A California ghost town has sold for $1.4 million and it was only fitting that the deal was struck on Friday the 13th, The San Francisco Chronicle noted.
The 19th-century town of Cerro Gordo, which spans 300 acres across the Inyo Mountains just outside of Lone Pine, first became popular in 1896 after word got out that rich veins of silver had been discovered running through the area, according to the town’s website.
The town has been preserved as an historical landmark for decades by private owners who, when listing the property for sale in June for $925,000, were hoping to find buyers with a shared passion for the site.
“We did have higher offers, however the sellers really liked the buyers' proposal and liked the buyers' plan,” said listing agent Jake Rasmuson of Bishop Real Estate, added that the date of sale was coincidental, albeit “very fitting for the property.”
Brent Underwood, founder of the youth hostel HK Austin, and Jon Bier, CEO of a public relations firm catering to athletes, teamed up with investors to buy the town, the Chronicle said.
The town looks like a scene out of Westworld.
There are nearly 22 buildings in total, which include the Belshaw bunkhouse, hoist house and superintendents house, according to a property listing.
The previous owners have ensured that the land was protected from diggers, artifact looters and natural elements, with many buildings having been restored over the years.
Speaking about the purchase to CNN, Underwood said he wanted to buy the town because of its historical significance.
“It isn't often you're entrusted to maintain such an interesting part of American history,” he said. "The town is so rich in history and has impacted so many lives.”
He said they planned to “renovate a select number of the existing buildings to a point we'd be comfortable hosting people for long periods of time.”
The idea is to “create a new destination,” that maintains the “historic nature of the property while introducing amenities that will allow more people to enjoy the location.”
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