Bodie, California, is a National Historic Landmark located in Mono County, in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range in eastern California. Once a gold mining town in the late 1800’s with a population topping 10,000, it is now a preserved ghost town open to visitors during the day. The spirit of a cowboy mining town lingers as people stroll through the town, wandering in an out of structures, many containing original décor. A gift shop-slash-museum, located near the center of town, offers artifacts and an intimate glimpse into pioneer life.

Visit https://www.bodie.com to learn more about this state park that is preserved in a time of “arrested decay.”

Ronda Churchill is a freelance photojournalist located in Southern Nevada. You can follow her on Instagram @rondachurchill