This town developed in 1881 from silver discoveries in the Calico Mountains. The silver deposits were fabulously rich an produced around 20$ million dollars in silver ore and borates before the price of silver dropped in 1896 and the town became a ghost. Today, Calico is some kind of theme park, but Hank's Saloon and the remains of the mine are original.

Calico is a major tourist attraction in the Barstow area.

There are still many original historic remains. Close to the parking lot, you find the graves of those who once built this mining town.