Ghost Towns of Northern California (Pictorial Discovery Guide)

"Ghost Towns of Northern California" is comprehensive, introducing readers to more than 50 towns and sites--from out-of-the-way Campo Seco, New Idria, and Bennettville to popular sites such as Coloma, Columbia, and Bodie--capturing the spirit of the wild west by combining engaging, lively text with captivating current and historical photos.

Besides covering the Gold Rush of 1849 and the later strikes that led to the rise of these mining camps and ghost towns, Varney also visits ghost forts, two Chinese fishing villages, and the famous "ghost prison" of Alcratraz. All of this fascinating information is accented by up-to-date travel information, including recommendations for tours and museums, maps, directions, mileage, and road conditions, making it easy for readers to ensure a safe, exciting trip.

Also Recommended: "Backroads of Northern California," "Ghost Towns of Colorado."

Pictorial Discovery Guides from Voyageur Press provide focused coverage of popular destinations, landmarks, and heritage sites. Pictorial Discovery Guides offer an appealing combination of expert yet down-to-earth text and memorable color photography.

For my 49th birthday, my father and wife arranged for me to have a 49er vacation that included attending a San Francisco 49er football game and then heading off into the gold country to revisit the sites where the great gold rush first began.

From knowing a lot about California history, I knew of many towns and sites that I wanted to see. But along the way, I was intrigued by signs and notes about many sites that I had never heard about before. I wished that I had had along a source as fine as Ghost Towns of Northern California.

Although his book will seem like a coffee table book to some, I found it to be an essential exploration guide. More than 50 towns and sites are described and pictured. Mr. Varney does a fine job of giving you the local history (which often includes how much gold was mined locally and how it was mined) while the photographs give you a sense of what there is to see. You also get maps that can easily be used to find each of these locations. Most are concentrated in the gold areas (such as near the Oregon border, near route 49, and in the high Sierras), but others have different backgrounds and locations such as Alcatraz and China Camp in the San Francisco Bay area.

The author defines a "ghost town" as being a town that has had a large slide in its permanent population, even if it is still populated. So few of these "ghost towns" are uninhabited like Calico was when I was a youngster.

I double checked the accuracy of the information by comparing my experiences on my 49er vacation to what the book says, and the information and views tallied perfectly. Nice job!

The photographs are more realistic than artistic. That is not to say that they are not beautiful in many cases, but they give you a realistic view of what you will see rather than a "sunset at Sedona" feeling.

You probably won't want to visit all of these ghost towns, but the book will help you decide when and where you will want to visit. I strongly urge you to decide to visit the sites that interest you and to use this valuable guide to help you plan and follow through on your plans.

I thought the book is an exceptional value. I would have gladly paid more than twice the asking price for this great resource!

After you finish enjoying the photographs and text, spend some time rereading Mark Twain's stories about the gold camps. It will help you get in the mood for planning a wonderful trip!


Can't wait!   March 6, 2002
Timothy D. Tyler (Detroit, MI United States)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Bought the book in anticipation of being out in that area soon, and after reading the great historical info and seeing the beautiful photos, I can't wait to get out there and see some of the places for myself!

I only wish the maps had been a little more detailed, and that the author could have provided coordinates of the sites from a GPS, to make it easier to get to the locations.