Bodie State Historic Park — The Bodie Curse
Bodie, California, United States
Ghost town · local-legend
The Story
Bodie’s abandoned storefronts carry a curious curse: people who take even a small relic are said to be haunted by misfortune until they return it.
The Hauntings
Park staff receive letters from visitors who believe an object taken from the ghost town brought them a run of bad luck. KQED recorded their apologies and the return of stones, glass and other pieces of the historic settlement. The tradition has a surprisingly ordinary origin: a park interpreter traced the curse story to a ranger’s attempt to discourage artifact theft. That does not diminish its place in local folklore. The returned objects and letters have become part of Bodie’s afterlife, while the town’s surviving streets preserve the older boomtown.
The History
Bodie grew as a nineteenth-century California mining settlement and is preserved by California State Parks in a condition often called arrested decay.
A sense of place.
Visitor Experiences
Have you experienced something here?
This future chapter will bring together stories from the PHASM community. An unexpected encounter, a lingering feeling, or a quiet visit—your experience will be welcome.
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Sources & further reading.
Plan Your Visit
Visitors can walk the marked historic streets during California State Parks’ advertised hours. The harsh winters can restrict access; check the current road advisory. Do not remove stones or artifacts or enter closed buildings. Ordinary admission is not after-hours access.