text: In Cerro Gordo, a town nestled in the Inyo Mountains of California, near Death Valley, there’s a single saloon with swinging doors, two out-of-tune pianos and a mysterious bloodstain on the wall beneath three bullet holes. 
   
   It’s one of Brent Underwood’s favorite places in the ghost town, and now that he owns it, he plans on sharing it with the world. (He’s still trying to learn the story behind the bloodstain.) 
   
   On Friday, Mr. Underwood and his friend Jon Bier became the latest owners of Cerro Gordo, which translates to “fat hill,” after buying it for $1.4 million. They plan to restore the town while preserving its past, Mr. Underwood said, adding that they hope to attract a variety of visitors. He said they expected to spend about $1 million to get things started. 
   
   Jake Rasmuson of Bishop Real Estate said that he received hundreds of inquiries after the sale was announced in early June. Twelve of the offers were serious, he said, noting that the original asking price was $925,000. ||||| (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. Nolan Nitschke 
   
   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. Nolan Nitschke 
   
   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. Nolan Nitschke 
   
   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. ||||| Hard Luck Castle Mine Photo 2 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6 Photo 7 Photo 8 Photo 9 Photo 10 Photo 11 Photo 12 Photo 13 Photo 14 Photo 15 Photo 16 Photo 17 Photo 18 Photo 19 Photo 20 Photo 21 Photo 22 Photo 23 Photo 24 Photo 25 Photo 26 Photo 27 Photo 28 Photo 29 Photo 30 Photo 31 Photo 32 Photo 33 Photo 34 Photo 35 Photo 36 Photo 37 Photo 41 Photo 42 IMG_4752 IMG_4753 IMG_4759 IMG_4758 IMG_4763 IMG_4764 IMG_4767 IMG_4773 IMG_4783 IMG_4777 IMG_4789 IMG_4791 IMG_4799 Video Tour 1 Bonnie Clair Road, Goldfield, NV 89013 
   
   
   
   Features: 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths 
   
   4 story, 22 rooms, 8,000 square feet 
   
   Off grid power. Water trucked in. 4000 gallon tank 
   
   Separate wood and auto/metal shops 
   
   40 Acres on two parcels 
   
   Dormant gold mine included 
   
   View Listing Details Remarks: 
   
   An amazing opportunity to own one of the most unique properties in the the United States, the Hard Luck Castle combines elements of the Wild West with a modern-day castle. Encompassing 40 acres of land and 8,000 square feet of living space in the private Nevada wilderness. This exceptional property is self-sustainable and completely off the power grid. Read below for a complete list of offerings. The Main Building - The Castle: 4 story, 22 rooms, 8,000 square feet. Constructed from 2000 to 2012 with superior engineering to last 400 to 500 years. All steel, concrete, cinder block, and glass materials with 16" thick walls. Two kitchens, 3 full baths, full wood shop, wine cellar, theater and game room, glass solarium / planetarium, fountain room, large main entrance with afternoon view deck, two 1920's pipe organs. Partially furnished with antiques. 4,000 gallon water storage with rain catchment's and a water hauling trailer. Castle has become a tourist attraction and a landmark in Esmeralda County. Out-Buildings: Work / Automotive Shop - 600 square feet (20'x30') steel fabrication and welding workshop with automotive lift, second story storage with hoist, numerous hand and power tools, and full welding arrangement. Original, but remodeled miners cabin - comfortable, historic, plumbed and electricity added. Wooden cabin that sleeps 4 cozily. Complete kitchen. Shower House - shower and toilet with modern plumbing for use by cabin occupants. Guest trailer and outdoor rustic shower stall with a view. Power House with main generator. Gold mine tunnel with small secure storage / work area and rail-car access. The Land and Mining Claims: The Hard Luck Castle is built on 40 acres of patented private land. situated 9 miles off Hwy. 267 in Esmeralda County, NV. 187 miles from Las Vegas and 325 miles from Reno, NV. Productive, but dormant gold mine included. 160 ft. Gold mine shaft in serviceable condition. Closed at the start of WWII and never reopened, but still high in Gold content! Assay available. Total privacy at 6,000 feet elevation on Gold Mt. Nearest commerce center at Gold Point 10 miles away and Beatty, 50 miles away. Esmeralda County is one of the most relaxed counties in the US with NO building codes and few intrusive laws on private land. Year-around access on regularly graded county road. Just below the snow line and not too hot in the summer (90 degrees in July). Power Sources: The Castle has complete off-grid self-sufficiency, with several power sources. Solar and wind power charged battery as main power. 3000 gallon propane tank with heaters throughout the castle. Main diesel generator Two back-up diesel / propane generators 300 gallon diesel storage tank Included Equipment: Entire Castle with accompanying and personal property to be sold! Complete wood shop and all wood working equipment and hand tools. Complete automotive and metal shop with auto hoist, hand tools, welders, ample storage, compressed air, plus much more! Cat 12 road grader for snow removal and road clearing. 800 gallon water - hauling trailer Extras not mentioned: Cellular phone service available Satellite service available Direct TV service available RV Pad with complete hookups Seller will consider financing with substantial down payment 
   
   $950,000 Music: Quick Links » Schedule a Viewing » Request More Info » FREE Listing Updates » View Map » Satellite Photo » Search the MLS » Print Flyer » Email This Listing » Feedback » View Entire MLS » Mineral Info Jake Rasmuson 
   
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   © 2019 Properties Online Inc., Patent No. US 6,760,707. The above information including square footage is based on data received from the seller and/or from public sources. This information is deemed reliable but has not been independently verified and cannot be guaranteed. Prospective buyers are advised to verify information to their own satisfaction prior to purchase. By providing links to other sites Properties Online Inc. does not guarantee, approve or endorse the information or products available at these sites, nor does a link indicate any association with or endorsement by the linked site to the agent, brokerage, brand or Properties Online Inc.. Powered by 01401464© 2019 Properties Online Inc., Patent No. US 6,760,707. The above information including square footage is based on data received from the seller and/or from public sources. This information is deemed reliable but has not been independently verified and cannot be guaranteed. Prospective buyers are advised to verify information to their own satisfaction prior to purchase. By providing links to other sites Properties Online Inc. does not guarantee, approve or endorse the information or products available at these sites, nor does a link indicate any association with or endorsement by the linked site to the agent, brokerage, brand or Properties Online Inc.. Powered by ListingDomains.com ||||| The ghost town of Cerro Gordo is officially under new management. 
   
   After being on the market, the sale of the abandoned mining town south of the Sierra Nevada fittingly closed on Friday the 13th. The 24,000-square-feet of buildings and more than 300 acres of patented mining claims once averaged a "murder a week" in its hey day, and was once the largest producer of silver and lead in California. 
   
   The new owners, Brent Underwood and Jon Bier, have assembled a team of Los Angeles-based investors for the town with hopes "to continue this piece of American history." 
   
   The new owners said prior to the finalization of the sale they met with the previous owners of Cerro Gordo and found they had a common vision for what they hoped the town could be. 
   
   "There were offers that were quite higher than our offer," Bier said. "But to the credit of the family that sold it, they went with our offer because we were going to keep the integrity and tell the story of what makes it culturally significant." 
   
   "Our goal is to maintain the historical nature of the property and respect the piece of history," Underwood said. 
   
   But that's not to say some changes won't be taking place. 
   
   Cerro Gordo doesn't have running water so in order to make the town an extended-stay destination, that problem is No. 1 on the list. Both Bier and Underwood spoke of necessary refurbishments to be done to buildings so they are structurally sound as well as adding a restaurant and bar one day. 
   
   Underwood said there aren't immediate plans to build new structures and that the current plans primarily revolve around refurbishing the 22 original buildings left standing in the ghost town. 
   
   The group of investors have dreams of holding group retreats, stargazing, hiking tours and hatch throwing workshops. 
   
   However one thing that won't be changing with the new sale is longtime caretaker, Robert Desmarais. 
   
   Desmarais has lived in Cerro Gordo for the past 21 years as a caretaker, living alone in the desolate town even after his wife left the town because of the extreme altitude and weather conditions. 
   
   He first came to Cerro Gordo in 1997 after seeing an ad in a trade magazine about mining in the town. Ever since his first visit, he has become one of the keepers of the ghost town. 
   
   "I've fallen in love with the history of the town," Desmarais said. "I like the adventure and I love the fact that I am preserving history." 
   
   Desmarais said he "doesn't want to ever leave" the wild wild west town and continues to hope that more people come and experience it. 
   
   "I just really hope that the town can stay historically correct," Desmarais added. "And that more people can come and visit the town." ||||| Historic California ghost town sells for $1.4 million on Friday the 13th 
   
   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
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   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
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   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
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   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
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   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
   The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. The 19th-century mining town of Cedro Gordo and the surrounding 300 acres outside Lone Pine, Calif., is listed for $925,000. Photo: Nolan Nitschke 
   
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   Photo: Nolan Nitschke Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Historic California ghost town sells for $1.4 million on Friday the 13th 1 / 24 Back to Gallery 
   
   A bidding war recently broke out over a prime piece of California real estate — and it wasn't for a tiny San Francisco condo. 
   
   In this case, a dozen offers were made for an entire town, the 19th-century mining hub of Cerro Gordo, on 300 acres in the Inyo Mountains outside Lone Pine, Calif. It was listed for for $925,000 in June and closed on Friday the 13th for $1.4 million. 
   
   "I would say the date was very coincidental," says listing agent Jake Rasmuson of Bishop Real Estate. "Strictly by chance but very fitting for the property." 
   
   The seller accepted an offer from a group of Los Angeles investors who plan to preserve the relic of the American West and keep it open to the public. 
   
   "We did have higher offers, however the sellers really liked the buyers' proposal and liked the buyers' plan," says Rasmuson. 
   
   Now Playing: 
   
   In the shadow of Mount Whitney, the property includes vast acreage of sage-studded land with mineral rights and a well-preserved authentic ghost town. There are almost two dozen buildings, including a church, a saloon, a historic hotel called the Belshaw Bunkhouse, a hoist house and a superintendent's house. 
   
   The town was protected from diggers over the years, and many artifacts from the area are housed in a museum. 
   
   Cerro Gordo has been in the hands of the same family for decades, and though privately owned, it was open to the public for tours. The owners were hoping to sell to someone who appreciates the property's history. 
   
   ALSO, Northern California ranch, nearly the size of San Francisco, listed for $31 million 
   
   The buyers are Brent Underwood, who founded the youth hostel HK Austin and Jon Bier, who runs a public relations firm catering to athletes. The two teamed up with other investors to make the purchase; they include Ryan Holiday, former director of marketing at American Apparel; Tero Isokauppila, CEO/founder of superfood company Four Sigmatic; Brendan 
   
   Gahan, CEO/founder of Epic Signal; George Rutolo, owner of The Whisky Bars; and Kelley Mooney, an en executive at Hulu. 
   
   "We want to maintain the historic nature of the property while introducing amenities that will allow more people to enjoy this piece of American history," Underwood says. "We have spent a lot of time with the current owners and caretaker to learn the history of the place. I've read all the books I can find on the town. I can't express our excitement to be able to continue the care of this beautiful location." 
   
   He adds that they also hope to eventually add overnight accommodations and events such as writing retreats, concerts, photo shoots, theater and more. 
   
   Silver was first discovered in the hills of Cerro Gordo in 1865, and in the following years prospectors flocked to its rich veins of silver. It became known as the "silver thread" to Los Angeles and silver was loaded onto mule trains and taken to the city. The town population swelled to some 5,000 at its height and quickly dwindled when silver prices dropped in 1877. 
   
   "We want to create a place that pays tribute to this historic part of American history," Underwood says.
target: – On Friday, two friends became the proud new owners of a California ghost town. Cerro Gordo, a 300-acre town nestled in the Inyo Mountains not far from Death Valley, has a "Wild West" history thanks to the discovery of silver there in 1865; within four years, mining operations made it the largest producer of silver and lead in the state, and it later became the largest producer of zinc carbonates in the entire country. But that era ended, and by 1950, Cerro Gordo was basically abandoned. The previous owners, brothers who inherited the town from their family—the property listing says the town had been owned by the same family for decades—decided to sell it while attempting to keep its history intact, and received a dozen serious offers after announcing the sale in June. The original asking price was $925,000, but Brent Underwood and Jon Bier ended up purchasing it for $1.4 million, the New York Times reports. The entrepreneurs' plan is to revive the town, developing it into a destination while preserving its history. There are nearly two dozen buildings on the property, the San Francisco Chronicle reports, including a church and theater, a general store, a museum, a two-story hotel, an eight-bed bunkhouse, and of course a saloon; in addition to its iconic swinging doors and two pianos, the saloon features a bloodstain underneath three bullet holes on one wall. (The real estate agent tells CNN the town "averaged a murder a week" at the peak of the mining era.) Its caretaker—he's been there 21 years, NBC LA reports, and is currently the only person living in the town—will stay there as buildings are restored. Underwood and Bier plan to move there in August, the Sacramento Bee reports. Among other things, they plan to build an observation deck; Mount Whitney and Death Valley National Park can be seen from parts of the town. "You very much feel like you’re back in time," Underwood says.