Inside 'real-life ghost town' frozen in time with items left exactly where they were

There’s an eerie yet captivating “ghost town” that seems to have been “frozen in time” in California, USA.

The Golden State is a dream tourist destination thanks to its expansive beaches, vast deserts and scenic backdrops. It’s also home to Hollywood and countless sets and studios, making it a top bucket-list place for many film buffs. But there’s plenty more to see away from the bright lights of La La Land - California is also home to Bodie, an abandoned town known for its many “ghost sightings”.

Based in the Bodie Hills, east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County, the little town was once a thriving hotspot thanks to the discovery of profitable gold. In 1876, Bodie experienced a boom and soon became home to around 8,000 people, as well as 2,000 buildings and structures.

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People flocked to the area, hoping to benefit from the lucrative gold, which saw it develop like other well established towns. At its peak, Bodie boasted a bank, a railroad, volunteer fire companies, a miners' and mechanics' union, as well as a range of daily newspapers, a cemetery and a jail.

It also offered residents an array of bars and saloons, and reportedly became known for a string of murders, shootouts, barroom brawls, and stagecoach holdups over the years.

Mere decades later though, when the gold started to dry up, the little town became a shadow of its former self. Miners left to seek gold elsewhere, which saw the area become much more family-orientated.

Though its mines were still relatively profitable, it didn’t stop the decline. And by 1915, Bodie was commonly referred to as a “ghost town”, with its businesses and establishments abandoned. Some homes were left with furniture and personal belongings, giving insight into the way residents truly lived juxtaposed with an element of mystery and uneasy intrigue.

Now, it’s recognised as an authentic Wild West ghost town, with the US Department of the Interior declaring the designated Bodie Historic District as a National Historic Landmark.

It’s also registered as a California Historical Landmark, gaining its official establishment as Bodie State Historic Park in 1962. The ghost town receives around 200,000 visitors each year, fascinating people with its history, empty buildings, and reports of ghost sightings.

People have taken to TripAdvisor to share their experiences of visiting the eery town. One wrote: "This is a fascinating glimpse into the Gold Rush of 140 years ago. As you approach the Bodie, the road just disappears and you are on a gravel / rock track, but no problem for the car. The town itself is very well preserved and extremely photogenic - point the camera in any direction and it will be a great photo!

"Top tip – get the $3 guide to the town – it gives you a walking tour and insights into many of the buildings. A fascinating afternoon and very well worth visit. The $8 fee to get in is a bargain!!"

Another said: "This is a truly amazing ghost town and well worth the drive. Plan to spend most of the day here as there is so much to see. I like how authentic the place is and how it is rustic and true to form. This is not a reconstructed town! This is a must see if you love history and ghost towns."

And a third added: "Wow! This was much bigger and more than I expected. While we spent some time here it was near the end of the day and we ran out of time. Would have like to have had more to walk and see everything.

"It's amazing what is left here and to think at one time this was a booming town. We watched the short film about the area. The drive to get here was quite fun, especially the last 3 miles where the pavement runs out! Make sure you allow plenty of time and if you're a wild west buff, this place is for you!"