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Inside the eerie ghost town where stolen souvenirs 'curse' unfortunate tourists

The California ghost town of Bodie was once a popular spot in America's iconic Wild West, although today it is utterly deserted and associated with a terrifying curse

[This was once a popular town ]

This was once a popular town (Image: Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Sitting high in Californias stunning Sierra Nevada mountains, the town of Bodie was once one a jewel in America's iconic Wild West.

Thousands of prospectors flocked there in search of gold, and in its peak the then wealthy town boasted a mile-long high street that bustled with an impressive range of saloons, hotels and gambling halls. But today, it is very different.

Bodie is a ghost town, with deserted streets rusting cars and homes filled with belongings of former residents, all while visitors are warned of the town's infamous curse. Here, we take a look at what caused such a remarkable decline.

[Car in bodie ]

Would you want to visit Bodie? (Image: Getty Images)

Bodies story began in 1859 when prospectors, including William S. Bodey, discovered a huge amount gold near the Nevada border.

Sadly, he would never end up seeing the town that would bear his name as he died in a blizzard while returning from a supply trip that November. And to add insult to injury, a misspelt sign meant the wrong version of his surname would be used forever more.

Bodie remained a small mining camp until 1876, when the Standard Company uncovered another even bigger deposit of gold-bearing ore.

[Bodie is in a state of 'managed decline']

Bodie is in a state of 'managed decline'(Image: Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Prospectors began flooding in and, by 1879, the population had reached somewhere between 7,000 and 10,000, with around 2,000 buildings.

At its peak, as many as 65 saloons lined the infamous 'Main Street', on which murders, gunfights, drunken brawls and stagecoach robberies were said to be common.

However, from the 1880s, miners left for richer opportunities elsewhere, while fires, harsh winters and falling profits hastened Bodies decline, as well as the town's notoriousness for violence and crime.

[Bodie is a ghost town ]

Do you believe in the 'Bodie curse'? (Image: Getty Images)

To make matters worse, a major blaze destroyed much of Bodie's business district in 1932, while the last mine closed in 1942 after the US government ordered non-essential gold mines to shut during the Second World War.

Over the years, the town has also become shrowded in mystery, with countless tales of hauntings and ghostly encounters.

One local legend claims residents sheltering inside Bodies wooden Methodist church saw Bodeys ghost walking through the flames. His spirit supposedly warned: Do not touch what is mine.

[Bodie used to be a flourishing town ]

Bodie used to be a flourishing town (Image: Getty Images)

Bodie would end up becoming a state historic park in 1962 and is now preserved in arrested decay, meaning its remaining buildings are protected but not restored.

Inside, tables remain covered with dusty plates, shelves hold abandoned goods and furniture sits where former residents supposedly left it.

According to the so-called 'Bodie Curse', anyone who removes an object will experience terrible misfortune until it is returned.

[You can still visit the town today]

You can still visit the town today(Image: Getty Images)

Park staff have received stolen rocks, bottles and nails accompanied by apologetic letters blaming them for illnesses, lost jobs and car crashes.

One visitor reportedly wrote: You can have these godforsaken rocks back. Ive never had so much rotten luck in my life.

However, a park interpreter said the curse was apparently promoted by a ranger to discourage theft, with one visitor was even said to have removed an entire piano.

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