GHOSTS AND LEGENDS OF CALICO

By Brian Clune with Bob Davis, Published by The History Press.

Book review by Craig MacDonald

This is a comprehensive history of Calico—California's Official Silver Rush Ghost Town. It features both historic & new photos of the fascinating mining camp (off Interstate 15, three miles from Barstow), which endeared itself to Walter Knott, who, as a youth, worked there as a carpenter.

Knott, who created Knott's Berry Farm, would purchase what was left of the old town in 1951. Since many of the structures had been destroyed by fire or rotted away in the hot desert sun, Knott & his talented team rebuilt some of the buildings and developed a few new ones—turning Calico into a tourist attraction.

The Maggie Mine's ore cart tracks gave him "the inspiration for the Mine Train Ride" at his Buena Park theme park. In 1966, Walter and his wife, Cordelia (known for her famous Chicken Dinner Restaurant, which caused the creation of the Calico Ghost Town for the benefit of those waiting to eat), gifted Calico to the County of San Bernardino as a Regional Park.

This book gives an in-depth look at not only the diggings history but the ghosts who were left behind, including ones hanging around some of the newer buildings. It will reveal thought-provoking, unexplainable happenings, strange sights, sounds & scents as well as other bizarre things. You really need to read the entire book to fully understand the mysterious phenomenon found in Calico.

The schoolhouse is reportedly the most-haunted building in town. There are reports of a former schoolteacher telling tourists about her classes and she even posed for photos. Yet, when visitors return home, they say her image did not appear in the pictures. Furthermore, the park does not have anyone playing the role of the schoolmarm!

Reenactors put on gunfights & other acts. Fan favorite character "Tumbleweed Harris" served as marshal. When he died, "Tumbleweed" was buried in the Calico Cemetery, along with other townsfolk as well as two tomcats named "Tom Kate" & "Tom Kate Jr."

Calico also was the home of Dorsey, a stray dog befriended by the postmaster. The canine was actually taught to carry mail on its own to certain places & became a hero in movies & a hit Kenny Roger's song.

One of the camp's most-appreciated folks was Dr. Albert Rhea, who was a much-needed town physician. He also owned a drugstore, served as the Wells Fargo agent, coroner, land & water company owner & other things.

Water was very scarce in the desert. Horse-drawn wagons with 200-pound tanks had to be brought in to provide the precious liquid. Building materials also were scarce and homes often were built into hillsides. Because of frequent fires, every third building in town would be made of earth adobe.

Historians say the Mojave Desert community either got its name from the variety of colors in its hills or because "
the hills were as purty as a gal's Calico skirt."

Many laborers in the Silver King and other mines believed in Tommy Knockers (little gnomes), who played tricks on miners but also warned them of impending disasters. When they heard tapping in shafts, workers knew the gnomes were being warned of a collapse and the men rushed out of the mine.

The real Silver Mining Boom was in the 1880s. In 1885, there were 75 businesses in town, including hotels, a blacksmith shop, newspaper (Calico Print) & whorehouses.

When silver prices started falling, borax was discovered in the hills. Miners worked for the Pacific Coast Borax Company, which became known for its famous "Twenty Mule Team Brand." The product was used in toothpaste, cold cream, enamel, cookware and cleaning products. Eventually, a banking crisis ended borax mining in Calico.

With the town in decline, some people literally had their buildings moved to other places, such as Barstow, Daggett & Yermo, in the late 1890s.

Even when the once promising diggings started turning ghost, one popular shopkeeper, Lucy Lane, decided to stay. In fact, the woman who first came there in 1885, lived in Calico longer than anyone else. She became its spirit and graciously & proudly talked to visitors about its glorious past. She died in 1967and most think her ghost is still looking after the town she adored.
(Be sure and checkout Calico & San Bernardino County Regional Parks on the Internet to find out about special events.)