Bodie Bank - Bodie.com

The Bodie Bank - Pre-1932

Bodie Bank

This building was likely a hot-spot for activity in town. J. S. Cain owned the Bodie Bank, and because Cain had so

Bodie Bank Vault - 1932

many businesses in town, and had dealings with so many people with regard to Bodie, it is likely that people were in and out of the bank all day long.

J. S. Cain bought the bank in 1890 from E. L. Benedict, after making quite a large fortune from a block of ground in the Standard Mine. From then on, Cain would be investing and building in the town quite a bit.

J. S. Cain and
the safe - 1932

Today, not much is remains. The picture to the right was probably taken shortly after the 1932 fire that leveled most the town. The bank had gone untouched by the fire of 1892, but wasn't so lucky in 1932.

Cain was optimistic that the building would again escape destruction, but unfortunately he was wrong. At one point, as the fire spread to the roof of the bank, a few of the men rushed into the burning building, and tried to remove the beautiful walnut counter.

Bodie Bank Vault - 2003

They apparently got it to the door, but ended up jamming it in place, so as to block the exit completely - stopping the removal of the counter and any other items that could have been saved.

In the picture to the left, you can see Cain posing with the safe that is still inside the remains of the bank vault. According to stories, none of the valuables INSIDE the safe were damaged when the fire leveled the rest of the bank. Before the fire actually got to the bank though, Cain's grand-daughters, Helen and Ruth, got the key to the bank from their grandfather, so they could save some of their favorite items. Cain was sure the bank would be fine, but let them get thier things to make them feel better.

As we know, and Cain found out very soon that day, the bank was completely destroyed, except for the brick shell of the vault, and the contents of the safe. If you visit Bodie, you can still see the beautifuly decorated safe through a hole cut in the large metal door.