Podcast Summary
Finding inspiration and excitement in unexpected places: Despite challenges, find opportunities to make the most of your situation and discover hidden gems, whether in a ghost town or at Kroger.
No matter where you are or what challenges you face, whether it's finding meal inspiration at Kroger or trying to make a dream come true in a pandemic, there's always a way to find inspiration, savings, and excitement. Brent Underwood, a man living alone in a ghost town during the pandemic, exemplifies this. Despite the difficulties of living off a battery-powered internet and dealing with the complications of an abandoned town, he remains enthusiastic and determined to turn it into a unique tourist destination. Similarly, shopping at Kroger offers an abundance of meal options and savings, making it an inspiring and worthwhile experience. So, whether it's in the kitchen or in a ghost town, always look for the opportunities to make the most of your situation and find the hidden gems.
Prosperous Mining Town of Cerro Gordo, California: Cerro Gordo, a small California town, thrived during the late 1800s due to silver mining. It attracted investors, developers, and infrastructure growth, including Los Angeles as a supply hub.
Cerro Gordo, California, a small town nestled between Mount Whitney and Death Valley, experienced unprecedented prosperity during the late 1800s due to the discovery of silver. Established in the mid-1860s, Cerro Gordo quickly grew into a bustling mining town, attracting investors and developers. By the 1870s, the mine was producing a significant amount of silver, making it the most productive in California. This prosperity led to the growth of Los Angeles as a supply hub and the development of various infrastructure, including hotels, cabins, and even brothels. Despite its wild past, with an average of a murder a week during its peak population of 4,500 residents, the town's history remains preserved. Today, visitors can explore its various buildings, each filled with artifacts and stories, including the American Hotel, a barn-turned-church-turned-movie-theater, and the infamous card room, where a deadly shootout took place.
A modern prospector's dream: buying Cerro Gordo: An adventurous spirit and a willingness to take risks, even in the face of challenges, can lead someone to buy and revitalize an abandoned mining town
The abandoned mining town of Cerro Gordo, despite its haunting past and lack of resources, continues to attract new owners with a sense of adventure and a willingness to take risks. The latest owner, Brent, defies the typical image of a prospector from the west, having grown up in Tampa and originally intending to pursue a career in finance. However, his experiences traveling and staying in hostels ignited a passion for unique and communal living spaces. Despite the challenges, including potential ghosts and the town's lack of water and resources, Brent's imagination and sense of adventure led him to buy Cerro Gordo, continuing the town's legacy as a symbol of America's prospecting history.
Preserving history in hospitality: Combining a unique value proposition, passion, and determination can lead to success in the hospitality industry
Brent's success in the hospitality industry was not just about providing a place to stay, but also about preserving history. Starting with a hostel in Austin, he found joy in sharing the building's rich history with guests. This approach paid off when he stumbled upon an old mining town, Cerro Gordo, for sale. Despite the steep price and lack of funds, Brent's passion for history and hospitality drove him to acquire the property. With the help of his business partner, they secured investors and turned Cerro Gordo into a thriving tourist destination. This story illustrates the power of combining a unique value proposition, passion, and determination to achieve success.
Abandoned mining town holds rich history and potential for discovery: Brent and his co-owners aim to revive Cerro Gordo, a ghost town with a $1 billion silver mining history and a dedicated caretaker, Robert, who continues the search for more silver deposits.
The ghost town of Cerro Gordo, owned by Brent and his co-owners, holds a rich history and potential for discovery. With an estimated $1 billion in silver extracted from the mountain and rumors of more to be found, the town's caretaker, Robert Damaris, continues his search for the lost silver vein. Robert, a former school teacher and miner, has been living in Cerro Gordo for the past 23 years and is deeply connected to the town's history. Despite the challenging living conditions, such as limited water and the need for wood and dynamite for mining, Brent is motivated to revive the ghost town and bring new life to its main buildings and grounds. The presence of the elusive silver deposits, along with the dedicated caretaker, adds an intriguing layer to the potential development of Cerro Gordo.
Preserving history and beauty in Cerro Gordo: Brent values practical advice, human connection, and community support to overcome challenges in the remote location of Cerro Gordo, focusing on the positive aspects despite hardships.
Brent's vision for Cerro Gordo is to preserve its history and beauty while avoiding the touristy and commercialized feel often seen in other "ghost towns." He values practical advice and human connection, especially during challenging times like the pandemic and extreme weather conditions. The unique challenges of the remote location, such as limited water and access, add to the sense of isolation and the importance of community support. Despite the hardships, Brent remains focused on the positive aspects of his experience, appreciating the privilege of living and working on the property.
Finding Gratitude and Connection in a Historic Ghost Town: Living in a historic ghost town offers a unique perspective, providing solace, discoveries, and a reminder of the past, inspiring a sense of purpose and gratitude for the present.
Even in challenging circumstances, finding gratitude for the present and connecting with history can provide perspective and motivation. The speakers, who are currently living in a historic ghost town, have found solace in the unique experiences and discoveries they've made there. Despite setbacks and hardships, their determination and belief in the place have helped them stay positive and find meaning in their time there. Unearthing pieces of history, like old letters and artifacts, serves as a reminder of the rich past and the importance of preserving it. These discoveries offer a sense of connection to the people who came before and inspire a sense of purpose for those who are there now. Overall, the experience of living in a historic ghost town has provided a unique perspective on life and the importance of making the most of the time we have.
Determined to rebuild after a devastating fire: Fire destroyed Brent's hotel, but his determination to rebuild and revive Cerro Gordo remains unbroken, with new residents, goats, adding to town's character.
Despite facing a devastating fire that destroyed his crown jewel, the American Hotel, in Cerro Gordo, Brent remains determined to rebuild and continue his efforts to revive the old silver mining town. The fire, which started suddenly and destroyed the hotel, left Brent in a state of shock, but he refused to give up. With the discovery of the original floor plan for the American Hotel just a week before the fire, Brent and his business partner John are now trying to raise funds to rebuild. The silver lining in this situation is that the town has gained five new residents in the form of goats, adding to the unique character of the town. The story of Cerro Gordo serves as a reminder that everything dies, but the determination to keep going and rebuild is essential.
