Aurora Nevada – Mineral County Ghost Town

Aurora, Nevada, was a prominent mining boomtown in Mineral County, founded in 1860 during the early silver and gold rushes of the American West. Known for its rich mineral deposits and vibrant community, Aurora briefly flourished as one of Nevada’s most significant early settlements, reaching a peak population of around 5,000 by 1863. However, its prosperity was short-lived, and by the late 19th century, it had become a ghost town. This report examines Aurora’s origins, economic and social development, decline, and historical legacy, drawing on primary sources, historical accounts, and archaeological evidence.

Aurora, CA photograph from the 1930's
Aurora, CA photograph from the 1930’s

Origins and Early Development (1860–1861)

Aurora was established in September 1860 following the discovery of gold and silver in the Esmeralda Mining District by prospectors James M. Braley, William B. Hurd, and James Corey. The trio staked claims in what became known as Esmeralda Gulch, sparking a rush to the area. The town was named “Aurora” after the Roman goddess of dawn, reflecting the optimism of its founders. Its location, straddling the border of Nevada and California (then part of Utah Territory), led to jurisdictional disputes until a survey in 1863 confirmed Aurora’s placement in Nevada.

By 1861, Aurora had grown rapidly, with an estimated population of 1,400. The town’s early development was marked by the establishment of a post office, general stores, saloons, and rudimentary housing. The rich ore deposits, particularly silver, attracted miners, speculators, and entrepreneurs. Early mining operations were labor-intensive, but the high-grade ore justified the effort, laying the foundation for Aurora’s brief prominence.

Peak Prosperity (1862–1864)

Aurora reached its zenith between 1862 and 1864, driven by the productivity of its mines and its role as a regional hub. By 1863, the town’s population swelled to approximately 5,000, with some estimates as high as 6,000. The Esmeralda Mining District boasted over 1,000 mining claims, with major mines like the Real Del Monte, the Wide West, and the Antelope producing significant quantities of silver and gold. Between 1860 and 1869, Aurora’s mines yielded an estimated $27 million in ore (equivalent to over $500 million in 2025 dollars), making it one of Nevada’s most lucrative mining centers at the time.

The town’s infrastructure reflected its prosperity:

  • Civic Institutions: Aurora served as the county seat of Esmeralda County from 1861 to 1863, with a courthouse, jail, and other government buildings. It later became part of Mono County, California, before being reassigned to Mineral County, Nevada.
  • Business and Media: The town supported two newspapers, the Esmeralda Star and the Aurora Times, as well as numerous businesses, including 20 general stores, 65 saloons, and several hotels. A Wells Fargo office facilitated financial transactions.
  • Social Life: Aurora was known for its lively social scene, with theaters, dance halls, and fraternal organizations. The town’s diverse population included miners, merchants, and professionals from across the United States and abroad.
  • Infrastructure: A brick schoolhouse, churches, and a cemetery were established, alongside mills for processing ore. The town’s main street, lined with adobe and wooden buildings, bustled with activity.

Aurora’s prominence was further enhanced by its association with notable figures, including a young Samuel Clemens (later Mark Twain), who briefly mined and wrote for the Esmeralda Star in 1862. His accounts in Roughing It provide a vivid, albeit humorous, glimpse into Aurora’s frontier life.

Aurora, Nevada as it existed in the 1800s
Aurora, Nevada as it existed in the 1800s

Decline and Abandonment (1865–1900)

Aurora’s decline began in the mid-1860s as the richest ore veins were depleted. By 1864, many mines were no longer profitable, and the population began to dwindle. The closure of major mills, such as the one relocated to Columbus, Nevada, in 1866, further eroded the town’s economic base. By 1869, the population had dropped to around 500, and the post office closed in 1897, signaling Aurora’s near abandonment.

Several factors contributed to Aurora’s rapid decline:

  • Resource Depletion: The high-grade ore that fueled Aurora’s boom was exhausted, and lower-grade deposits were uneconomical to mine with existing technology.
  • Economic Shifts: The rise of other mining towns, such as Virginia City and Tonopah, drew investment and labor away from Aurora.
  • Jurisdictional Confusion: The town’s ambiguous status between Nevada and California created legal and administrative challenges, discouraging long-term investment.
  • Natural Challenges: Aurora’s remote location and harsh climate, with limited water and arable land, made sustained habitation difficult.

By the 1880s, Aurora was largely deserted, though sporadic mining attempts persisted. A brief revival in the early 20th century, spurred by new milling technologies, failed to restore the town’s former glory. The final blow came in the 1940s when the last standing structures, including brick buildings, were dismantled for materials to support World War II efforts.

Aurora after 1910, when the town was first connected to electrical power.
Aurora after 1910, when the town was first connected to electrical power.

Archaeological and Historical Significance

Today, Aurora is a ghost town with minimal visible remains. Archaeological surveys have identified foundations, mine tailings, and scattered artifacts, such as bottles and tools, which provide insight into the town’s layout and daily life. The site, located approximately 22 miles southwest of Hawthorne, Nevada, is accessible via rough roads but is largely unmarked, with no official historical marker. The surrounding Esmeralda Mining District remains of interest to historians and geologists for its role in Nevada’s early mining history.

Historical records, including newspapers, mining reports, and personal accounts, are preserved in institutions like the Nevada State Archives and the Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley. Works such as Stanley W. Paher’s Nevada Ghost Towns & Mining Camps and Robert E. Stewart’s Aurora: Nevada’s Ghost City of the Dawn offer detailed accounts of Aurora’s rise and fall.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens September 1-2, 1867, Pera, Constantinople
Samuel Langhorne Clemens September 1-2, 1867, Pera, Constantinople

Legacy

Aurora, Nevada, encapsulates the fleeting nature of mining boomtowns in the American West. Its rapid growth and equally swift decline highlight the challenges of resource-dependent economies in the 19th century. The town’s contributions to Nevada’s early mining industry, its role in shaping regional development, and its association with figures like Mark Twain ensure its place in historical narratives. Aurora’s story serves as a case study in the boom-and-bust cycles that defined the frontier era, offering lessons on resilience, adaptation, and the impermanence of prosperity.

Today there is not much standing at Aurora
Today there is not much standing at Aurora

In 1863 Aurora is pictured as a cluster of huts made of stone, sheltered by canvas or tin roofs, with streets of wooden buildings , and many substantial brick structures near the center of town, and uncountable tents and dugouts in the surrounding hils. About 5,000 persons lived in these makeshift shelters and in the 700 houses, and enjoyed the services provided by the hotels , churches, 20 stores, 22 saloons and 16 quartz mills .

National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form – July 30, 1974

Conclusion

From its founding in 1860 to its peak in the early 1860s and eventual abandonment, Aurora, Nevada, was a microcosm of the American West’s mining frontier. Its rich mines and vibrant community briefly made it a cornerstone of Nevada’s early history, but its decline underscores the volatility of resource-driven settlements. Though little remains of Aurora today, its legacy endures through historical scholarship, archaeological remnants, and its enduring place in Nevada’s cultural heritage.

Remains of Aurora bricks found deep in the undergrowth.
Remains of Aurora bricks found deep in the undergrowth.

Aurora Town Summary

NameAurora
LocationMineral County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude38.2871421, -118.9006963
GNIS858760
Elevation7400 feet
Post Office – 1919
NewpapersEsmeralda Star May 17, July 5, Sept 20, 1862; Nov 18, Dec 30, 1863
Aurora Daily Times Nov 27, 28, 30, Dec 1, 9, 11, 12, 1863; July 11, Oct 7, 1864
Esmeralda Daily Union Mar 23, 1864 – Mar 15, 1865; Nov 27, 1867 – Oct 3, 1868
Esmeralda Herald Oct 20, 1877 – July 29, 1882; Aug 18, 1883 – Apr 19, 1884
Aurora Borealis Dec 3, 1905

Aurora Trail Map

Aurora Personalities

Samuel Langhorne Clemens September 1-2, 1867, Pera, Constantinople

Samuel Langhorne Clemens – “Mark Twain”

Before he wrote American classic novels as Mark Twain, Samuel Langhorne Clemens was a miner and newpaper reporter in Mineral County, Nevada. Prior to picking…

Further Reading

Aurora, Nevada 1860-1960: Mining Camp, Frontier City, Ghost Town

This expanded Second Edition of Aurora, Nevada 1860-1960 chronicles the history of one of Nevada’s earliest and most important mining boomtowns. It is a reference-oriented…
Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps - By Stanley W. Paher

Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps

Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps - By Stanley W. Paher Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps is a wonderful book written by Stanley W.…

Resources

Chemung Mine

Located off the Masonic Road between Bridgeport, CA and the Masonic town site, are the remains of the Chemung gold mine.  The Chemung gold mine operated from from 1909 to 1938 and produced over one million dollars in gold.  In the 1920s, the Chemung mine was producing low grade and high grade ore.  The ore was processed onsite, and then shipped to near by Bodie for smelting.

The Chemung Mine located just outside of Bridgeport, CA. Photograph by James L Rathbun
The Chemung Mine located just outside of Bridgeport, CA. Photograph by James L Rathbun

Along with the increase cost of mining supplies which reduced growth, a poor gold market and the cost of hauling the ore to Bodie over the poor roads for smelting and little mine was doomed and closed its doors in 1938.

The Chemung mine history is not a mining failure, but a failure of management and litigation.  During its time of production, the mine built and tore down three mills.  During the last year of operation in 1938, 20 men worked the site and less than one year later the mine was closed.  The mine itself produced well, however endless litigation for various reasons doomed the mine.

The Chemung gold mine over looking the Bridgeport Valley.. Photograph by James L Rathbun
The Chemung gold mine over looking the Bridgeport Valley.. Photograph by James L Rathbun

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s new life was found in the mine with the efforts of Elton “Heinie” Heinemeyer.  Heinemeyer mined for years but never struck it big.  Well liked by the town of Bridgeport, CA Heinemeters well being was the source of concern for the people of Bridgeport and it is reported that he would always find time to visit and entertain those who traveled to check up on him.

Currently, the mill building structure is intact but the years of harsh weather have taken its toll.  A mild wind will cause some of the walls to shake or shudder, and the lower outer wall is leaning outward.  In June 2016, bars restricted access to the mines themselves although the mines do offer a cold breeze on a warm day to cool you down.

The Chemung mine still maintains and impressive structure. Photograph by James L Rathbun
The Chemung mine still maintains and impressive structure. Photograph by James L Rathbun

There are stories that the site is haunted by a spirit or ghost, but only on Saturday nights, which seems a bit odd to me.

The Chemung Mine working still seem ready to go. Photograph by James L Rathbun
The Chemung Mine working still seem ready to go. Photograph by James L Rathbun

On a personal note, the Chemung mine surprised me.  I have been to Aurora three times, Masonic at least three times, and Bodie… at least ten.  My last visit to Bodie was in 2013. Afterwards this last trip, I was looking in Google Earth when I “discovered” the Chemung gold mine.  How had this mine, such an impressive structure, evaded my radar for so many years?  It took me three years from that day to make my first visit to Chemung, and this place is definately on my list for a repeat visit.

Time, weather and gravity have taken its toll on the structure of the Chemung Mine.. Photograph by James L Rathbun
Time, weather and gravity have taken its toll on the structure of the Chemung Mine. Photograph by James L Rathbun

Chemung Mine Trailmap

Resources

Bodie California – Mono County Ghost Town

Bodie, California is the ghost town by which all others are judged.  Located at 8300 in the Bodie Hills above Mono Lake, Bodie is the largest and perhaps best preserved ghost town in America. Established as a ghost town and state park in 1962, the town site is now administered by the Bodie Foundation.

Currently preserved in “Arrested Decay” a condition and phrase coined by the State of California for the Bodie, the town site is preserved as it was found in 1962. This essentially maintains the structures as the were at that time, and work may be done to keep them to that standard. Some buildings get new roofs, windows sealed and foundation rebuilt to preserve the state of degradation. It is because of this forward thinking policy that the town remains in the state of decline that it does.

The Standard Mill, Bodie, CA. Photograph by James L Rathbun
The Standard Mill, Bodie, CA. Photograph by James L Rathbun

I remember my first visit to Bodie was probably in the the late 1970’s.  My father drove our old Ford truck into the town, and as I jumped out my eyes found the old Standard Mill.  The Standard Mill still dominates the valley with its grayish-blue siding, multiple smoke stakes and extreme size.  The Standard Mill is the most intact mill in California and processed over $14 million dollars in gold during its 25 years of service.

Evelyn Myers, a three year old girls grave marker located in Bodie, CA reminds us that not all mine camps were filled with men. Photograph by James L Rathbun
Evelyn Myers, a three year old girls grave marker located in Bodie, CA reminds us that not all mine camps were filled with men. Photograph by James L Rathbun

Formed in 1859, the town under went several mining booms, busts and fires.  At it’s peak in 1879, Bodie hosted 5000 – 7000 souls, 65 saloons, a “Redlight” district, a china town, four volunteer fire stations, several newspapers, churches and of coarse, a Jail.  Bodie maintain a rough reputation over the years and suffers from murders, shoot outs, stage robberies and the odd bar room brawl.

They say you were wild and woolly, Bodie

And fast on the draw as them make ’em;

That you lived at ease with the bad and the bold,

Who thought nothing of shooting a man down cold,

And defying the law to take ’em

Lillian Ninnis

By 1910 the population settled at about 700 people, mostly families, as the miners and those who service the miners moved on to more prosperous areas.  The last printed paper was in 1912, and signaled the beginning of the end for the scrappy little town.  Although labelled a ghost town in 1915, Bodie continued to linger and dwindle is size until 1940 when the Post Office closed.

The interior of a general store is virtually the way it was when the store owner left Bodie, Photograph by James L Rathbun
The interior of a general store is virtually the way it was when the store owner left Bodie, Photograph by James L Rathbun

Under threat and vandalism the state of California took over the town site, and currently hosts some 200,000 visitors per year.

Remote locations, harsh weather and rustic builds make Bodie is a popular site for photographers.

The road into Bodie is accessible to almost any vehicle, but can server as a launch point the many back roads and trails. Nearby attractions are Masonic, Chemung and Aurora who like to get off the beaten path.

A weathered wagon wheel in Bodie reminds us of a bygone era. Photograph by James L Rathbun
A weathered wagon wheel in Bodie reminds us of a bygone era. Photograph by James L Rathbun
General Store still found in Bodie, California. Photograph by James L Rathbun
General Store still found in Bodie, California. Photograph by James L Rathbun

Gold was first discovered in the Mono Lake region in 1352 and placer gold was then discovered at the future site of Bodie in July, 1859* by William S. Body. On July 10, 1860, the Bodie Mining District was organized. In August, 1859 quarts veins were also discovered in the area, but the lack of -water and the extreme difficulties of transporting supplies and equipment over the mountains and desert tended to severely restrict mining activities at Bodie for some time. From 1860 to 1877, Bodie polled only some 20 votes a year, and in 1865 the town still had only SOP 14 small frame and adobe houses.
In 1876-77, however, new quartz discoveries were made at the Bodie and Standard mines, touching off a great gold rush to Bodie in 1878. From a few shacks, a term of some 250 wooden buildings rapidly appeared in the desert and the population leaped to 10,000 or 12,000 persons, with the usual assortment of gambling dens, breweries, saloons, and the nightly shootings, stabbings and brawls. Bodie soon merited the title of “Shooters Town,” and a “Bad Man from Bodie” was then universally recognized to be a particularly unpleasant individual. In 1879, when Bodie reached its pinnacle, its main street was over a-mile long and built solidly with one and two-story frame buildings. In 1881 a 32- mile narrow gauge railroad was constructed from Mono Lake to Bodie to carry in fuel and lumber. % 1883, however, the boom was over and all but the Bodie and Standard mines closed down; these two mines finally consolidated in 1887. In 1895 Bodie had a small revival when the cyanide process of recovering gold was put in use, Mining continued intermittently up to World War II, when Bodie finally became a true ghost town.

NATIONAL SURVEY OF HISTORIC SITES AND BUILDINGS

Historic Images

Town Summary

NameBodie
LocationMono County, California
Latitude, Longitute38.2121, -119.0120
GNIS1658094
NewspaperBodie Standard 1878 – ?
Bodie Morning News
National Historic Landmark66000213

Bodie Map

Bodie Photo Gallery

Bodie Points of Interest

Bodie Railway and Lumber Company Locomotive. Photo courtesy of McDonnell sisters.

Bodie and Benton Railway

The Bodie and Benton Railway operated for about thirty eights years, supplying the town of Bodie, California. The narrow gauge railroad travelled north, from the…
The Hoover House served as housing for the Director of Operations of the Standard Mill in Bodie. Photography by James L Rathbun

The Hoover House

The Hoover House, located in Bodie, California, is a significant part of the town's rich history. Bodie itself is a well-preserved ghost town that exemplifies…
Looking up at the trestle bridge which is used to haul gold ore into the Standard Mill, Bodie, CA. Two large mortar boxes are visible in the foreground. Photograph by James L Rathbun

The Standard Mill – Bodie, CA

The Standard Mill, also known as the Standard Consolidated Mining Company Mill, was a pivotal element in the history of Bodie, California. The building is…

Bodie Townspeople

Theodore Hoover in Bodie, Calif., 1904

Theodore Jesse Hoover

Theodore Hoover in Bodie, Calif., 1904 Early Life and Education Theodore Jesse Hoover was born on January 28, 1871, in West Branch, Iowa. He was…

Waterman S Bodey

Waterman S Bodey (14 May 1814 - 9 Dec 1859 ) was a prospector whose name became immortalized in the annals of American mining history through…

Further Reading

Pathway Through Parks written by Carl S Chavez

A Pathway Through Parks

Pathway Through Parks written by Carl S Chavez "Bodie, the very sound of that name conjures up images of "The Bad Man From Bodie", a…
Bodie: 1859-1962 (Images of America) - Author Terri Lynn Geissinger

Bodie: 1859-1962 (Images of America)

Bodie: 1859-1962 (Images of America) - Author Terri Lynn Geissinger Nestled amongst the sage-covered, windswept hills of California’s Eastern Sierra is the site of one…
Bodie, Good Time and Bad - Author Nicholas Clapp

Bodie: Good Times & Bad

Bodie, Good Time and Bad - Author Nicholas Clapp Author Nicholas Clapp and photographer Will Furman portray Bodie in both vivid words and stunning photography—a…

Resources

Success Mine

The Success Mine is an gold mine site located just off Masonic Road, the between McMillan Springs and the Chemung Mine in Mono County, CA.

Success Mine, Bridgeport, CA
Success Mine, Bridgeport, CA

There is little data on this small claim.  The mine shafts eventually reached a depth of 50 feet to a mineral vein which traveled North East and dips South East and was valued at $11 / ton.  Eventually water was stuck and filled the shaft to the 25ft level.

Bridgeport. – The Success Mining Co. has exposed a 3 1/2-ft. vein of high-grade ore in its property in the Masonic district.  The find was made in a drift north from the 50-ft level.  The mining operations were purchased by Elmer S. Green and associates from John H. and C. C. Hayes of Bridgeport, in July.

Mining and Scientific Press- October 29, 1921

Although I try to always stop at such locations, sadly that was not in the cards on our last trip. The Chemung Mine was rather overwelming and the little competitor mine did not compare. There was also some hungry kids in the Jeep as well. As with any trip, I came away with more trails to follow and history to investigate.

Success Mine Trail Map

Bodie and Aurora rivalry continues to this day

Two towns located in the hills above Mono Lake maintain, the Bodie and Aurora rivalry continues even now, long past their demise.  Bodie, CA and Aurora, NV boomed with the gold rush of the 1870s and busted just years later when the gold ran out and faded into history.  Miners, merchants, and people would undoubtedly moved either direction between the two cities and with good fortune would undoubtedly talk down the previous city.  Such is human nature, but why would this rivalry continue long past the demise of both towns?

The Standard Mill, Bodie, CA. Photograph by James L Rathbun
The Standard Mill, Bodie, CA. Photograph by James L Rathbun

Bodie, CA is the crown jewel of ghost towns.  Maintained in a state of arrested decay and located just 13 miles off the 395 highway outside of Bridgeport, CA, Bodie hosts over 100,000 visitors each year.  The current site has some 100 structures, flush toilets, museum, guided tours, on-site staff, a website, Facebook presence and a gift shop.  (I own two coffee mugs and three shirts)  During a visit two Bodie, I over heard two fellow visitors joking about a StarBucks coffee located near the fire station.  Bodie, justifiably is a popular place to visit, there are many people there when you visit.

Aurora, NV Photograph by James L Rathbun
Aurora, NV Photograph by James L Rathbun

By contrast, Aurora is a forgotten intersection of two roads.  The town was raised long ago for its brick, and only two structures are not lost two the bush and those are unrecognizable monuments to the towns past.  Few visitors will reach the town site of Aurora and those who do might be disappointed in what they find.  By almost any measure there is no comparison in the quality of a visit to the two towns in modern times.  So, why would there be an active effort on the part of those affiliated with Bodie to discourage visitor from driving to Aurora? Does the Bodie and Aurora rivalry continue to this day?

On a visit in June, 2016 I walked into the museum and spoke with one of the park staff / ranger to inquire about Aurora.  I told the ranger I was planning to drive to Aurora and asked “How many miles is it to Aurora?”

The Ranger replied, “I think it is about 30 miles?”

I answered, “Well, I thought it was about 9 miles, but I don’t remember the source so I could be wrong.”  I thanked him and moved on.

Perplexed a bit, I walked around the museum and studied a few exhibits.   Once of the exhibits I saw was a hand written note / map, which noted that it was 6 miles to the Nevada border and Aurora was 10 miles past that point.  I returned to the Ranger at the front desk and told him, “Apparently, we are both wrong you have a document which states it is 16 miles to Aurora.”

He replied, “Well, it can be a rough road and I heard the bridge is out.”

Again, I thanked him and walked off towards the jeep.  Rough roads do not cause much concern, and a bridge being out is a binary concern.  We can either pass or not pass and will not know until we get there.  I loaded my family into the jeep, reset the trip odometer and sent off east towards Aurora.  We followed the road and Bodie Creek North from Bodie and soon we reached a small bridge.   As we drove over the bridge, I thought to myself, “Well so much from that bridge being out…”

As we continued down Bodie Creek there was another bridge, which was indeed out but immediately the obstacle was passable via the road to the right.    The bypass simple dropped down a few feet, crossed Bodie Creek and up the other side.  Not any issue with our Jeep JK.  We continued down the road and made a right turn to climb the hill into Aurora.  We soon reach an valley covered in sage brush with a wooden structure which appeared to be a head frame.  A moment later we reached and intersection and another concrete structure which was the remains of a building.  Surely, this must the Aurora.

Everything about the small valley was screaming Aurora.  The map told me we found Aurora.  Memories from my last visit 30 years prior told me it was Aurora.  The structural remains told me we found Aurora.  Everything told me that we found Aurora, except my trip odometer.  Since my cell phone GPS is worthless with no Internet connection, the one piece of measuring equipment told me I was 5 miles off of my destination.  After lunch we headed out again and soon found ourselves in the highlands above Mono Lake in extremely rough terrain.  We finally reached mile 16 and knew that the distance measurement found in the Bodie Museum was flat out wrong and wrong in a big way!

Remains of Aurora bricks found deep in the undergrowth. Photograph by James L Rathbun
Remains of Aurora bricks found deep in the undergrowth. Photograph by James L Rathbun

We turned around and returned to the site we believed to be Aurora.  Again we checked the maps, and everything appeared to match.  We had an intersection with another road.  We had a few limited structures.  One further investigation, we began to see flattened buildings in the over growth of sage brush.  Two structures became several.  As I walked through the thigh high sage brush, I looked down and saw bricks!  Bricks are the sure sign that we found Aurora!

Photographic landscape comparison between our trip and a historical photograph.
Photographic landscape comparison between our trip and a historical photograph.  The angles are slightly different but clearly the hillside line up.

So, how do we explain the differences in the distances.   My memory, which is fallible, was 9 miles.  The Ranger told me about 30, which I believed was way off.  The map in the museum told me 16 miles, and my odometer measured 11.5.  I reset my odometer and drove back to Bodie and duplicated my initial measurement of 11.5 miles and made a mental note of the dilemma.  Why is the distance so wrong?  I am willing the accept a slight variation in the mileage measurement of the jeep.  I have 35″ tires on the 4×4 and the gears are changed to 5.13:1.  The computer was changed to reflect these modifications.  This could explain a slight variation but not 4 miles over 16 if the program parameters are not exact or correct.

When we returned to camp that night I checked the “Bodie State Historic Park” guide purchased when I arrived at Bodie and published and revised in 2010.  On page one there is a town map with a reference to Aurora at a distance of 18 miles away!!!  Great, another number for the distance between the two towns.

When I arrived home I opened up Google Earth and check my measurement for the Bodie to Aurora Trail.  This measurement from Google Earth is 12.1 miles are more or less corroborates my measurement.  So, why would California State Parks publish an erroneous value and lengthen the distance of the Road from Bodie to Aurora?  Could the fact that California “lost” Aurora to  and its revenue to Nevada when the area was surveyed in 1863 explain this behavior?   Does the Bodie and Aurora rivalry between the two towns continue?  Could it be that the mile distances site actually describe a longer route around the mountain to the north west of Aurora.  Perhaps no one from California State Parks has checked?

I prefer to think of this is the last argument in the rivalry between two lost mining towns. An underhanded slight to history. The Bodie and Aurora rivalry continues…

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