This large two story wooden building with the belfry on top, moved to this location in 1879, was not the first school in Bodie. The first was most likely the one opened in March of 1878 on Main Street that was taught by Belle Moore, the wife of Ben Butler who owned a saloon also on Main Street.
Then there was one located about two blocks higher up on Green Street. It is said that it was burned down by a small boy who had gotten in trouble, and was sent home. He went behind the Old Sawdust Corner saloon and playing with matches and began setting fire to the dry brush for fun. It spread to the building and burnt it down and 70% of the town.
Bodie School House - August 25, 1962
Video inside Bodie School House - includes second floor
"Bodie Bill" - age 2 1/2 - who supposedly started the 1932 fire
Photo by Burton Frasher - Pamona Public Library Collection
This newer school, which is one of the better looking buildings in town, was originally the Bon Ton Lodging House that had been run in 1879 by Mrs. C.A. Ratjohn. Some of the early teachers were a Mr. Cook and a Mr. McCarty. At its peak enrollment there were three classes - one on the ground floor, one in an addition at the back and one for the older students on the second floor.
Although there were students as old as 16 or 17, there was never a "high school". The school reached its highest enrollment of 615 students. It closed its doors for the last time in 1943.
A view from inside the School House, gives you the feeling that the children are just out at play during a break. The town was abandoned so abruptly, that thousands and thousands of artifacts were simply left behind because they were too heavy, or too much to haul from one place to another.
This is interesting reading about Bodie and the School House. Note that various accounts of the School House vary in some details.
Inside Bodie School House 2015 - 
