Cerro Gordo is a former settlement in

Inyo County Inyo County () is a county in the eastern central part of the U.S. state of California, located between the Sierra Nevada and the state of Nevada. In the 2020 census, the population was 19,016. The county seat is Independence. Inyo County is ...

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

, and was primarily a silver mining town based around the

Cerro Gordo Mines The Cerro Gordo Mines are a collection of abandoned mines located in Cerro Gordo in the Inyo Mountains, Inyo County, near Lone Pine, California. Mining operations spanned 1866 to 1957, producing high grade silver, lead, and zinc ore; and, mo ...

. At its height, hundreds of dwellings dotted the landscape, while miners sought their fortunes.

History

Cerro Gordo ("Fat Hill" in Spanish) got its name from Mexicans, who regularly searched the area for silver. Mining officially began in 1865 after its discovery by Pablo Flores; by 1867 the word had spread, and scores of prospectors had arrived seeking fortune. In 1866, local businessman Victor Beaudry had opened a store, as well as acquiring several mining claims, including partial interest to the lucrative Union Mine. By 1869, Cerro Gordo was the largest producer of silver and lead in the nation; teams of mules would travel between Cerro Gordo and Los Angeles, California. In its peak, the town was home to several mines, hundreds of structures (most were of the ramshackle variety), bars, a general store, and hotel. The isolated nature of the town led to much lawlessness, as gunfights were recorded in its time. The prosperity of Cerro Gordo was short lived; by 1877 a fire raged throughout the mines, burning down much of the infrastructure. Falling silver and lead prices were the final straw, and most of the inhabitants left as quickly as they came. The town briefly came back to life for a few decades, starting in 1905, as it was used for zinc processing. The town was left mostly abandoned, save for a few caretakers who stayed behind. The

ghost town A ghost town, deserted city, extinct town, or abandoned city is an abandoned settlement, usually one that contains substantial visible remaining buildings and infrastructure such as roads. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economi ...

of Cerro Gordo was purchased for 1.4 million dollars in June 2018 with the intent to turn it into a tourist attraction, accessed by special permission. At that time, it had several vintage buildings, including the general store and . The buyers, Brent Underwood and Jon Bier, purchased the property with additional Los Angeles-based investors. The American Hotel, an icehouse, and a residence were destroyed in a suspected electrical fire on June 15, 2020. Despite these challenges, in 2021 Underwood said he was still committed to the project. The new structure was completed in 2025.

Accessibility

Cerro Gordo is accessible by an 8-mile dirt utility road; use of a 4WD vehicle is recommended, but the road can be navigated in a 2WD vehicle.

References

External links

Cerro Gordo Mines
{{Authority control Former settlements in Inyo County, California Former populated places in California Ghost towns in California

History

Accessibility

See also

References

External links