Bodie State Historic Park, California, United States Oct. 24, 2024

In the ghostly silence of Bodie in California, United States, it feels like time stands still. This once-booming gold rush town was established in 1860. Bodie was named after W.S. Bodey, a prospector who discovered gold but tragically died in a blizzard before seeing the town"s rise. When large deposits of gold were found there, it grew to nearly 10,000 residents, with saloons, dance halls and breweries lining its streets. But as the gold ran dry, so did the town"s fortunes. The mines closed, the population dwindled and by 1915, the place was abandoned. Bodie"s streets are now empty, its wooden buildings frozen in decay.

© Julien McRoberts/Tetra Images, LLC/Alamy Stock Photo

palette

Today in History

Lighting the world
Oct. 24, 2023Füzér Castle in the Zemplén Mountains, Hungary
Oct. 24, 2025Night view of the RMS Queen Mary, Long Beach, California, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jul. 12, 2024Mount Rainier National Park
An experiment in sustainability
Angry bird, doting dad
May 5, 2024Kalaloch Tree of Life, Olympic National Park, Washington, US
Is anybody home?
Apr. 11, 2025Tulips, Netherlands
Sep. 17, 2025A young bull moose, Denali National Park, Alaska, United States
Dec. 26, 2024Boxing Day
Oct. 21, 2024Cypress trees in George L. Smith State Park, Georgia, United States
Protecting the gentle giants
May 10, 2024Canadian Tulip Festival
Jan. 14, 2024Whooper swans
A book lover’s paradise
This magical beach is worth the hike
Oct. 29, 2024Great horned owl
Nov. 3, 2025World Jellyfish Day
Jun. 19, 2025Vila Franca Islet, São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
Don’t look down!
Bright blue lakes and rugged mountains
Today, a nation was born
Jun. 23, 2025Elbe river in Dresden, Saxony, Germany
Jul. 28, 2025World Nature Conservation Day
An ugly duckling no more
Oct. 18, 2024Jasper Dark Sky Festival, Alberta
Dec. 6, 2025Everglades National Park, Florida, United States
Sep. 20, 2023Aqueduct, Arkadia Park, Poland
What are these colourful insects?
Apr. 3, 2024Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Turtle-y nice day for a swim
Oct. 18, 2025International Archaeology Day