Fire In A Ghost Town: Rebuilding the American Hotel at Cerro Gordo
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- Опубликовано: 11 июл 2020
- Thank you to everyone who has supported this project along the way. It really does mean the world to us and gives us the encouragement to keep pursuing the dream of Cerro Gordo. More below...
Ways to support rebuilding the American Hotel:
1) Donate on GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/cerro-gordo
2) Volunteer with the rebuild, especially if you have a skill related to construction. You can signup to volunteer here: forms.gle/TD7BRMkqPNkQjT29A
3) Subscribe to this channel, share, and follow along with the rebuild on Instagram: / brentwunderwood
Thank you so much!
Thank you all for the support of the building of the new hotel! All of you who have donated to the GoFundme (www.gofundme.com/f/cerro-gordo), volunteered, written your condolences, and everything else. It means a lot.
Episode 6: ruclips.net/video/JbtnSeo3NVw/видео.html
Just bought a nail after watching this😀
Went on TikTok for the first time ever today and randomly come across your channel and quickly became hooked on your mining videos. I ventured onto the longer videos on RUclips hoping to see that you found some jeans; instead I found that the hotel burned down. I wish we lived closer to help with the labor but was able to donate and can’t wait to watch it being rebuilt. Best wishes!
Dude, what a loss...
I drank "Cerro Gordo" brand root beer with Mike in that hotel lobby....
Beautiful place...
I don't got any money, but I am praying for you. I really hope that everything is downhill from here for you. After the earthquake, the fires, the hail storm, and having your appendix removed, sounds like you could definitely use a few good days. I have been binge watching your videos since yesterday after subscribing. Hopefully youtube us paying u a bunch if money for these videos
Went to the gofundme and it’s gone. Surely you can still use a little money.
Keep a register of all the volunteers who help rebuild and incorporate a wall or a plaque or some permanent structure to honor them.
Your city is being rebuilt with lots of love and I'm excited to watch it grow. It's going to be amazing!
Indeed! He's a man with a plan and a good one
@Felipe M agreed. this is chaotic and dangerous.
This might be dangerous, he's not forcing anybody though. Fact is, if you like history, this is amazing. There's a good story to be told and things to be found in these mines that can help tell that story.
I actually think it's nice to see someone not only talking but actually put actions to his words.
Everyone can have different opinion of course.
@@jordanboerger6044 welcome to life 🙃
@@danydemers2851 indeed many people who changed the world in the history are risk takers. Maybe he's trying the same. Also he knows the risk in the first video.
Better tell that ghost in the bunk house, not use the lights, until its rewired... :)
🤣🤣🤣
Could it be an indication of faulty wiring?
@@summereisert6731 honestly when I first heard that on this channel that gave me major alarm bells in my head, my grandparents had the same thing happen in an old house they were restoring and it turned out to be a majorly shorted wire that could have caused a fire :/
Maybe she wanted new linens!
Omg that's funny but it's not for so many reasons
Hey Brent! I am a painter-- I would love to try my hand at remaking the painting from the bar, if you ever need someone to! I just found your first video earlier tonight and have been marathoning your channel...my heart broke seeing the fire and would love to help anyway I can. Much love to y'all & Cerro Gordo!
I recall seeing that painting recently via youtube. It would be terrific if he wanted someone to restore it (& any others that may remain). I pray he sees your offer
I think someone else in the other video already said they would commission a new painting and a painted also replied in there, dunno how final their plan is right now.
@@nicobuffing9756 thats great!! Whatever works out, works out- no matter who makes it work 🤗 i just hope all the pieces get put back together somehow 💖
I think he should paint the lady nude as the painting originally was, nam sayin'.
That would be so cool of you!!!!
Have you reached out to any historic preservation groups? Maybe you could try to network with them to get word out about your site and plans! Best of luck as you continue to recover. I can’t wait to see what you do with the site.
That's what I wondered. I have heard of Grants for historical places
There are usually a Lot of rules and regs when you get involved with historical preservation.
i was the 200th like, yay!
I was thinking along the same lines.
He might be able to get some historical, geological & archeological undergrads who might be paid by their Universities or Colleges to work with them for gaining experience & class credits, like they use on archeology digs.
It's worth contacting University's & College's in CA that might want to participate in his restoration program.
Didn't notice any adds, are you monetized? that should help with funds.
He's got 169,000 followers. Guessing the channel is monetized.
I’ve had a lot of ads watching these videos.
Theres ads
PokeandNudge I had an ad at the beginning and end. I believe creators can choose to run mid roll ads or not so he’s prob trying to not put ads in the middle for a more enjoyable video
I got an add.
From the UK, I'd watched a few vids, including the introduction to the America Hotel. When I came to the tragedy vid I was genuinely, still am, painfully gutted. Here in the UK we have priceless history everywhere, some going back 1000s of yrs. But the scarcety of your history makes it its own special kind of priceless. But in true American pioneer can do spirit your are making the next chapter in America Hotel's history, which will continue its story and that's wonderful and authentic in a very American way.
This is the only channel where I would happily watch some ads.
Glad to see how positive you are feeling. Love the updates!
So happy you’re still working towards your goals, even with the setbacks. It’ll be wonderful a year or so from now when it’s all finally back to it’s beautiful state.
I hope so! Thank you
Those old stoves and ovens could probably be restored lookwise to be on display in the new hotel.
Of course they can, WTF!?
It's that painting that breaks my heart! The story behind it is so awesome! Ugh! I wish it could have been saved! Maybe someone can replicate it or something.
Im 13 right now i hope when im 18 i can stay there that would be awesome
I’m an archaeologist, I would love to help with the dig and artifacts. I’m in Texas though but if you have any questions please reach out!
I disable my adblock and watch ads until the very end for this channel.
@S JLA then I'll be like a RUclips yes I am very interested in this perfume ad you have given me
Shouldn't throw those stoves away they can be rebuild, re-lined, and put back in the new hotel.
Absolutely
All he want now is to build a new hotel to start earning profit ASAP, I doubt he spent 1.4M just to preserve the history and building.
Metal is probably warped or something. Not worth it.
@@siwei438 what, someone is not just throwing 1.4 into a stove and burns it but actually has a plan how he can get something back out of it for himself? how dare he kekw
@Iron *Fe* those stoves would never be allows to be used in hotel before or after fire. California is impossibly strick with codes
I was recommended watching these vids by a buddy of mine , loving the channel, the exploration of the mines and everything else , purchased some of the nails to support the rebuild of this place , from Stu T in the uk 🇬🇧
Instead of burying all of the burned metal, from the Hotel fire (and other metal you come across that you don't intend to use), please consider recycling it. You can take it to a scrap metal yard, where they will buy it from you, even if it is burned and/or rusted. While restoring fence lines on my farm property, I have come across several places where previous owners have dumped the metal objects that would not burn. I have picked all of this stuff up, taken it to a scrap metal dealer and walked away with cash each time. Admittedly, they don't pay a lot - I recently took almost a ton of scrap metal to a dealer and received $50 for my trouble ($0.035/lb.). But $50 is $50 and I have received as much as $180 when I separated the copper, brass, aluminum (cast vs other), #1 and #2 wire, etc. That load also fit in the bed of my pickup truck. Most importantly, it keeps it from spoiling the water table, etc. Every bit helps and you could help our future little bits (kids) as well.
Yea I was thinking the same thing. This guy shouldn't be burying that metal.
Excellent idea Roy. Every bit helps as you noted!
I believe back then, when they moved settlements, they'd burn their houses and retrieve the nails. (Maybe metal wasn't as easy to get?) They'd reuse the nails in their new place. I'd see it as an honor to use some of the nails into the new hotel. As a nod to its historical value and worth. Alot more worth in that than in scrap yard.
I do see you're selling the nails too in online store. So I suppose that helps too. Good luck to the rebuild!
Thanks, thinking the same. One the one hand talking about acheologists and preserving sth. and on the other hand just dumping everything in the landscape - don't get it.
I was thinking the same thing!
I hope you were able to save some of the cast iron stoves. It takes a lot of work but the iron can be reclaimed. I had a stove from the late 1800s that we spent 6 months scouring to remove rust.
they are buckled and bent from the heat, the compartments have collapsed in on themselves, unsalable unfortunately
Just thinking outside of your situation this may sound strange but I believe that building catching on fire was a Godsend, could you imagine having people in there with the unknown problems and that occur while people were staying there, so just looking at it that way it was better that it happened when it did we’re no one was hurt ,but looking forward .the new building will be amazing and your hard work will pay off. God bless
I like the way you think seeing the big picture always put Safety First that way we can always enjoy things because we were exercising practicing being safe just the way it supposed to be follow the rules in life and be safe it makes a big difference
Yes and he wouldn't now have had all the other Electrical checked but also that should have been one of the very first things they did after purchasing it like normal people do when purchasing property with buildings on it.
Would have been caught during re-opening inspections...SHOULD have been caught during pre-purchase inspections...I’m sure the commercial real estate professional he used feels horrible...honestly this could be a commercial real estate 101 Case Study from 1970...
This guy got completely taken advantage of...his broker should be ashamed
I also like to think(in that Godsend), that fire, fire his heart even more on his dream and passion.
Well before the hotel started operating it would have had to be inspected by professionals and they probably would have found the defective wiring.
Actually this reminds me about something. This worries me about my families historic over 100 year old dog trot house we have reunions at. It’s been falling into disrepair for decades, the wiring looks sketch and no one is willing to put up the funds for an electrical or structural inspection. I feel really attached to the house and it’s legacy, more I feel than the rest of the family, but I’m just a college kid with little money and super busy. But maybe one day like Brent I can find the time and money to restore the place to last another 100yrs.
I give this man so much respect
Wow. I watched this episode straight after I watched the one about the tragic fire. So glad I did. The fire episode was so sad, this one has so much positivity in it. So good to see. I wish you well with it all. Best regards from England.
That hurt me just as a viewer seeing what happened. Can’t imagine what you went through. Glad to know things are headed in a positive direction.
This video made me cry even harder than the last one. Your optimism and enthusiasm are infections. Keep fighting the good fight and I hope to see you July 2021.
I am just happy that no one was hurt in this fire! Devastated to see those beautiful buildings gone, but looking forward to the rebuild!
Good to see you back posting. I love your videos and channel.
Thanks! Been a hectic month or two, but hoping to get videos up a bit more consistently moving forward!
@@GhostTownLiving I'm sorry I commented before I even watched your video. I'm so sorry this happened. I fully support what your doing and will be happy to donate. Keep your spirits up. I know it's hard to fathom but there is a reason beyond understanding why this happened and it very well could be a blessing in disguise.
I'm a new subscriber to your Channel I definitely like the content it would be such an amazing place to live in a place like a ghost town where there are no people and plenty of peace and quiet and a person could sleep with the door unlocked but maybe a ghost might sneak in and ransacked the place just kidding ghosts don't steal anything people do all the very best of luck to you and moving forward with your plans with your town now that you're the owner of the town are you going to keep it the same name or reinvent it I think keeping the same name would be best and don't forget to let everyone know where the nearest medical facility is because being out in the middle of nowhere there's got to be snakes and scorpions and if you're going to give a tour of the area make sure people stay on the footpath so that they don't trip on something and sprained their ankle always see the big picture Safety First
I will personally drive out from Alabama to join your opening party, if I were closer I’ve been doing construction most of my life and have a deep love for history, sending a donation and good luck to you
It makes me so happy to see how much you respect the history of all this stuff. I love that you honor the history and purpose of each building and thing instead of making it all a tourist attraction!
Im watching as many ads as I can for you brother. I would love to come visit Cerro Gordo some day
I respect how devoted you are to this town and hope to visit one day!
You're doing great man
Glad you found your feet again. Best of luck on the rebuild. I may stop in the spring to help with the electrical work, if you need it. Retired IBEW Inside Wireman here. Do yourself a favor. Have an electrical engineer design your new electrical system, even if it's not required by law in your county.
One of the coolest things I've seen on RUclips. Keep it up man!!
Sad to see the destruction of the American hotel and ice house gone. Hope to see another built in it's place. I'm sure the spirits would appreciate that very much! Least you know you're very much aware of them there. Would like very much to see more video's when you have time Brent. Thank you for giving life back to Cero Gordo
One quick thought and it’s simple, but will attract a unique clientele. If you have around a 40 foot X 40 foot flat area that can be sprayed down with biodegradable vegetable oil- usually stuff being thrown out by a restaurant, you can create a simple helicopter LZ with a just a Windsock. Having been at your place before, way back when, any telegraph or power lines would have to be free from approach.
Virtually every ghost town I’ve visited since 1980 has been by helicopter. An average jet helicopter seats 4-7 people. Given your density altitude, and depending on time of year, you could get customers that are adventurous and looking for different experiences than the normal weekend. You shouldn’t need a permit as you are in a remote area. 🚁. Now I know what your thinking- how many people would come in by helicopter. 🙄 Actually I think you’d be surprised. A service might even be offered as the more people on board, the cheaper it gets.👍
Brilliant idea. Yes it would be for a very specific type of person, but it can definitely attract them
em hathaway - I found the easiest way to get into to old mining camps and other places to photograph was by helicopter. I’ve worked in 23 countries and documenting hard-to-get-to History to photograph, sometimes requires a helicopter and rappel line. That led to knowing many people with helicopters over four decades. Many heli owners are real adventurers - this would be right up their alley. 1) you have a clientele with disposable income and a clientele that 2) doesn’t drink alcohol or cause problems due to flight regulations. 3) They usually want to land and then explore. 4) Their usual luggage consists of camera equipment and exploration gear and all kinds of crazy energy bars. 5) Their photos cross promote the places they land by their own followers.
@@relevantinformation6655 great plan. I hope he sees your comment.
why vegetable oil?
@@twapgooth It will help keep the dirt and rocks from flying up when a helicopter is landing, but won't contaminate the ground.
Damn bro my heart goes out to you for that historic place. I’m a long haul trucker, I will try to do my best to route myself out that way and perhaps assist you in the clean up. Stay strong brother. Good thing you’re doing well. I usually don’t comment, but I feel your pain.
Oh no. I'm so sorry that happened. You have a wonderful attitude toward this.
I think purchasing a fire truck would be a great idea being so far from town
It's a Blessing this man purchased this beautiful ghost town! he wont give up and he'll do his best to keep it alive. best man for the job!
I had to have some nails from the hotel so I ordered them. I was in the building around 1990 before much restoration was done on it. I remember how the stairway steps were so worn in the middle from all the people using them. Jody Stewart gave us free-rein so we went upstairs too. We found an old 1870's map in there nailed onto a board. It was a lot of fun. I made a small wooden replica of the American Hotel for Jody. She really liked it. I've been to Cerro Gordo 3 times but since I live in Kansas I don't know if I'll be back. Good luck.
I'm just glad you got so much footage of the hotel, you'll be able to recreate so much of it and still bring it back to its glory.
I agree and the clarity of the footage is awesome (overall)
I’m so glad you’re working with an archaeologist. I’m an historical archaeologist, but I’m on the other side of the country from you. If I was in your area, I would happily come out and volunteer my time to help with the excavation. I love that you’re doing everything in your power to preserve what you can. I wish everyone felt the way you do. I wish you the best!
I think with more views this will continue to get more momentum over time
Really glad you haven't just given up, setbacks aren't gonna stop your dream. Good luck👍
Haven't subrscribed to a channel this quickly in years. This is all so fascinating to me. Serious respect to you!
I'm so impressed by your positivity and drive. Good luck going forward.
Thank you! Will do!
I'm so happy to see you are doing okay and are alot more positive. Once it is done, this will be the number one place I want to visit when I go to america. I'll continue donating when I can, and liking and sharing your videos.
You are doing an amazing job
Thank you so much!
Years ago they used wiring wrapped in wax paper for wire insulation. Not sure if they did the same during the hotels time period. But I’ve had homes with that wiring. All pig tailed and very dangerous. My first home was built in 42. It was amazing! But scary. Glad you’ve got a help link via go fund me for this project. I am so stocked to see this
When I get paid I intend to buy some of your items.. Keep supporting your town, man.. It is great to see someone caring about historical places.
150 yr old wood plus shoddy wiring equals blessing in disguise that it happened now instead of after you had guests staying there.
Well it’s history they had fires back then and they rebuilt back then this is just another footnote in that building history
AWESOME!! God bless this project. I can't imagine how challenging the burn downs been.
Im from Toronto, Ontario Canada I would 100% hop on a plane and lend a hand idc if I sleep in a tent you’re a great man who has poured his heart and soul into this place it would be and honor to lend a hand. Hoping covid clears up and boarders so more can come help. Wishing you all the best!!
Keep doing your best and keep a positive mindset!
Man this is such a cool project. Can't wait to see all your updates!
I feel so bad for you man. That vid of you showing the hotel and bar off was so cool to see. I love seeing that beautiful craftsmanship and history being saved. Then I saw that vid of you explaining the fire. Wow...I still haven't stopped thinking about how messed up it is. Good luck with the rebuild. I wish I had a million dollars to send to you!
Awesome to see the rebuild taking place.
yess a new episode ;) i was waiting for this to drop
hope everything is well whit you
grtz from belgium
This would be a great spot for a music festival
Will be great to see the American hotel rebuild.
You are such an amazing man. Your passion for Cerro Gordo is contagious.
I would love be there. Keep going forward ,Cerro Gordo needs your love .
I was heartbroken seeing your last video, make sure to get EVERY single thing you can from the old hotel and incorporate into the new one, also can't wait to see what you guys find from those digs
“The Ghost of Cerro Gordo and a Fiery History”
All those people who came out to help. Thank you very nice
Your apparent love and zeal for this place and restoration of it makes me think maybe this town picked you and not the other way around! Keep up the good work as you can; you're fighting the good fight and good things will spring up as a result! Just keep looking for flowers in the cracks! You got this!
Just found your channel today, and I'm hooked, cant wait to see it when its done. Your ability to keep a positive attitude is inspiring.
When rebuilding just slap a wheelchair ramp on it. I’d love to come to and have a beer.
Bruh, just crawl up the steps like they did in the old days. Gotta keep it historically accurate.
as devastating as this was, i love how this incident has become part of it's evolving history. you're right...300 years from now, THIS will be a major part of the story
I love this guys positivity and passion.. keep up the amazing videos man
Love what you;'re doing, but I see a serious mistake.
dumping the metal and old stoves. Some of that can likely be cleaned, maybe repurposed. At minimum, it should be recycled.
July 4th 2021, IM FKING THERE!!!!
I was just there in march 2020. And took a tour and got video of the hotel and some of the other buildings. Cant believe Its gone. So glad I got a chance to see it.
So much of the roofing and other artifacts can be made into art Make sure you make an organized junk yard.. people would pay for some of that stuff you'd be willing to part with. The rest is truly rusty gold. I hope to visit one day.
The fire has started a fire within you. Now that place will be restored and brought back to a new life. Good for you, best of luck as you’ve got lots of work ahead of you ...god bless 🤙🏽
Dude you need to eat to keep up your strength. Im not trying to bash, you look thin. Keep going when you open next year we will come up and visit. Stay strong God Bless.
Agree, appreciate it. Getting snowed in with little food back-to-back with 2 rounds of appendicitis (they didn't take it out at first), fire stress, and more in a 3 months stretch really took some strength out of me. Working to get it back!
Not only do you sound like awesome individual you sound like a very hard working intelligent person it's good to see young people our age still interested in preserving the Great America. I would love to see more videos even if they're just Snippets of your day today progress I think I speak for a lot of people I am just right next door in Prescott Arizona may take a trip up there sometime to give a hand and bring the kids
My wife and I have been following your channel for quite a while we also follow you on Instagram I finally made myself watch the video before this one and this one very heartbreaking but you are a strong intelligent young man and you will get this done and you'll be proud when you do still very sad and my heart broke for you.
buying a fire truck sounds like a good idea, you bought a town. ideally an off road fire truck
@@OhSheetOnIt Water tower
Like Dmaxryno
You got this!
I have just found you today bingewatched till this point I am so heart broken about the American hotel I'm going to donate some money once I get paid I want to be a part of this 😊
Maybe the fire was a blessing in disguise. Sure some things were lost that can’t be replaced but it not only will make the place safer but it has given you direction and focus. I got the impression before that you were jumping around a bit from project to project but now you have a clearly defined goal. The hotel could be what brings the whole town back to restoration long term. A Phoenix rising from the ashes as it were.
Hard as it is, maybe the fire was a good thing. It happened at a time when no-one was there so no-one was hurt. How terrible it would have been if there had been people staying there who were killed or injured in life changing ways! Now you have the opportunity to make a much safer building & to take the other precautions you have thought of to make it safer for yourself & visitors.
I Found You From Sam And Colby..I Am So Sorry For Your Loss..Such A Damn Tragedy 😣💞Much Love To You
I was in that hotel getting drunk on wine at the bar January 1980. The owners had recently purchased the hotel. The wine was left from the previous owners No power no beer. Watching the bartender blowing the dust of the bottles was quite the experience. We left at dusk. Temperature dropped to 38 F. We put the top up on our trusty VW Thing making way to the highway. Suddenly the top blew off at 50mph. Went back picked it up it was shredded. That 4 hour trip back to Vegas with the false sense of warmness was quite brutal.
Good luck on your project. There are lots of good people out there and hope your luck changes as you move forward.
@@Hanzyscure That's a cool but crazy story..that's so awesome you were there in the 80s💞
I have so much respect for your energy and resilience.
Wow. You really have vision! So impressed by your project.
Get a tractor, wagon and big ass tank and pump. Tractor would be super handy by itself too
Hey I believe you can hook up a smoke detector to and alarm bell or other signal device for your other buildings and the one your in be safe up there. Positive positive
Look at it like this your rebuilding something our ancestors could have done for their daily life hey man god bless you man
There is some wonderful people in this world. Delighted your getting the help.
I bet you could get all kinds if help if you reached out to nearby Universities and Trade Schools that would be happy to send volunteer students with a professor looking to get hands on experience in their field of study.
All the best to you. I wish i could do more than subscribe, watch and like your videos but i really hope to visit your dream place one day. Go for it man. I'm rooting for you! Love from the Netherlands
Thank you!
So great to see the help you're getting. And that you have the plans so you can rebuild. Thanks for keeping us advised. Your story is inspiring.
So glad you are rebuilding, take care xx
Sorry to hear about the fire... But, the metal could be sold as "scrap-metal" which pays really well... At least it will be something instead of junking it for $0.... #JesusBless~
His driveway is 7miles long...do you think it will be even worth the Gas and time to deliver the scrap to the yard?
Scrap doesn't really pay that much. I mean if you are homeless or can't find work it is better than nothing. But not really worth taking all of that somewhere.
Hope all is well!! Do you have anymore crerro Gordo ghost stories?
Good goal!
So glad you got volunteers.
I cried watching the last video, All I can say is: if it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger.
And the tragedy just made people more passionate to this project. It has brought a new life and history to Cerro Gordo.
Love all the way from East Africa
Obviously, get an electrician to “fine tooth comb” everything and every building there. Those type of disasters are over!!
How can the city charge you money for the permits and taxes but they dont provide you a fire department or even fire suppression supplies? Why does the city or county even have any say over what you do when they dont provide you with anything of merit?
I love listening to your ideas on how to turn this negative situation around! I'm so excited to watch the rebuild of this hotel and beautiful town
heartbreaking!!! What an amazing positive road you have taken on reclaiming material and buried history. Sometimes bad things are a blessing but you don't see it until much later.