While traveling through the area in 1881, prospectors discovered silver in the calico colored hills which is how the area got its name. Soon after, the town of Calico was established and hit its peak production between in 1893 with 500 mines, becoming the largest silver producer in California. By 1890, the population was 3,500 residents and had hotels, bars, general stores, restaurants, brothels, boarding houses, and a school. That same year, the Silver Purchase Act increased silver productions across the country and the price of silver was driven down so low that silver production was just not profitable. Borax was also discovered here and was mined after the decline of silver mining but did not last long. In 1898, the post office was closed and by 1907, the town was mostly abandoned.

In 1951, Walter Knott purchased the town from the previous owner and restored the town to its former glory. Walter Knott created Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park and had designed the fictional ghost town of Calico which was a big hit so this would be right up his alley. In 2005, Calico won the title of Official State Silver Rush Ghost Town. Now days, Calico is operated by the County of San Bernardino and you can visit for a small entrance fee.