Bodie, CA: A Ghost Town Frozen In Time
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ส.ค. 2024
- This week I visited the abandoned mining town of Bodie, CA. Bodie was a gold mining boom town in the 1800s that shared some similar characters to Cerro Gordo.
Bodie was taken over the the State of California in 1962 and has since remained in a state of 'arrested decay.' I went there this week to learn a bit more about the town, it's caretakers, and the efforts they go to in order to preserve Bodie. There is a lot to learn from the experience at Bodie that I can translate back at Cerro Gordo!
If you aren't already, I hope you'll considering subscribing to this channel. Each week I put out a video about my restoration and exploration efforts here at Cerro Gordo.
You can also follow my journey on Instagram: / brentwunderwood
Cerro Gordo T-Shirts and more: store.cerrogordomines.com/
Mailing Address: PO Box 490, Lone Pine, CA 93545
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
My great great grandparents immigrated from Italy in the 20’s and they ended up in bodie. They owned a soft drink parlor before the big fire in the 30’s
That's Very Cool Family History, Evan. Love it! Any photos passed down by your family that you could share with everyone? : )
@@rockreader4298 i'd like to see it as well :D
@@beags9995, Stories such as yours are what we Love to read. It is both Fascinating and Exciting! : )
I admire the way that people made homes out of whatever materials they could get.
Liar
We visited Bodie when we were kids (my brother, sister, and I). It was a lot less touristy back then and a lot more accessible. My sister ended up finding a campaign badge for the 25th President, William McKinley. We took it to the museum in Bodie where they placed it in one of the display cases. It's more than likely still there! Very cool place!
So awesome for not keeping it
@Old West Baptist Preacher I am related to President McKinley also
@Old West Baptist Preacher me too!
@@RangerDanger66 so am I!
Exactly why it's more closed off to this day. You guys couldn't keep yourselves from digging around and touching things.
You’ll win, Brent. We will win, together. You have done an exemplary job preserving and exposing significant American history. You have a strong and passionate following. Carry that flag, brother.
indeeed!
They paid big money for the claims, legally and rightfully. Obviously the family who owned the land should have been more transparent!
Yes you have over a million people who have your back on this Brent!
I am new to your channel. Find it fascinating. Im curious how much did your town cost? And if you find anything like silver or gold is it yours. I guess im asking if you have mineral rights. Do you have rooms to rent yet? Or camping spots? I know that there are some vacations that people can take where they work at the place they go to. Like cleaning up the area or helping with preservation somehow
Indeed help preserve a place to move those Afghans into just like you those who came before you thought they on that land we're proving wrong when the water was moved away from that land in the big red hot poker was shoved up their ass
I can’t believe content like this is free
I'm guessing he makes quite a bit from monetization, usually about $4 per 1,000 views!
@@styler19721 even if he didn't, TH-cam makes money off of advertising to viewers no matter what, and they also make money from selling as much information about users to advertisers. No content on TH-cam is actually free.
You pay with your data....
DONT SAY THAT.
Brent, it is so amazing how you humanize history, reminding us of the people who once were, as well as the physical buildings still standing. Love your channel!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate that comment. I do my best and the videos help remind me of the same things haha
For those of us here since the beginning it's been really cool watching him mature into an almost sage like speaker and personality. Things were dragging along about the time he was having issues getting cement up there until one night when I was watching Heavy D's channel and he mentioned helping a guy in cerro gordo get cement to his property and I stood up and said What?... and when I realized he was going to help Brent I cheered like my football team scored the winning touchdown of a game. Some of us have been there for all the ups and downs and after the hotel fire we cried right along with Brent especially when he choked up on that video so it's been a crazy ride but finding this channel about the time covid started was a blessing for allot of us. If more men were like Brent this country would be a better place. I hope he has kids some day, he'll be an incredible dad and husband.
@@kenyoung1277 Thank you very much for that note. It means a lot.
@@kenyoung1277 Here, here!! A thousand cheers!
@Iron *Fe* ...yeah, that's just not true; time is liner we decided.
Brent, your narrative skills, clarity of focus, your appreciation of how history has shaped us, and how we can draw upon history to determine a better future, makes you a rare gem among TH-camrs. Well done! ... But I still get creeped out when you are in those old dilapidated mines. I keep reminding myself that you obviously made it out OK, because the video was posted!
Here's to each and every one of us hopefully one day getting to go to Cerro Gordo and hear Brent tell campfire stories...and show off DENIM obviously
I totally agree with you.
It's funny to see Brent stand in the same place, look through the same windows, doors, walk the same paths I walked 30 years ago. It's awe inspiring to see Bodie in person. They've done an excellent job with the preservation. Brent, you're on the right track so hang in there!
Me too Matt! I was there for the first time 50 years ago and remember looking at the same things.
@@tomhora4381 Me too with my girlfriend/wife back in the early 80's. We were actually hunting and took a side trip. I remember it being pretty dang cold, of course that was in September.
all his videos are like documentaries. they are so good!!
So true
Thanks for the tour of Bodie! And I hope that you can fend off the Canadians.
I'd love to get out to Cerro Gordo some time. I appreciate all walkable towns, especially those from the 19th century. 😉
@yes Very beautiful.
Keep up the good work too, Not Just Bikes
Hello ,you must be the proudest man around ,keep on saving the town . Ok now for mister Not Just Bike , well why fend off the Canadians ? Well it's a corporation in fault ,not all Canadians , have a nice day
I hope that Brent stands down and out of progresses way. People needs jobs, and the mines provides those good paying jobs. I fully support the mining industry.
@@Honorablebenaiaha Destroying history and nature, and mining for unnecessary reasons to make billionaires richer is not progress. No sympathy for modern mine workers, get a green job.
I love the music that plays in the background. So calming.
I think that every time! I could sleep listening to the music.
He’s got a very good eye for matching music to his videos
Would love to know what it is
I wish he'd post some links to the music.. its very soothing
You're a legend mate. You manage to put a lump in my throat everytime. Everytime.. You're ans excellent speaker/story teller. Cheers from Melbourne Australia.
I love how even in a state or extreme stress about loosing your town you don’t let that consume your mind and you still appreciate the history of what’s around you. You have an extremely strong mind beautiful way of being keep it up Brent ya keep us going.
Can't think of a better way to start the week then Cerro Gordo goodness!
It's the end of the week, it's Sunday
@@technoshaman001 it's Monday the 23rd in Australia
@@colbyjoe2 omg 🤯🤯 lol okay you got me there, I was wrong lol you're right🤷🏼
Guys living in the future
I love how Brent takes takes viewers from all over the world on a little adventure through this town and weaves an amazing narrative through each episode. Provides those of us on the other side of the world still stuck in lock down with the perfect little escape.
Sir you have captivated my imagination, just listening to you talk about the history of these two mining towns takes me to a relaxed pace of mind.
It makes me feel like I’m there 140 + years ago.
I say thank you for the escape you’ve provided in your amazing style of story telling.
Who needs the video (which is also amazing) with those narrative skills!
So good
I agree with you on how you are preserving the place. Their way is letting the lovely wood and nails and hardware go to waste. Those items can repair and restore a special building
One of my favorite videos of yours! It’s not so popular, but there is something about this one. Nostalgic, reflective and philosophical…
You should run for whatever office in government can put a stop to such operations.
You are a stellar candidate.
He would have to move away from cerro gordo, also he already has a lot on his hands with all the building, paperwork, animals and specially youtube and all that comes with being a content creator on the internet
@Nicklas Denhus Internet Gravestone Channel because the he could enforce/ change the laws that threaten his town.
@@helenaap2042 I don't see why he would have to move away .
Control of such activities comes under the :
WPCP, BMRR, NDEP.
Yo brent i just want you to know i appreciate everything you do and how much you care for a place that i would have never seen if it wasn't for your channel....
@Not RickRoll 👇 j I don't mess with people like you but what I like to do is report them for under aged child abuse just like I just did
@yeahnothing calm and peaceful about this religion.
I absolutely Love that there are both types of Ghost town experiences.
You possess great wisdom and a rare ability to get across your thoughts and emotions in such a clear and enchanting way. I applaud your courage and tenacity and look forward to seeing your story unfold each week. Despite your problems you always manage to leave me with a sense of peace and a way to see through any small problems I may have. Thank you Brent, you probably have no idea how many lives you have deeply touched in one way or another.
Thanks for putting it into words
Congratulations on your CBS Sunday Morning segment about you and Cerro Gordo. I'm with you in the fight against open pit mining around Cerro Gordo!
I love this Dude! I hope somebody helps him in this fight!!! We need more people like this man.
I've been to Bodie three times....always with someone new to the town experience, but this is the best depiction of the vision I've always wanted to share. Thank you
I saw you on the news today. Congrats, that's national recognition and hope it works in your favor to save Cerro Gordo.
Good evening. This is Ted from Texas. I definitely look forward to seeing your show. I've done my share to help you out. I went to the Bureau of Land Management filed a complaint about the open pit mine proposal. I definitely want to come to your town as well as booties someday stay safe and good luck my friend
Brent, you are definitely one of the great storytellers and guardians of history of our generation! Thanks for your efforts!
Wonder how Brent comes up with his deep dialogue. I love hearing his perspective on life, items people use, and his mind clearing adventures ❤
This is so cool Brent! I am 16 years old and I'm from Denmark. like three years ago I was on a great vacation in the US. We landed in LA and experienced some of the beauty of the west coast. We also went to Bodie! That's I especially have enjoyed following your journey. Thank you for the great content! I will love to visit some time!
Brent I love the way you tell a story! #savecerrogordo together we can do this! We got your back !! ❤️
Wow. What a wonderful glance of somebody else's worldview. What a deep reflexion about the meaning of life and the imminent act of death. I love these videos. THANK YOU BRENT.
A canadian co going to open pit gold the money frpm that a certain amount should be given to sierra gordo and bowdie to rebuild the town to original
Bodie best ghost town in the West. Thanks for the great tour...
You can read about history
You can listen to someone talk about history
BUT
you can’t replicate what it feels like to touch , smell and see the environment. Only then can you appreciate how your country is what it is today .
That’s priceless
Deb
Australia
I'm glad to see you went to Bodie! My wife and I visited there during our honeymoon, it really is incredible. We stayed a couple of days in Bishop, hiked the Methuselah trail in Bristlecone Pine Forest, hiked up to Sabrina Lake, and then spent a day wandering around Bodie on our way back toward Tahoe. I hope you were able to make some connections with people who can help you fight off this pit mine nonsense, and I look forward to visiting Cerro Gordo. Cheers, Brent!
I love American History, but I never thought of researching or watching anything on American Mining History until I found your channel. Thank you for opening my eyes to even more American History that I truly enjoy. I am hooked.
Before last sunday I've never heard of Cerro Gordo, I've discovered your youtube channel thanks to the swiss TH-camr Le Gand JD who recommended it and not even a week later I've binge watched all your videos and the passion you have for this ghost town is really inspiring.
I rarely comment on youtube videos but I just want to thank you for the work you and the volunteers have done so far to preserve Cerro Gordo and wish you all the best for the many great adventures and challenges to come! "Merci et bon courage" as we say here in France
Go Brent! It is a wonderful thing you are doing! Thank you for showing Bodie and how important preservation of history is!
I just wanted to say…..I saw you and Cerro Gordo on Sunday Morning on CBS, it was sooooo cool!! Now you have nation wide recognition!!! This could mean big things for your dream Brent!!!
International as well. Youve forgotten so many people also view this show all over the World!
From Down Under 🇦🇺
Portugal here! 🙂
Brent is amazing. Just hope he can keep his dream alive and give Cerro Gordo the recognition it deserves.
Just got home after driving 4 hours from NC, couldn't be happier to relax and learn about Bodie! Great story telling! Your passion makes that great
Love it! My favorite history teacher was Mr Goss. He was a WWII vet. Best teacher everrrrr.
Hello from Manchester, England Brent. I really enjoy watching your videos and all the little history lessons that go with them. Though my niche is aviation history, mainly WW2, which I write books on, I`ve always had an interest in this sort of thing, old farmsteads, castles, brochs, cars and of course old mines, though the mines over here are for the most part coal and lead mines, but very few still have buildings left these days. Anyhow, I wish you every success with your project in preserving all that history for future generations.
I come from a mining town and this gives me more appreciation for where I live and the history behind my town. Hope you find your Levi 👖
I can't imagine how terrified you must be trying to deal with this open pit mine business. good luck man I love your show.
Thanks for bringing back to memory my visits to Bodie some 50 years ago and then again 35 years ago. Lots of history and a great place for a family outing.
I remember traveling out west as a kid, seeing old building and abandoned mines out of the window of the car at nearly every turn. It was mystical. So inspiring, waiting to be explored. There is a never ending fascination with our own human history that is so, so important to preserve and study.
You’re such an eloquent speaker , Brent....God bless❤️🙏🏻✝️
Hey Brent! It’s always exciting when the notification comes in that you have another Cerro Gordo video. Thank you again!
My first and only road trip in the US and Bodie was one of my stops. Loved it so much.
Bodie has been on my bucket list for many years! What a narrative you did woven in with telling a story aboutpeoples lives there! You have a gift!
Another great episode. I can't tell you how much my family and I look forward to these videos. Thanks again, Brent.
Glad you like them! Thank you.
"They show you the past during the present"
Well said Brent
You and your amazing channel are my mental therapy each week . Thank you for not only what you do , but what you say each week and how you explain it .
My high school was from 1861 and we were the last graduating class there in the early 2000s before it was demolished. It still had a few classrooms that were hidden amongst the halls that looked similar to the church. Sitting and even just looking at the floors in those rooms had so much character vs the other plain white plaster and carpeted rooms. Seeing buildings like that preserved is a beautiful thing for the future generations to understand the hard work that us as humans really are capable of and what it took to live to get us where we are today. Even churches in our town have been renovated so the classic look brings new life to the imagination of the old. Thank you for the hard work preserving history everyone. ♡
Super glad you did a bodie video! I love walking around that place by myself, so surreal. They saved bodie with no TH-cam & no internet, we can save Cerro gordo!
Our boy Brent doing the work! Love to see the drive! We need more people like Brent. So happy there’s people who can come out and help such a cool place come back! The history is amazing and should never be lost.
@O ❤ O just reported u for child abuse
@@joemiller1329 these comment link spams are wild. SMH
Congratulations on having such a wonderful Son.
@@tracyd4774 no one is perfect. Mistakes happen. Are you perfect? Do you never get anything wrong?!
God Bless you bro. When I was 6, my family went to Cerro Guardo, I love that ghosttown
We love bodie! It’s what started my sons love for abandoned buildings and ghost towns! ♥️
Thank you Brent for sharing such a wonderful story and narrating it as you do.
Personally, if finances and labor allowed, I'd like to see CG restored to its glory days of the late 1800's. Or at least select buildings. Save what you can using the old buildings and photos as a template, and keep some building in a steady state like in Bodie so you have both worlds. I'm not talking about a Disneyland Frontier Land sort of thing but there are hotels and other old buildings from that era that have been restored and are working businesses.
He’s workin on it. Currently the No.1 thing he’s working on is the American hotel.
I agree... so tired of fake 'history' for profit at amusement parks, etc.
Hey Brent! Love the channel. In the future, when we’re all allowed to travel internationally again, you should consider coming to Ballarat in Australia. We have a gold mining township museum here called Sovereign Hill representing 1851-1861. One of the best gold mining museums in the world. I’d love to take you there
Hey Brent, thank you for caring so much about history and preservation. You are one of the best example of someone doing good with the resources they have, instead of contributing to destroying the world any further. These videos are truly inspiring, from your words to your actions they are truly motivating. Thank you.
If I could applaud for this episode, I would. Such a great story full of love and loss. Collapsing and winning. Failing and getting back up again against odds. 👏👏👏
Another great job. You would have been the best history teacher ever lol. But you are teaching us all history and it's so interesting getting to go on these trips with you.
i totally agree , he definitely would have made history the best class ever . glad he gets to talk about what he loves though and like you said bring us along
Nothing worse than a history class with a teacher that doesn't love history. Crying shame:)
I grew up in CA & have always seen Bodie with a haunting beauty and awe inspiring simplicity. I was a country girl & cowgirl and craved the rough n tumble life. Yet in toughness there was a simple & relaxing side. Although I've been in a wheelchair for 29 years my heart still yearns for that old west lifestyle I had when I was young.
You are such a great storyteller, the insight you give is just incredible.
Brent is my friggen Hero!!! This man has brass balls! Those mines he goes down in would scare the hell outta me! ROCK ON BRENT
😆 🤣 I know right????...HE is like A Mine EXPLORING Superman...I LOVE when he goes on adventures 100s of feet DOWN in them Mines .....I'm sitting on the edge of my couch... biting my nails tell he get back to DAYLIGHT.....HE infact has BOTH a Heart of Gold and Balls of BRASS ...NO DOUBT 😁✌😊
I also want to add that when I was young, we used to travel from ghost town to ghost town and check out all the abandoned buildings and look in windows and see things that were still inside. Many of those old towns have been raized to the ground since I was a kid. We have to preserve what we have left! Most of you won’t ever be able to see many towns that I’ve seen, and that breaks my heart.
@yes begone BOT
You are a great person who has passion and understanding. You sound and remind me of friend who lives every day as one better than the other a interesting way to see life.my wish is to live like you enjoying every moment. Peace, good luck you bring joy to us.
Your way with words is just as impressive and awe inducing as these ghost towns. You could motivate me to do anything. Thank you for continually sharing these experiences and letting us see things from the inside of your mind. It's incredibly brave to share the deepest parts of our souls and you do it week in week out. I hope one day I will be able to visit Cerro Gordo for the beauty of the place and to meet you. Keep rocking on fella, you're an inspiration.
Brent, I love your melancolic poetry. It reminds us of the vanity of human existence, and at the same time shows that we all are a chain thru times longer than our lives. May it spread again all over the wolrd, in times of primary greed from a few ruling over all the others. Greeting from F-Normandy/ Perche.
Youre a legend mate
When visiting Bodie in June, I heard echoes and saw shadows of a town that once was. History is important and must be preserved. Even the human garbage left behind on the ground also speaks to the lessons we must learn in being better. Digging a pit mine in these places just continues that vicious cycle. Thanks Brent!
I got to visit Bodie back in the 70's. It is frozen in time. and beautiful. I've always wished I could return.
We love you Brent. You're the best of America.
What a huge treat for me! I grew up near Bodie and have been there more times than I can count. It hasn’t changed at all that I can remember since I was a child, and that was the 6Os and 70s! They’ve done such a great job. I implore all of you to take the drive out there and spend the day at Bodie.
Its nice seeing our favorite redhead smile! :) I appreciate all the bits of effort you take into just to produce these amazing heartful contents for your followers!
For someone who used to find history boring, watching your channel sure did change my mind.
You always get me with the inspirational words! Thank you! And all the best to you!
Greetings from Belgium
It has been some time since I watched one of your videos Brent though my son is a devoted fan and keeps me up to date on your activities. I really appreciate your determination and good sense of direction as well as your commitment. You have an amazing gift in that you are able to seek support to assist you in keeping your dream alive. I applaud you Brent! You are an inspiration to many.
Found you via CBS Sunday Morning… cheers for all your work!
Welcome
Sunday Morning-! I was so excited to see your feature. People are drawn to your authentic nature, keep it up-!
Wow, thank you!
@@GhostTownLiving have you reached out to Kara and Nate or to the group that came and helped you do the basement/cement for the hotel? I’m certain they would share all of the information on their channels and you’d have a lot more people who want to help preserve the town.
Real tear jerker this episode was. You're a good man Brent. Alot of respect for you.
I went here with my dad in the early 2000's. There was so much glass everywhere on the ground, I found the bases to several old cola bottles (I think) - and most of them had turned purple from the sun. They're beautiful, and I still have them to this day.
This place is special
So happy to see you!!!!!!
What an incredible video, your video making and story telling just keeps getting better and better, well done !
Thanks a ton!
Such an incredible place.
So unique to your country..
I live in Australia and I grew up on a farm
The sights, sounds, smells are unique to that place , my childhood, my paradise.
The love you have for that place and the history you tell are so important .
THANKYOU,
Deb
Australia
Bodie and Cerro Gordo deserve to be preserved! These show historical events. Many people in our world love history. Not happy about Canadian Co. I pray for preserving the beautiful history that occurred, and needs to be preserved. Sending positivity to you, and know there is many people on your side.
💜✌🙏✌💜
Thanks Brent for another awesome walk back in time!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Brent, you are a true inspiration. I hope this younger generation watching, will learn a thing or two from your outlook on history. I watch every week buddy. Keep'em coming!!!!
Such a poet! Mr. Brent. I am praying for Cerro Gordo and its bright future in good hands.
Thank you for bringing a whole other side of the World, to where your viewers are, Brent. Its literally one of the highlights of my day, when you post a new video 🙂
I look forward to these videos!
#SAVECERROGORDO
Thank you Brent, for sharing with us great video. Have a great week ahead.
Bodie is indeed a magical place, where the winds are known to howl as one might imagine in an Old Western Movie. The sights and sounds are amazing. It really is quite peaceful there. It's a magical place where visitors are able to step back in time.
I’ve been to Bodie many times. I love it there and always wonder what life would’ve been like back then😊
We were there on August 12th as well. My son and I were happy to see you documenting different buildings, maybe in an effort to make Cerro Gordo similar to Bodie.
Thanks for letting me explore and chat the other day. Looking forward to spend a few days volunteering in the near future!
Brent, I can’t tell you how much I love you and your videos.
Loved your message here...the power of human resiliency and tenacity!!! Loved it!
My father visited Bodie several times. He loved it. He was into photography so I have some awesome pictures. Glad to hear from you Brent. I missed the live chat. So hi everyone!!! I’m still with you on the fight to save Cerro Gordo.
You should send them copies of the best ones :)
Awesome field trip!!! If we ever make it out west, we hope to visit both ghost towns!!! Keep up the good fight & save CG! History matters! Big hugs!
Brent, I wish I could describe how much I look forward to seeing your videos every week. You are a shining light for your subscribers not only because of the incredible content you provide, but because of the warm person you are. Even though I’ve never met you, when I tune in every week I feel that I am watching the adventures of a close friend.
One of your best videos yet. I love your speech at the end segment. There certainly is comfort in know that your forebears overcame much adversity.