The town of Bodie was started by prospectors at the mouth of Bodie Creek in 1896, about a mile from this spot. There was a general store, a restaurant, a livery barn, blacksmith shop and many homes....all made of logs. The town was moved to this location when gold was discovered near here. A sawmill was also moved to this site, so nearly all the buildings were made of cut lumber. The mine changed hands several times and was owned from 1902-1911 by the Wrigley brothers of chewing gum fame. The mine was operated succesfully until 1917, but was then idle until 1934. At that time the mill machinery was replaced and the buildings were restored. Total mine production from 1903 till 1940 was $1,300,000. Today...it is a ghost town with a half a dozen building on either side of the road.