Thu, 07 May 2026 01:09:30 +0000

Geisterstadt Calico: The Ghost Town That Captivates History Enthusiasts Tucked high in the rugged hills of the Mojave Desert, Geisterstadt Calico stands as a hauntingly beautiful testament to the rise and fall of California’s mining boom. Known today as a geisterstadt—German for “ghost city”—Calico offers visitors more than dusty ruins; it delivers a vivid journey into the past, blending history, mystery, and breathtaking desert scenery. ### What is Geisterstadt Calico? Geisterstadt Calico, meaning Ghost Town Calico, is a well-preserved abandoned mining community located about 60 miles southwest of Barstow, California. Once a bustling silver and lead mining hub in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Calico was abandoned in the 1960s after copper deposits were exhausted. What remained was swept by wind and time, leaving behind facades, relics, and stories frozen in history.