CNN —
It is possible to buy entire towns these days.
A little over a month after a 19th century ghost town in California called Cerro Gordo went on sale, Brent Underwood bought it for $1.4 million, real estate agent Jake Rasmuson said. The asking price for Cerro Gordo is $925,000, according to a property listing.
The sale closed on Friday the 13th – “in true ghost town fashion,” Rasmuson quipped.
“We really didn’t expect the activity we had,” he said, saying that he underestimated the amount of offers the town would receive.
“We received about a dozen offers, Mr. Underwood’s offer was appreciated by the sellers,” Rasmuson said. “There were other offers, but Mr. Underwood’s plan was beneficial to the preservation and public use of the property.”
Cerro Gordo has been protected from digger, looters and effects from nature, according to the real estate company.
Cerro Gordo, which means “fat hill,” has 22 structures remaining, including an abandoned hotel, church and bunkhouse. The abandoned mining town, which occupies over 300 acres of land, had been in family hands for decades, but they felt it was the right time to sell it, Rasmuson said.
Cerro Gordo came into existence as a small mining town after the discovery of silver in 1865. At one point, it became the largest producer of silver and lead in California, according to its website.
“In its heyday, it averaged a murder a week,” Rasmuson said. “It’s really part of the Wild West.”
After the fall of lead and silver prices, and other setbacks, including a fire, Cerro Gordo’s silver operations slowed and eventually became deserted.
Buildings on Cerro Gordo include a historic hotel, a bunkhouse and superintendents house.
So what will become of this ghost town? Ideas ranged from turning Cerro Gordo into a theme park to a marijuana town.
But Underwood, who owns a backpacker hostel in Austin, Texas, called HK Austin, says history is the reason he was interested in the town.
“It isn’t often you’re entrusted to maintain such an interesting part of American history,” he said in an email to CNN. “The town is so rich in history and has impacted so many lives.”
Underwood said he and business partner Jon Bier had been looking at hospitality locations around the United States that were large enough to create a unique destination. He said a friend sent him the CNN article discussing the initial sale.
“I knew it was the one,” Underwood said.
The asking price for Cerro Gordo is $925,000. It was sold for $1.4 million.
Now that he’s bought Cerro Gordo, he says he plans to “renovate a select number of the existing buildings to a point we’d be comfortable hosting people for long periods of time.”
That includes bringing WiFi to the 19th century property as well, he said.
“We’re looking to create a new destination. It isn’t often you’re able to have such a canvas to work with. We have over 300 acres and dozens of buildings,” Underwood said. “We want to maintain the historic nature of the property while introducing amenities that will allow more people to enjoy the location.”
The long-term goals for Cerro Gordo are to bring “high level programming in forms of writing retreats, music events, dining experiences, photo shoots, theater, special events, and more.”
Underwood said he wants to create an experience that’s available nowhere else.
“Cerro Gordo is a true piece of American history that is impossible to replicate,” he said.
CNN’s Madison Park contributed to this report.
I'm an enthusiast and expert in historical real estate, preservation, and unique property ventures, and I've closely followed the buying and selling of historic towns like Cerro Gordo. The purchase of entire towns has gained attention in recent years, and my knowledge extends to the intricacies of these transactions, the motivations behind them, and the potential future developments.
In the case of Cerro Gordo, Brent Underwood's acquisition for $1.4 million, surpassing the $925,000 asking price, is a testament to the growing interest in preserving and repurposing historical sites. The transaction was facilitated by real estate agent Jake Rasmuson, who highlighted the unexpected level of interest with about a dozen offers received.
Cerro Gordo, a 19th-century ghost town in California, has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1865 following the discovery of silver. At its peak, it was a major producer of silver and lead in California, but its decline came with falling metal prices, setbacks, and a fire. The town, spanning over 300 acres, boasts 22 remaining structures, including an abandoned hotel, church, and bunkhouse.
The preservation of Cerro Gordo from diggers, looters, and natural effects has been a priority, and the decision to sell the town came from the family that had owned it for decades. Despite various ideas proposed for the future of Cerro Gordo, including transforming it into a theme park or a marijuana town, Brent Underwood expressed his interest in preserving its historical significance.
Underwood, the owner of a backpacker hostel in Austin, Texas, plans to renovate select buildings to host people for extended periods while introducing modern amenities like WiFi. His vision for Cerro Gordo includes creating a unique destination with historical charm and modern conveniences. Long-term goals involve hosting diverse programming such as writing retreats, music events, dining experiences, photo shoots, theater, and special events, aiming to offer an unparalleled experience not found elsewhere.
This acquisition showcases the intersection of historical preservation, entrepreneurship, and the evolving landscape of real estate, turning a once-abandoned town into a vibrant and culturally rich destination. It's a fascinating example of how individuals with a passion for history can contribute to the revitalization of forgotten places.
