Darwin, California: Life In A Lawless Town | Real Stories Full-Length Documentary 

These are the type of documentaries that need to be made more often no fake or staged people or stories pure raw emotions and stories

My grandmother owned a trailer court here in southern NM. She bought the land in the late 50s and by the late 60s she had close to 30 trailers for rent. Most of the renters had been there since day one. Grandmother was very close friends with a lot of the people. It was neat how the people were like characters in a TV show. I grew up in and around that trailer court until grandmother passed in the late 80s. All of her friends knew me and my mom and brother as well as the rest of my family who lived in town. A tight knit, friendly, warm and welcoming community. I always felt so secure and welcome there. Grandmother was like the boss around there in some of the rent trailers there would be people fighting, getting drunk and loud. My aunt was married to my un le who was a biker who rode for the 1% MC here and they as well as a dozen others lived in the 4 rent trailers across from the office and grandmother's trailer. When things got heated the bikers handled it. It didn't get out of hand very often. I wish the trailer court hadn't been sold. I always had somewhere to live rent free if I wanted. The court was shady all spring and summer with pecan trees, willows and mulberry trees. There was grass on every lot. I used to love it when it rained. Other than the awesome monsoon storms that hit here for the summer the rains would flood parts of the court. My aunt and uncles yard was all grass and the low spot turned into a swimming hole. At 8 years old it seemed like deep water anyway. There was a little store next door with a gas station and laundromat. We used to rake lea as for quarters to go buy slushies and candy. I drve by that old lot here and there. It's got a bunch of tiny one bedroom houses on it. It isnt the quaint little paradise it used to be. It was a colorful community. A place that embraced us everytime we went over. I miss the pecans in a bottle of Coke. I miss grandmother. Darwin reminds me of our little community so much.

Amazing to find a place where everyone, whatever their past and hardships, has found a sanctuary where they can live their lives in peace. Everyone in the video seemed so easy going and content.

I love documentaries like this. Just letting people talk and allowing them tell their own stories. Great job.

In a world where no one is listening because they are all too busy talking about themselves we forget there are people worth listening to, who have stories that are truly unique and worth telling. If we can't sit quiet long enough to hear them tell it we lose not only their story, we lose a part of our own.

Beautiful Documentary. No fake reporting but allowing the residents to tell their own stories in their own words, their own thoughts. Simple and straight.

The postmaster talking about her son at the end made my cry right along with her.

This is an outstanding documentary, beautifully photographed. The good people of Darwin really opened up to the crew. This documentary deserves many awards.

How all documentaries should be. Open, candid, no script. Great job.

Darwin reminds me of the island of misfit toys from the Christmas cartoon, yet these misfits have found a way to survive together in a cruel and unforgiving world. I admire them a lot and wish them the best.

That postal lady is hammered

The music in this documentary is beautiful and I really found all the stories so interesting, almost like listening to my parents telling me stories! I love being reminded to slow down in life and really take the time to appreciate what you have in the moment.

I was on an adventure motorcycle ride 4 years ago. We came out of Apple Valley and went on dirt roads all over Death Valley. At one point we ended up in Darwin. It was like a ghost town with a few people living there. We never saw anyone. I'm really glad I got to see this documentary. The way these people live I believe is good for the soul. Live and let live.

Susan’s best quotes; “Even a broken clock is right twice a day” “I’ve got the best job, regardless Of...you know, it’s the only job” 🤣♥️ I like Susan.

If this woman doesn’t think Charles Manson was a crazy and very bad man to say the least, something is wrong with her.

I love documentaries to see and let people express themselves sit down face to face and actually hear them unwind. You can walk away, go shopping, come back and they will still be there talking so amazing. thanks!

You should put more ads in, I don’t think 35 is enough....

Susan, two weeks without smoking, "Meanwhile, I'm a postal worker, & I haven't killed anyone" ... with a totally straight face. She's a character!

I am from a small desert town called Victorville..drove or went through Darwin traveling somewhere else....we thought our small town was weird and strange empty desolate nothingness....this place is that but if they are happy there....GOD BLESS THEM

I live relatively close to Darwin and was a FedEx delivery driver for the town. I had a paper hand drawn map to find the homes to deliver to because street names and the addresses for homes or trailers are not easily found. Physical landmarks were the best way to navigate to different locations because street signs were not common. I once delivered a wedding dress for one of the residents who was having a pagan wedding in the circle art garden and she was very sweet and talkative but other than that you didn’t really see anyone around there at all. The Darwin Mine was hiring people a few years ago to work as laborers and offering lodging as part of their compensation but it doesn’t seem like the mine has stayed open since then. It’s got a lot of charming art sculptures around the town and neat old buildings from the mining days but most of the people seem to live in trailers. They are a 45 minute drive to any food or gas stations so I imagine it’s a tough place to live. Thankful for all the stories that were told by these residents of Darwin and wish there was a way to get another one for these people still living there!

“In the mean time, I’m a postal worker and I’ve not killed anyone yet!” Cracked me up !!

The dude that invented the fire truck deserves way more than he has. Very thoughtful and community minded

This is beautiful & I am grateful this documentary exists. I love these people.

I find that so respectful how they say we take care of our own that right there tells you that that whole town is like a family

I am from an English seaside town. I put this on in the background while I was cleaning my flat, but ended up sitting down and watching it properly. The United States is so fascinating, in that it feels so much more familiar than some of our own very close European neighbours whom we share a continent with because at its inception it was built from a British framework, we share a common language, and from birth like the rest of the world we watch American TV programmes and films, but that makes the foreign and alien aspects to it all the more pronounced. The sheer vastness and variety of the landscape all in one sprawling nation, and the isolation that can afford some communities, very strange and interesting to someone from a country where for the most part you're never very far away from the nearest town, and we all live on top of one another. I love my country - not in the God save the Queen sense or any of that bollocks - but I mean our cities and towns, and our green fields, country lanes lined with hedgerows, canals, and village pubs etc. I find this landscape to be very barren and bleak, but it's amazing that the differences in human taste and perception are thus that these people can look around them and find beauty in that very same landscape.

getting people to talk this candidly is a talent it starts with getting your own self out of the way whoever made this documentary brings empathy to their job each day

"I met the man, and he is a piece of ****" best line in the documentary. Very interesting lifestyle. Many Californian's live in TINY rural towns and lots of folks who've never been to Ca do not know that these small communities are everywhere that cities are not. FYI. It was the "gold country" so not only Death Valley, but the entire Sierra Nevada Mountains are littered with tiny towns. Many remind me of this place; some are large enough to have police. Many are not.

This was very interesting and and a learning opportunity… real live stories that this community shared was heartfelt. Their stories is a true testament of how a community should be. Thank you for sharing.

Whoever made..edited and produced this documentary deserves an oscar..I'm from Liverpool..UK..have no interest in places like this whatsoever but this was enthralling from start to finish..take a bow boys cos you deserve it..and thanks for uploading it..whoever you are..just subbed..excellent work.

My great grandfather was born there in 1876. Doing some family research and wow.

I've been to Death Valley several times and Darwin is worth a stop Thanks for the documentary

Can we get an update on these awesome people ? How did the pandemic hit them ? Or how many are still living there, how many are gone from Darwin due to passing. I am curious to know how life has changed for them since 2009. ✌️ ☮️

I love all these people who are in this documentary. Thank you to the good people of Darwin for sharing your lives with us.

Letting people talk. Letting people tell you about themselves and who they are. A wonderful, wonderful thing. As this documentary proves.

Excellent job! I grew up in Ridgecrest, the other side of China Lake NWC. My family has been there since the 40s. Darwin was always the “the big mystery” in the desert. Of course we were always curios, especially after Manson. So glad to see the other side, of thriving human life. Thank you!

What a documentary!!! I watched it in sections. Great filmologie, very captivating!!! Must’ve taken a lot of your time! Very appreciated!!!

You start with a prejudice and end up with enlightenment. Deepest respect for the inhabitants of Darwin.

The way the world is going. This place looks better and better.

I remember visiting Darwin as a kid in the middle 60's...I remember it much differently. My Dad's friend quit his job near Sacramento and moved his family to Darwin. I think he worked with my Dad at Aero Jet near Sacramento. They had a nice home his family built and he had a good job there. We moved not long after that and lost touch. *update* I called friends from Arizona that knew the family we knew who moved to Darwin. He said the husband had a "top secret" job near Darwin that he couldn't talk about. After the first year the wife and kids moved back to the Sacramento area for school. Going back to the Darwin area for the summer. Mom and Dad have passed. The home still has electricity etc but the bills go to a family trust. They don't dare lock the home as it would be broken into. They go twice a year to go to the falls in a large old RV their Dad/Mom bought brand new before Dad passed and ride Dad/Mom's very old dune buggies they keep in a rental shed near Darwin. The kids feel like this area will always have a place in their hearts.

This legit made me all choked up. 💖💖💖 The art, the song, your heart!!!

sometimes I feel the comment sections of youtube are just as interesting as this documentary. So many characters.

I'm pretty sure the postmaster is hammered. 😅

A true documentary, no bias, no scripting, no fake cover ups.

Such a well done documentary on the people and stories of the Darwin, CA lives and history. 100%

1:25:21 It's eerie watching a doc from 13 years ago, and seeing a man speak on his inevitable passing, and knowing that it very likely has occurred, that he's now 6 ft under in the area he was referring to.

This little town is very interesting. I loved it when I heard the old man saying , "That's not my business what they're doing at their house" Amen. They all seems like just great, regular folks that want to live and let live. Live in peace and get along. My kind of ppl.

Well done documentary!! These people are truly fascinating, and even more so, the lives they live and their individual life stories they have lived. Would love to see where they all, and Darwin also, are at now.. hope they’re all well..

I have been there recently October 2023. My friend and I talked to one person..the other were avoiding ..hidding behind the curtains but we really enjoyed it.

I really liked this story. I wonder who's still there in 2023? Thanks to everyone for sharing their lives with us. Wishing you all the best!💗

Imagine a time gone by. People just being together, no judgements, help each other and do what needs done. Be who you want to be but be who you are. Stay safe folks, and thank you for sharing❤️

What a BRILLIANT documentary story ,sooo interesting

I feel bad for the man who hadn't seen his son in 28 yrs, and is disappointed in both his kids......im so sorry.....

When I first heard this, I thought it was Darwin, Australia...

I used to live in this town in the 60's. Francis Black was the Mayor, postmaster, prinipal and teacher. We had all grades in one school until we started taking bus to Lone Pine. We used to ride our bikes down to lower Darwin and buy hot dog bubble gum. My Dad was a miner and had his own copper claim. They had a drunk lady there that would get drunk and fall in the ditch and we called her screaming Susie. We had Puerto Rican neighbors. Reef, Chris, Cliff and can't remember baby name. If your out there and see this video contact me! I miss the old days.

This is the second time i watched this documentary in 5yrs .its heartwarming but also sad❤😢

@1:13:00 reminds me of what mom always said- like chapters in a book, about every ten years you change, you aren't the same person, you finish one chapter and move on to the next one.

Love their loyalty towards each other and how they look out and take care for each other this place looks very peaceful better from all the city crimes

This is one of the realist documentaries I've watched. Felt like I was sitting with them. They lead a simple life. As life should be. They have the biggest luxury in life, peace and contentment, even tho they have had some of the worst experiences. And open minded and pretty dam cool.

What did I just watch? This was pure gold to me. I swear it wasn't because I saw a VW single cab needling love! This was beautifully done. Thank you!

Thank you for the 3 step reminder RU-vid because I had a lot to say about this video. I’ll keep it in mind

It's nice to see that people who have a problem fitting in with society have a place to go

09:32 "She appointed herself mayor..... And just like everybody else, she died...muhahahaha! " That geezer is a funny savage 😂💦

This was very enjoyable to watch! Thank you!

Many wise and intelligent words spoken throughout this film. Should be a lesson to us all.

One of the best documentaries I've seen in several years.

I can't believe that I watched the whole thing. Very interesting people

Amazing piece of work!!! Love this video.

Awesome documentary... Thanks for sharing ❤

The post master seemed hammered during the interview.

I was in a movie called ESCAPE FROM DARWIN. Filmed in Darwin in Nov 2004. A lady named Miriam had a real nice house close to the dance hall let us stay at her house. Also another man let us stay in his house that was partly underground. You can see the movie on RU-vid. I was the girl at the bar with the scarred face. Hi Miriam! I'm the one who gave you a turquoise ring that you gave to your mom😀

Well done. No ads! Very interesting. Thank you

That postal lady was high asf lol

I would love to see an update on Darwin. Beautiful documentary. Best one I've seen

12 years later I am curious how many are still around. A Darwin revisited would be interesting to see.

What a great documentary. Very well done.

I have watched the people of Darwin for many years and would like to be there and see the settlement and people seems like a nice place to go to, I am 77 years old and I may get there still thank you for publishing this great place May GOD bless you all

Darwin is proof that there is a place for everyone. None of these people took an easy road to end up in Darwin, but it looks to me like they are in the right place. They remind me of the old timers that lived on small ranches up in the hills in Eastern Washington.

The postmaster is definitely ON something

This was soooo gooood 👍...I sure am glad I ran into this vid.

This documentary breaks your heart and then puts it together again. But the glue is dusty and the breaks are still jagged.

This was filmed in 2009. Hopefully, you'll return for an update on the residents. This was so interesting!!

Thank you thank you for the video I’ve seen it several times you get a good warm, feeling watching them people trying to survive and live out the rest of their life and peace. Thank you again for this video KY.

I truly loved this video, and each person with their stories ,as each have some hidden skill of brilliance ❤ Thank you for an excellent sight into a world unknown ✨ Life, in view

This is incredibly well-done. I swear you couldn't make up characters this interesting or real or believable if you tried.

True life documentary’s are always way more interesting than what Hollywood puts out. It would be nice to see how everyone has progressed and is coping in this even crazier world than what they all escaped from. Would be nice to get an update on the their water supply as well. Great documentary.

Wonderful stories. Heart warming. Thank you.

Great documentary. I'm surprised I've never heard of Darwin, Ca. The Salton Sea is another story I enjoy learning about. It's another forgotten area with very few ppl left living there.

Been to Darwin a number of times when passing through the Western part of Death Valley. Interesting town for sure, with some great art sculptures throughout. One time on an overlanding trip I took a group to the town after coming over a trail from Panamint Springs. We spent about 1.5 hours looking around and just talking with locals in front of the post office. A very diverse and interesting group of people with some real talents as you find in places where living is not easy. One of the folks in our group who lived in Big Sur actually ran into someone that use to live near him there. Lots of interesting stories out there from the history of the town.

This is such a beautiful community of differences and I love that they're all just trying to be happy amongst one another even if one's idea of happiness is different

Absolutely brilliant. I wonder how they are doing these couple of years later.

This was a fantastic watch. I wonder how each of them are doing over a decade later.

Very moving. Thank you for letting the people tell their stories and for not interrupting with questions or commentary.

We cried a long time ago we don’t cry anymore beautiful

This was a good documentary/story. This looks like the kind of freedom I want . This is how neighbourhoods should be. Help each other out . Obviously there is always going to be some who don't get along. But the bigger picture matters

Surprisingly moving documentary. Amazing job!

As a lover of the desert, and a fledgling RU-vidr myself, I love how you’ve captured a snapshot of the living history of such a unique corner of the Universe. This is about as good of a documentary as it gets! Great job!

This is the Town in every horror movie that the stars run to for help

Praying for blessings for all of em. Thank you for the video!

I grew up in a rough part of Brooklyn in the 80's. The way they talk about Darwin reminds me of there.

Im so wrapped up in this town and the people, i need more! Such a great documentary. Allowed the people to tell their story the way it was meant to be told without questions and fillers. Wonderful job.