Mar/Apr 2022In the early 1890s where would one get a cake, pie, or even a loaf of bread in Bodie, California? At that time the population was mainly men living in dugouts, rooming houses or hotels who did not have the know-how or means to cook, let alone bake. Baked items would be found either in a bakery or in some one’s home. Fortunately, there were several bakeries snuggled in between saloons in Bodie.
One of them was the U.S. Bakery operated by Mrs. James Perry who also sold groceries and ran a restaurant.
On July 3, 1892, a small fire started in her bakery, but was discovered and quicky put out with buckets of water. Several people noticed a lingering smell of coal oil after the fire.
On July 26, 1892. A Chinese cook arriving for work at 2:00 a.m. discovered a fire and noticed the smell of coal oil. The alarm went out and the local volunteer firefighters arrived with a hose cart and ladder wagon. Fortunately, there was a fire hydrant nearby and someone had turned on the water at the Standard Mill. Just as they were getting ready to put out the fire, someone turned the water off.
The fireman sent someone to turn the water back on and began hauling items out of the building, but the fire had spread to several nearby buildings.
By the time the fire had been put out, half the buildings from Bodie’s boom times were smoldering ruins and the street was littered with everything from a piano to a paper full of pins.
Fortunately, no deaths were recorded, but many citizens were left with no place to sleep or eat. Many of Bodie’s homes were opened to feed and bed those who were lucky to survive with not much more than the clothes on their backs.
Arson? No one was ever charged.
