In its state of arrested decay, the town of Bodie in California takes us back in time for a glimpse of a real Wild West town. Gold was discovered in the area in 1859, and a mill established by 1861. The town started with about 20 miners and grew to an estimated population of more than 8,000 people by 1880, making it at the time one of the most highly populated towns in California.

Although only a handful of rangers live here now, Bodie is alive with the memories and stories of its townspeople and the lives they led. Behind the dust, shadows, and loneliness of the place, imagination fills the gap. Sometimes, the town appears to be frozen in time, the people from its boom and bust heyday strangely absent. At other times, one can't help but make comparisons with the present day and wonder at how much -- or how little -- things have changed.

I just posted a set of images from Bodie, I hope they give you an insight into this historic and remarkable place, both indoors and out, a perspective beyond the ordinary tourist view or a too-brief peek through the windows.

They are part of a portfolio to be exhibited at ModernBook Gallery, for a show called "Foto Nova 19: An Exhibit by Bay Area Photographers". The result of a Stanford Continuing Studies' class to prepare students for an exhibit.

More information here: [link]