Tap to unmute
4.5 Years Living In An Abandoned Ghost Town
Embed
- Published on Mar 4, 2026
- Thank you all for an amazing 4.5 years up here at Cerro Gordo. In this video there is an American Hotel update, a water update, new minerals refined, and a whole lot more! Hope you enjoy!
Want more stories from Cerro Gordo and other 'ghost towns'? Join my email list - it’s where I share new discoveries, interesting history, behind-the-scenes photos, and things I don’t post anywhere else: cerrogordo.kit...
You can follow my journey on Instagram: / brentwunderwood
Cerro Gordo T-Shirts and more: store.cerrogor...
Mailing Address: PO Box 490, Lone Pine, CA 93545
Thank you all so much!!
Dude you took a dirty, dead dry side of a mountain & brought it back to life from a history long forgotten. Hands down you are the mayor, sheriff, real estate agent, store owner, historian & on & on. God bless & know that what you've done is mind-blowing & very impressive & inspiring.
Amen
I could not have said it any better. Perfectly articulated. Thank you. He most certainly has an "old west" soul. I'll never visit the town, but I am blessed beyond belief to see if through his eyes and heart.
I'd love to build you several lamps for your hotel made from all the broken glass and bottles you and your team have found around the town and mines. Just give me an ideal about the number of lamps you want or need. I love making lamps and using old or broken glass is my favorite hobbies.
@marktitus8516try emailing Brent. He will probably never see your reply to a random comment this late in a videos run.
When Brent is long gone....It's never pretty or maybe it is. I expect he is less than sixty yrs. old. I liked to dig little diches to make water flow. I hope he can somehow find a link to water. That would be so wonderful. Water is important.
What's mind boogling about this channel, is that I remember the first videos when Brent JUST moved in. I never saw a moment of fear of being where he is. And now it's been almost 5 years. It's been a journey, a leap of faith, and now we're still here. Congratulations !
Crazy, right?! Like, you almost wonder how it's all possible?
Like where did/does all the money come from to make it possible and what did he do he before Cerro Gordo?
Almost like he was employed in finance with friends with a lot of money,
But I'm just talkin' crazy.
That all this was NOT done consciously. Knowing you would be watching and viewers would respond as they have. It's all just so heart warming.
It's all just like it appears.
'Cause that's normally how life works ... right?
@MarcoMasseria my conspiracy theories senses are tingling
@GabrielCoarna20 No sir. You will find the story behind "Peter Pan flying" at Cerro Gordo without too much time at all.
Isn't the story amazing?
Why don't more do it?
...
Money.
Same here, I remember when he first moved there. No water, no power, crappy roads, etc. It's impressive how far it's come.
@Zephyrr11 Yep. Pretty amazing. I wonder what his long term plan is? It seems like he sure does have a couple bucks to invest. I mean, wouldn't you like to do something similar?
I can’t believe it’s already been 4.5 years. I remember starting to watch these videos back during the start of Covid. Now here we are nearly 5 years later
Legit.. same
Same here!
same bro, its so cool to see the growth even if seems slow at times
time flies and never forgives :(
Same here 🇵🇭
BRENT! Install a high head 5 gpm "SUBMERSIBLE" pump directly in the reservoir where currently you installed the little sump pump. Incorporate a float switch for low water shut off. Incorporate storage reservoir up top with another float switch interrupting circuit to down below! This multiple pump operation is not necessary! You're driving me nuts with every water episode!
I'll be in the area this winter.
I'm a 42 year pump/mechanical/ electrical contractor. This should be simple and reliable, I CAN HELP! LOL
yea as a journeyman pipefitter this looks like a very easy situation to remedy...just need the right people
Its a Wild West Town - needs a proper elevated water tower. Insulated metal with vintage wood lining with the Cerro Gordo Mining Company logo on it.
@dennisfahey2379 THIS!!!!! Brent can def do this himself too!
up
UP!
I remember 4 and a half years ago seeing this crazy dude buy a ghost town and I was enthralled. He was embarking on the journey that all of us who have grown up with Minecraft fantasize about and I was so jealous. I kept up with his progress, all the way until the tragic fire took out the hotel. It was so devastating even though it wasn’t mine and I truly couldn’t watch anymore. Thank god Brent is the crazy bastard who bought this ghost town, because after watching this video it all makes sense. It’s almost poetic that the most prized feature burned down, because what else would have had such an epic journey of recovery. The town is almost testing you, and I think you’re passing with flying colors. Much support bro you rock
At some point, you'll have to stop calling it an abandoned ghost town😄.
Aye. It may still be a ghost town, but it certainly isn't abandoned!
It’s ghost town living for a reason he’s living in an old ghost town 😂
It’s provocative click bait. What he is really doing is, as he stated, bringing life back to a dead town.
Hey Brent , I grew up in the desert and was raised in the mountains , I’m 50 years old now and I would love a change of pace , I’m a very skilled carpenter and have built many buildings and homes , is there any way I could come out and help you guys and get the change that I need ?
Go for it! Help transform the town and heal your soul at the same time.
He has volunteer signups on his website as well as being pretty active on his social media. I’d definitely try those avenues if I were you. Great luck!
How very generous of you! If it works out, it may be a blessing for you both. Good luck.
Hope he sees your comment! 🙌
This is just crazy… Over 4 years you’ve explored almost every foot of the Union mine and Rebuilding the Hotel All while also telling a bit of history. It’s been a honor watching all this progress over 4 years.
Nowhere near exploring all of the union mine, but that's why I keep coming back
Yes, he did it all by himself.
When the American Hotel burned down I thought you'd pack it in. I can't believe it's standing again and with a roof and everything. Congratulations on all you've accomplished in Serra Gordo!
Its kinda crazy to think that a fair few of us were here watching the start of your journey, eagerly waiting for the monthly videos of you settling in, the early trials and tragedies, your milestones, you've come so far from just spending everything to come out to a forgotten patch of history on a mountain. Heres hoping to decades more, thanks for sharing your journey with us Brent.
Something fun you could do with the brass , is that you could make the keys t the different hotel rooms out of Cerro Gordo brass, if you wanna get adventurous you could even have have a different key material for each room. I certainly thin that would be an awesome thing if I ever were to stay in The American Hotel :)
should get the lock picking lawyer to make the locks and keys for the doors😀
Or brass souvenir tokens or coins.
Would have to put a pretty high deposit on the keys to be returned if that were the case, people would take them otherwise
Theres lots of good uses for brass😏
I think a small brass bell for the bar would be cool. Or a brass entryway bell.
I remember the first video. Time flies. Keep up the good work!
Yeah, I still remember when it popped out on Home feed. Damn times really flies quick huh?
I found and watched his second video first. Everyone locked themselves up inside their houses and there was nothing else to do but find this channel.
@Brent I'm just a poor old man & have been following you ever since the first video you made about Cerro Gordo And have enjoyed every video along the way I just wish i could afford to show more support & some day visit you up there but with my bad health and not many years of life left I know i'll never be able to afford a trip out there even though I know the air would help my health so much but at least watching every show you get a little support from youtube It's the best support i can offer ! God gave you a purpose and you found it & it has made you a better man & your happiness shows in every video ! Thank you for bringing us all along ! God Bless !
I am in the same boat. What a great life he is living. It is nice that you are sharing your experiences with the rest of us.
You are doing something great, important too. I am an Historian, and revel in the discovery of the past, the people who breathed life into it. You are a very strong, very intriguing man, who is bending the world. Love it!
The love you have for that hotel. You really understand the value of third spaces in community man. What a wonderful experience. thank you for the video.
Damn this is crazy I remember watching you 3 years ago for the first time ever on Sam and Colby 🙏🏻 keep up the journey
I’ve watched him since he started
Corridor Crew brought me here
I always say, "Hello there!" with you like I am a kid again reciting the intro to my favorite kids show. Love ya, Brent! Can't wait to watch this one fully. Cheers!
Hahah, HELLO THERE
@GhostTownLiving Hello there! :D
@GhostTownLiving You should take a serious look into rain water collection with all the roof metal surfaces you have. It could help your drinking water needs . Thanks for another great video 👍
@mhughes1160the amount of rain the town gets vs the cost of necessary supplies probably is to far apart for that to make sense in his situation. He barely has ground water, and its a desert type of landscape, so there cant be much rain.
Me too!! I’ve been here for years and the “Hello there!” Is so sincere and happy! Who else hits “like” right when you hit play! 😄👍🏼✨
🔔 Are you going to make a bell with your brass? 🔔
Your face is beginning to show the long focus of sight that the deep desert imparts to those of us who belong there. It suits you. Keep up the good work, and you will reward the rest of humanity with your work.
This may be one of the most interesting channels I’ve found in a long time
Be cool to see more people trying to restore old towns
This is the only RUclips channel that does 45 minutes that I watch the entire length and love it
Make a brass plaque for the opening of the new hotel
Can't believe it's been 4 and a 1/2 years. I've been watching from the beginning.Need to make a trip up there
4 YEARS ALREADY!? I remember watching the first video of this! I can’t believe it’s been so long! Congratulations on the success! 🔥
Brent, thank YOU for sticking with us! It would be easier to just do, and not reach out. We've watched you push yourself to learn new things, socialize with all kinds of people, and figure out great ways to produce income. The marathons, the game, the YT videos and your book are all just ways of connecting. Bravo for your creativity and perseverance.
If you haven't read Ghost town living great book👍💛😁
I'll second that. Excellent read -- worth twice the price!
@eugenefleming1614 and if you haven't ordered a Hoodie they really are awesome too! Honored to support Brent's work🫡
bots
There's a good chance he's already read his own book
I still can't wait to get it. I've bought it year ago (pre-premiere) on Amazon and it still hasn't arrived.
I can not believe it's been 4 and a half years!! This is the first channel I've seen from the first upload to now. Starting from getting stuck on the road with your little truck, and now you're going several hundred feet below ground on the regular. It's been great watching Cerro Gordo come back to life, and your own personal growth, thanks for taking us on this trip with you!
I've just binged your last 4.5 years in a week. It's been the most welcome distraction given....*gestures broadly at the world*. I cried with you wen the hotel burned, I lit up every time you found a new spur mine, and I worried every time you went somewhere insane, which was pretty often, even thought I knew you made it out ok.
THANK YOU for every twist and turn, every heartbreak and triumph.
I grew up in a CA mining town (Mariposa) and also lived and worked in Yosemite Valley. SO MANY trips to Lee Vining, Mammoth, Bodie, the Bristlecone pines, the many stray hidden hot tubs of the Owens River valley... I'm reminded of my childhood finding and exploring old mines and stamp mills always imagining life back then just as you do. Your enthusiasm for Cerro Gordo makes me feel seen! Haha I'm in NM now, and I would so enjoy a stay at the hotel once its finished. I have a couple decades experience in hotel/bar/restaurant management and a huge love for what you do.
Have you considered listing your town for filming locations?
If I may suggest! Getting puzzles made of awesome shots that you've taken to sell! This would bring a little more money to work on the town. I hope you consider, a lot of us enjoy puzzles. As always, love the updates.
Amazing how quickly time wanders by. I remember catching your adventure when you first bought the town, and then your snowy trip up the mountain and getting stuck. The tragic hotel fire... You have done so well during this time. Amazing.
FINALLY! Brent, I've been wanting news of the hotel roof since last winter, not to mention the studio. While I have enjoyed your travels and adventures of the neighboring mines and old camps, I have really missed getting updates and seeing the progress, growth and challenges at Sierra Gordo. I've been watching since you began 4 years ago and although it's been slow, it's been steady. You have proven you're in this for the long haul. I'm both proud and impressed.
Hope to visit someday soon and lend a little country/blues harmonica music to the rarefied air of the SG along with any good ol' country pickers and players.
Thanks Brent! I love your videos! Hope to visit someday!
Brent is a great guy.Cerro Gordo is truly a unique place.Wish u lots of success for the future.God Speed🙏🙏
I've been watching with awe since Brent moved there almost 5 years ago wishing i could join him and help bring this wonderful town back to life. You've done a great job, Brent. Through many hardships, you have endured. Thank you for sharing your dreams and adventures.
Thank you for the kind note!
Brent please would you consider putting up a live feed web cam in the town , would be very popular
A live feed at the pond would be awesome!
i would put it on my living room tv a lot i think it's a great idea i dont know how easy it is to do or how much bandwidth he has to use for internet
Make it members only. 😉
I like live cams but I also think they get used to do crime. Might be best not to.
He could make it subscription or channel member based for added security.
Spring would probably be a better time to get that going.
Hotel looks nice
40 min felt like 5 min.
Very intresting. (as usual)
I was just thinking about this channel and remembered a guy living in a ghost town. Glad to see it back again.
Somewhere in your plans you will need a greenhouse to protect your garden food. Now that you have water, maybe aquaponics might work. ❤
Great things can occur through hard work. It is so wonderful that your persistence is paying off. 😎🍺🇨🇦
If you have internet down there you should have a camera at the pool
Don't have to have internet, could run a LAN wire.
@itsdeanyaso like a CAT6? I’ve been substituting fiber for remote runs instead or wire. It has superior performance over copper.
He installed interned capabilities 8 months ago.
@itsdeanyathat's a loong way down for a lan cable, the max is 100m/328feet. With a couple boosters it might work, but im not sure how much bandwith would be left.. coax cable would be better in this case (300-500m)
@Jesse06_NL there is coax running down to the 900ft level for communications. He is setting up a base camp to dig through to lower levels.
crazy early! just read your book again! its amazing
Wow, thank you! Very early!
You are the only the only reason I know of Cerro Gordo! You are awesome Brent! Keep it up please!
I remember stumbling upon your channel during shut down and kept watching your videos and seeing the hotel being burnt down to now almost being done building a new hotel is amazing! Congratulations to you!
Welcome back! Thanks for checking in on the progress
Brent, the way you ended this video is amazing. Gratitude is a powerful currency and at the very least, is a powerful builder of good will…
Best wishes to you and your dreams!
Dang man, I remember your first few videos. This is crazy.
A Camera down in the Mine at the Water Source might be very helpful, Brent.. What a Great Accomplishment that is Ever Growing you have embarked on there!!
You are always such and awesome story teller. You missed that calling.
Animals, minerals, and water - oh my! This is one of my favourite Ghost Town videos. So lovely to see you realizing your dreams. 💕
You're living a bless life buddy keep it up 👍
I remember when you first bought the town yearrrs ago! I cant believe how far you've came!!!
Have you considered pumping it up to a water tower
Gosh, Brent is such a wise, witty and resourceful man. I so much enjoy this channel....! Thank you!
The elevator into the tunnel is so scary! It must cost a ton to keep it working.
Keep living the best life. Love the vids ❤.
Is your water tested for purity? I would recommend you put in above ground or below grown storage tanks for your your town that won't freeze with a water treatment plan for drinking & bathing..
Water is so key to a sustainable existence there. I'm so glad to see a significant breakthrough. Cudos to the guys that designed and implemented this and kudos to you being the driving force that gets these things to happen. Keep on keeping on!
D'Angelo brought me here!!! This channel is an absolute treasure trove
I remember the first time I watched your videos 4 years ago, wondering doubting if you'll make it there. And there you are right now still thriving, what a dedicated man. Congratulations for keeping it up!!!!
Wow, 4 years already! Time has flown. Love the pond, it would be neat to hook an outdoor camera facing the pond to record the wildlife that comes to the pond at night. The hotel is looking beautiful. Cheers!
Very glad to hear your water 💧 problem is getting fixed... I ❤ the fact that you ❤ animals too. I enjoy seeing the ones that you enjoy having on your property! Gotta ❤ The Animals!
Please keep showing us your family of furry friends on your videos! Do you any cats or dogs?
🤗
A little waterproof light inside the water would be really cool and majestic and you could sit by the water at night look at the stars look at the water man I wish I could go there
The ultimate best slow-burn movie ever. I've absolutely loved seeing every episode since day 1.
Time flies. I've been following you all through from Kitui County, in Kenya East Africa.
This project took half a lifetime of energy, but with the water and the hotel; the town will no longer be abandoned. From now on it's going to be fun, and I wish you
all the best.
A historic brass plaque for the American Hotel? 🤔❤️
Great! Congratulations! You can put a camera on the "pool".
You need snow/rain water collection
I still remember finding this channel when you posted the video "I bought an abandoned mining town" or something along those lines. I have been following since and am so happy for you man. Im a vegas local and I fully intend on coming to see that hotel once it opens. Keep up the hard work, and stay safe!
Any updates on the recording studio, the cabins, church, etc.?
Brent first off I wanted to say I love every half year year update you do. I’ve been here since day one! Secondly I just pre ordered the board game can’t wait to get my coin pin and board game and become a ghost town miner in my home state of MA! Keep up the good work, keep your head held high, and know there is a big community that loves you and what you do sir
Been here since the first month, it's crazy how much has changed.
Having ghost town living withdrawals here lol…. Can’t wait for a new video! Hubs and I binged every video! ❤
With the recent mine shaft elevator accident- I would love for you to talk a little about your elevator systems / how they work and elevator safety.
Damn i have been watching 41/2 years? It seems like just a short while...
Congratulations on all you’ve accomplished and thank you for taking us on the journey, we’ve watched from the beginning ❤Blessings
Time sure does go by quickly ! 👍
You should make the front door key for the American hotel out of your own brass.
Make it a fancy looking key.❤
30:57 You really ought to think about putting up some canvas shade covers over the water so that it helps to keep the water from evaporating too quickly.
@RealNephalem Depends on the water, and the minerals and elements within the water. Mining unlocks toxic elements, and he said that water is not potable (drinkable). I'm not sure than swimming or bathing in that water is a good idea. Could he implement some kind of filtration system for the water to make it drinkable/swimmable, probably, but at what cost?
@RealNephalem Maybe. I'm not suggesting he build a pool this large, but let's say you have a 20 foot by 40 foot pool with a deep end 11 feet deep and a shallow end 4 feet deep. You would need 44k gallons of water to fill that.
It took him several weeks to pull 4,000 gallons of water out of the mine...
This means that whatever pool he builds will need to be very small. Maybe a hottub would be doable.
@PrincessNephalemwhy don’t you build your own swimming pool instead of trying to get everyone else to do it -or you could use a public facility!!!
🚫🤡
You’ve done so many things in 4+ years, while I feel stagnant in my life. Watching you definitely pushes me to greater things
Congratulations on these monumental milestones Brent!!! So happy for you to see so much progress.
I have a suggestion that I personally would find to be an awesome gift idea, but how about a rock and mineral set? Very easy to make, but gives everyone a chance to put their hands on the rocks and minerals you mine there? I'm by NO means an expert, not even an amateur, but a rock hound non-the-less! I also, just like you, love to learn through research and experimentation, and I AM a hobby jewelry and crafts maker. I can see the smallest samples potentially bringing high value and support for your efforts there. I would love to see that from you! Thanks for what your doing... I said before, it's one of my dreams your living, so I appreciate the content, but all your efforts!
We are working on just that! Thank you!
Hi, me again,
Due to your closing statement, what do your parents think of your reviving Cerro Gordo? Have they visited ❤and seen all your hard work? Les.
Brent, I’ve been watching your videos since you started loading your videos on RUclips. I live in Bakersfield and I admire everything that you do and thank you for bringing back the history of the town and explaining it what it was and what it is now.
I absolutely love what you are doing.... Talk about having a dream and living it. Thank you for bringing life back to the place.
Normal is overrated.
Embrace it.
I really enjoy seeing the ghost town because it is in an awesome
area up there in the mountains and the most beautiful looking
scenic views everywhere you look. it is definitely an awesome
ghost town and until next time thank you.🏘️🇺🇲🏘️
You are such a badass !!!
I remember your first walk up there,having to stay in the small snowed in shack.Crazy...
Brass and bronze are great metals for pouring into molds. Start with something small and simple like a pin or small statue.
Great story. Living the dream.
🙏 Safety and Strength.
Love your book and I'm so glad that your documenting this town that you care about so much. It's actually inspiring
I’ve been watching from the beginning. I remember when you first started making videos talking about this special place. Congratulations on the progress and success. Wow it doesn’t seem that long lol
Just watched this after taking a hiatus from RUclips, because the kids took over. I hope you made a belt buckle with the Brass after the "Tinkering". And also seeing the hotel transform since I started watching at the beginning of Covid makes me so happy for you! Way to live man! Glad you have so many good people behind you to help make the dream a reality. I hope to visit with my family at some point.
It would be really cool if you could come up with enough brass to make room numbers for the hotel. I'm stoked to hear about the roof and the water situation, Brent!
Cooler would be brass Balls to depict the courage, tenacity needed to make a Ghost Town come back alive.
I’ve watched your journey from the beginning….major respect and admiration don’t even begin to tell you how I feel about your ethic, determination and perseverance. I’ve cried both happy and sad tears. I’ve bubbled over with pride for you and your accomplishments after watching the much awaited monthly videos. I hang on the edge of my seat with each adventure into the mine shaft or even nearby areas you’ve visited. I’ve bought galena, your book and now your board game. I get giddy when I see you’ve posted and no matter what I’m doing, I stop and watch to see all the news you’re sharing with us, like a little girl…..and I’m fast approaching belonging to “the ancient ones” generation. What a joy you’ve been and a refreshing part of my day. You, sir, have given not only me, but a large part of the entire world hope for humanity as we watch the community you have built. I listen to your thoughts at the end of the videos and know there truly is hope and for that, I congratulate you and thank you more than words can express!! ❤❤❤
Ditto want he said.
love from germany.... i havent watch in a long time but i watched when u started ..... i dunno i kinda need to life there my life is wreck i need it . i dont need money... i used to be an elektrition i could be of help
Your videos feel like a warm hug and they fill my mind with kind thoughts. Thanks so much.
Thank you! That is very kind
i cant believe how much progress has been made over the years. its amazing