Man Who Bought California Ghost Town for $1.4 Million Details His Gamble

Brent Underwood purchased the abandoned silver-mining town of Cerro Gordo, located in Inyo County, California, for $1.4 million in 2018. He financed the acquisition using his life savings and a high-interest loan, with the intention of transforming the historic site into a tourist destination.

Underwood, who has described himself as an introvert with a love for history and hospitality, was inspired by childhood memories of watching Westerns with his grandfather. He learned about Cerro Gordo when a friend sent him a listing for the town late one night, jokingly suggesting it might be his next venture. After researching the town the following morning, Underwood booked a flight to see it in person.

He found the town, which he described as a "beautiful collection of buildings that looks like it's frozen in time from the 1800s," to be captivating. In its heyday during the 1880s, Cerro Gordo boasted thousands of residents and over a hundred buildings. However, many structures were lost to fires and natural hazards over time.

Upon his purchase, about 20 buildings remained, many in disrepair, along with remnants of original cabins that had succumbed to strong winds. Among the surviving structures are an old general store, which Underwood has converted into a museum, a brothel, a church, a movie theater, a bunkhouse, and the "hoist house" containing the main Union Mine shaft.

Underwood has acknowledged that he underestimated the challenges involved in revitalizing the remote town. The solitude and lack of nearby neighbors, which he finds appealing for its quietude and connection to nature, also necessitate meticulous planning for supplies and resources. "If you forget a part, the closest real hardware store is two hours away," he told the Daily Mail. "You can't just run down the road to get something."

Despite his efforts, Underwood has faced setbacks, including an electrical fire that destroyed a nearly completed hotel, forcing him to restart construction on that project. His long-term vision for Cerro Gordo includes opening a hotel, eight rental cabins, a restaurant, and a bar, aiming to preserve its history while allowing visitors to experience its natural beauty.

He expects the hotel to be completed next year. Currently, the town is open for day visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Self-guided tours are free, and guided tours of the main mine building are available on weekends for $20. Underwood documents his ongoing restoration efforts on his YouTube channel, "Ghost Town Living."