Lost Mines of Southern California: Calico Mines
Calico Mines County: San Bernardino Primary Minerals: Silver and Borax. Gold was mined on a lesser scale in the 1930's. Years of Operation: Calico was the site of California's biggest silver boom period began in 1881 and lasted through the mid 1890's when silver lost its value. B orate mining kept the town alive, though most of the miners had left, even through the panic of 1906.