Landmark 782 and in 2005 was proclaimed by then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to be California’s Silver Rush Ghost Town.
Today Calico is part of the San Bernardino County Regional Parks system visited by people from around the country and all over the world. The park offers visitors an opportunity to share in its rich history and enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding desert environment.
Along with its history and attractions, Calico Ghost Town has shops, and restaurants, camping, cabin and bunkhouse rentals (dogs are welcome) and outdoor recreation not available at most other park facilities.
Leashed dogs are welcome. See Calico Ghost Town’s website for fees and additional information.
CAUTION: Mines in the Calico area are extremely hazardous and must not be approached for any reason.