Arrested Decay

Bodie, California was the place to be during the gold rush of the 1800’s. At its height, nearly 10,000 people called this hunk of dirt home. Main Street was poppin’ with nearly 800 buildings and over a mile long in its prime. Accompanying the success, were countless saloons, brothels, gambling halls, and opium dens. Bodie was more widely known for its lawlessness than for its riches. Violence and lawlessness were almost a daily occurrence. Reverend F.M. Warrington described Bodie in 1881 as “a sea of sin, lashed by the tempests of lust and passion.”

Within only a few short years of striking gold in the hills surrounding Bodie, the town’s success quickly began to fade. In 1892, a disastrous fire extinguished any real chance for Bodie to sustain a thriving society. By 1910, less than 200 hundred people clung on to the hopes and dreams the gold promised.

I had the chance to visit Bodie which is to see what could have been for myself. Now run by California State Parks, hundreds of buildings still stand, most with original curtains and belongings of those who wanted to leave this place in the rearview. Walking through the town, I came across this bike. It’s a perfect representation of what Bodie came to be. Once vibrant and full of life, has turned been preserved from the world – forever in a state of arrested decay.

We currently offer three different sizes:

• 4″ x 6″
• 5″ x 7″
• 8″ x 10″

Along with the three size options we offer a framed option as well. Each frame is a classic black wooden frame that looks incredible with these black & white photos.

**Please Note: Frames pictured are merely representations of what this photograph could look like in your home or business. If you purchase a framed print you will get one of similar style – not these exact frames.**

Please select the size & framing option below: