Dirt Road Diary: Calico Ghost Town

After off-roading in the Calico Mountains we headed over to Calico Ghost Town. Since Phi is studying the mining era of California history we knew this would be a great place to experience a mining town. 

Calico, Ca was a real life mining town in the late 1800's, At its peak there were over 80 houses and mines were producing $10 million in silver. After the mines were tapped out, the town was all but abandoned. Mr. Knotts, of Knotts Berry Farm fame, bought the town and took most of the original buildings to Knotts Berry Farm. What was left at Calico were a few buildings and he built replicas around them. Today it is a cute little touristy place with some great California history.

The cost to enter is $8.00 per adults and $5.00 per kid. I thought the attractions were worth the price. There were other little things the kids could do like pan for gold. This cost $1.50 for Phi and Louie was free and the got to keep the "gold" they panned.

We took the little train tour ($6.00 total for me and the girls). They guys sat and waited for us.

The tour gave us a lot of facts about the town and throughout there were lots of original items from the mining days. 

We had a really great time and stayed until the saloon doors were closing.