Paranormal investigators traveled to an old miner’s ghost city close to Death Valley referred to as Cerro Gordo, Spanish for ‘Fat Hill.’ In the late 1800s, the high-altitude mountain city was a hotspot within the California gold and silver rush. Millions in silver from the mines established somewhat place referred to as Los Angeles, 200 miles south.
During the peak of the push, the Wild West city averaged one homicide per week with frequent shootouts and no police. The risks prolonged by means of thirty miles of tunnels over 1000 toes underground. Untold numbers of miners had been killed in cave-ins and fuel explosions, and a few by no means got here out once more.
The inhabitants was as soon as round 4,000, however by the Nineteen Fifties, it was deserted. The city, together with a two-story American Hotel and saloon, went empty, and the city was home to 1 resident, the caretaker. In 2018, two traders purchased the property for $1.4 million. That’s when the ghost sightings ramped up once more.
Image of Cerro Gordo by way of YouTube
Ghost Sightings at Cerro Gordo
With such a historical past of violence, it’s no surprise the place earned a fame as a ghost city. Upon arriving, proprietor Brent Underwood and guests claimed to have skilled paranormal exercise themselves. Underwood noticed somebody, presumably a ghost, contained in the city’s Bunkhouse, the oldest construction and a hotspot for paranormal exercise.
Previously, guests within the 80s reported listening to sounds of individuals walking and shifting round loudly within the American Hotel, then rented for $99 a day.
One of the reoccurring ghost sightings is a mysterious lady in black at one of many city’s two brothels. Thought to be a girl named Lola Travis, she might seem and reappear at will.
Woman in black, screenshot by way of YouTube
A Resident Ghost Cat
Another apparition was a ghost cat who reportedly jumped on the mattress with a visiting couple within the Bunkhouse. A person awoke to see his spouse speaking to a cat and making the motions of petting the invisible animal. Later, they each noticed a cat leaving the room, however on the time, no cat was recognized to dwell on the premises.
Screenshot of Phil and Jess by way of YouTube
On Expedition X, paranormal investigators Phil and Jess laid down in the identical Bunkhouse the place the ghost cat was seen. Jess referred to as for the cat, saying, “Here kitty, kitty!” Then, they acquired a giant shock!
A black cat jumped on the mattress the place Jess was calling, practically giving the 2 “a heart attack,” Phil mentioned. Although stunning, it was simply the resident black cat, Radio. Nobody knew that Radio had ventured into the building on the time and it triggered fairly a fright!
Since 2018, Mayor Underwood lived alone with Radio, his siblings, and several other goats as his solely companions.
Brent Underwood along with his kitties at Cerro Gordo. Image by way of YouTube/PBS
After establishing surveillance gear, the investigators discovered unusual shifting lights close to the Bunkhouse, however there have been no indicators of any animal tracks close by.
Video clip by WotNot about Expedition X Season 6 Episode 5, “Ghost Town”:
Skinny the Ghost Bag Kitty of Cerro Gordo
Former actress Jody Stewart was a earlier proprietor and restorer of Cerro Gordo, turning it into “the only ghost town bed and breakfast in the word,” in accordance with the worldwide press.
Described as “an outgoing, middle-aged woman with Dolly Parton hair and Western outfits” by the LA Times, she purchased the property in 1984 from her uncle.
Jody Stewart at Cerro Gordo by way of Facebook/Friends of Cerro Gordo
According to the Friends of Cerro Gordo, “when Jody was alive, the felines ruled.” An orange tabby, Miss Priss was “Queen of the American Hotel.”
After Stewart handed away, a tabby and white cat named Skinny Cat turned the topic of a booklet, “Ghost Bag Kitty of Cerro Gordo.” He acquired on the desk as folks ready flowers for Jody’s memorial within the American Hotel eating corridor. Suddenly, the wind blew open the doorways, and a plastic bag appeared to return to life, floating by means of an aisle of chairs set out for the memorial service.
Skinny the Ghost Bag Kitty of Cerro Gordo and Miss Priss by way of Facebook/Friends of Cerro Gordo
That’s when onlookers realized Skinny was contained in the bag and shouted to assist him, however he ran off and disappeared. They searched and searched however solely discovered the bag. Later, Skinny turned up hiding underneath a porch and earned the nickname of the Ghost Bag Kitty.
The Cats of Cerro Gordo
You can be taught extra about “Ghost Town Living” as Brent Underwood has lived in Cerro Gordo, renovating it with volunteers for over three and a half years. Now, cats, goats, and Alpacas dwell within the distant city. Perhaps the resident ghost cat is comfortable to have some new buddies?
Brent Underwood with the rescued kittens
In 2020, Underwood launched seven new feline residents. They had been rescued kittens taken in from a farmer after their feral mom died. All needed to be bottle-fed by the city’s primary resident and mayor.
Video by Ghost Town Living:
