Some people would love to own a piece of history. A group of investors recently achieved just that when they bought an entire town… a ghost town, that is.
Brent Underwood purchased the historic ghost town named Cerro Gordo, which means “fat hill” in Spanish, for $1.4 Million. While there were multiple offers and plans for the property, from theme parks to a marijuana town, Mr. Underwood’s plan for the town was the most beneficial to its overall preservation.
Cerro Gordo is sprawled out over 300 acres of land. There are 22 structures left including an old church, a bunkhouse, and even a hotel. In its prime, it served as a mining town after the discovery of silver in 1865 and was once famous for the quality of its silver which allowed it to become the largest producer in California. However, certain problems hit the town hard such as a devastating fire and a drop in metal prices. Operations eventually came to a stop and the town, like many other ghost towns, became abandoned.
The property used to be family owned but it was decided the time was right to sell. Underwood’s plans to renovate and revive the town along with his strong interest in the town’s history made him an ideal buyer.
Plans for Cerro Gordo consist of fixing up existing buildings and adding modern amenities to allow for visitors and guests. Goals and ideas for the historic town include restaurants and dining, writing retreats, special events, and much more all designed to bring people together interested in experiencing a piece of American history.
