California Days Celebrates Calico’s Mining Heritage
Calico California Days showcased the spirit of a bygone era, drawing visitors to the historic Calico Ghost Town in San Bernardino County, a once-thriving mining hub that played a significant role in silver extraction.
The weekend event transported attendees back to the 1850s, featuring classic activities such as pony rides, gunslinger shows, demonstrations of cloth spinning, a Wild West train robbery reenactment, and even a bit of mock gold mining.
For those feeling competitive, there were contests for the best beards and mustaches, with some impressive facial hair on display, as well as a horseshoe tossing competition.
This small ghost town was a center of silver mining and saw its population grow when settlers arrived in 1881. However, when silver became less valuable in the 1890s, the town was abandoned as miners left with their tools.
Yet, Calico is more than just a relic of the past. In the 1950s, Walter Knott, the founder of Knott’s Berry Farm, restored it using historical photographs, and it eventually became a living history park under San Bernardino County’s care.
Interestingly, modern mining companies are now eyeing the Calico area again, hinting that another silver boom might be on the horizon. Three companies took part in sponsoring the festival, reflecting their commitment to this area.
Mitsubishi Cement Corporation, Apollo Silver, and Equinox Gold Castle Mountain Mine played pivotal roles during California Days. The local economy’s challenges aren’t just remnants of history; they’re still relevant today.
Apollo’s project in Calico highlights the area’s past production of about 180 million ounces of silver, a figure that pales in comparison to what was originally extracted. They contributed $5,000 to the event to underline their involvement.
Equinox Gold is expanding its Castle Mountain mine and also supported the festival with a $2,500 donation. Mitsubishi Cement Corporation matched that amount as well.
The San Bernardino region spans over 20,000 square miles and is rich in various minerals, including sand, gravel, gypsum, salt, and iron. Presently, around 90 mines are operational, including the Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine, known as one of the richest rare earth elements deposits worldwide and the only large-scale site of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.
