Yermo, California -
Calico Ghost Town

Bring cash for all the fun activities, especially the Mystery Shack.....except those susceptible to vertigo.

Educational, historical, live gun shows, mines, train and sarsaparilla! Hiking shoes are better, as there is a lot of hiking either in town or if you want to camp out. They also have an on-site RV camp and cabins for rent. Extremely dog-friendly too!

Tuesday, July 24, 2001,an early morning blaze destroyed five buildings and a popcorn wagon at Calico Ghost Town, north of Barstow, CA. One of the buildings that burned included its famous mystery spot, the Mystery Shack. Creator Walter Knotts, founder of Knotts' Berry Farm, built his 1950s version of the 1880s mining camp from old pictures of the town.

It had been more than 100 years since the last fire leveled the wood and canvas camp. When Knox re-built Calico, every third or fourth building was adobe which acted as a fire wall. Those adobe walls and early detection are credited with saving the rest of the tourist attraction, which has now re-opened. [R. J., 08/01/2001]

[RA: Hardrock John from the Calico Ghost Town also contacted us with the news. His US mystery spots book burned up in the fire, so he's trying to find a new one. He may also have to reconstruct the "speech" for new employees.]