It may be time for me to move to California. With many historic renovations under my belt, sure there are properties nearby to which I may cast my gaze, however, here’s an opportunity to own an entire ghost Town (which means it’s uninhabited, not that ghosts roam the streets). The town dates from 1867 and was known for silver mining, located loosely in the environs of the desert midway between Fresno and Las Vegas.

More or less.

Of course, there are no roads across the Sierra Nevada from Fresno, so the closest city to the west would be Bakersfield, about 160 miles away. That leaves you with some forests, some mountains, the town of Lone Pine (population 2,000-something) and Death Valley.

Looks like a lot of dust, but who knows? This city girl just may be able to make it work….

The mining camp is called Cerro Gordo and it’s all over the news right now. There’s a beautifully-restored saloon with the historic hotel, a bunkhouse for the miners, a superintendent’s house, about 22 total buildings and more than 300 acres of land with mining rights. Talk about the Wild West.

All for under $1 million, about $925,000 to be exact.

Of course, you might need to check into small matters such as water, roads, rattle snakes and security. Back in the day, about a murder a week occurred there during its heyday. A bunch of bullet holes in buildings, some restored and others “…in a state of protected arrested decay”.

I like.

This is my kind of thing.

The real estate listing notes that it’s been held by one family for decades, the site “…extremely well protected from diggers, artifact looters and Mother Nature herself”. That must mean that they’ve had security of some sort in place.

What could a person use it for? Tours, naturally, but it’s a bit remote…. Weddings would be great, but again, that hotel may need to become operational if it’s not already. Art show or concert venues, however, crowd control could be problematic. Not many wild west movies are being filmed, anymore…. A family or church retreat. Archaeology. A bed-and-breakfast. Not sure what type of mining might be undertaken and if amateurs would qualify….

Lots of questions, but fun to dream. If you buy it, invite me to come visit, okay?

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