Brent Underwood’s Six-Year Quest to Revive California’s Cerro Gordo Ghost Town
Brent Underwood spent $1.4 million in 2018 to buy the abandoned silver-mining town of Cerro Gordo near Lone Pine, California, using his life savings and a high-interest loan. Six years later, he is converting the site into a tourist destination with a hotel, eight cabins, and a restaurant. Despite facing significant challenges, including an electrical fire that destroyed a nearly finished hotel, Underwood remains committed to preserving the town's history while making it accessible to visitors. The town is currently open for day visits, with free self-guided tours and paid weekend mine tours.