The Miners’ Union Hall, which is now the Park Museum, was completed on June 28, 1878, a year after the creation of the town’s miners’ union. It is a reminder of the ghost town’s rich history of gold mining. The BODIE MINERS’ UNION “Brotherhood of workers” established Bodie as a “Union mining Town”. When the town was bustling with activity, the hall served as a meeting place for the union members and local festivals. Catholic & Methodist services were held before Bodie’s two churches were built in the 1880’s.
In the mid 1940s, Ella Cain is credited for collecting and displaying artifacts. Its use continues today as the Bodie Museum housing everything from documents, artifacts, and photographs, to mining equipment used by the town’s miners back in the day. A little bookstore and souvenir shop at the museum offer tourist information, tickets, and fascinating merchandise.
What the Miners Union Hall looked like before Ella Cain started the Bodie Museum - Bodie Foundation Collection
Inside the Miners' Union Hall which now serves as the visitor center - Note two hearses and stage curtain - Photo by Loren Webster
Miner's Union Hall as Museum - video by P. Sanchez
