The 3 Year Journey of Reviving A Ghost Town 

Brent I just can't express enough how many people admire your passion and commitment to your dream at Cerro Gordo you are an amazing person.

When it's built, you can literally walk around inside, knowing that you made this all possible.

As someone who LOVES history, I feel we should ALL thank YOU, Brent, for giving us a look from 150+yrs ago and inviting us in to explore it, see it, and even visit it. YOU are a true treasure, to those of us who love history and times of old that were here LONG before any of us and will be here LONG after we're all gone. So thank you, Brent, for inviting us into your life, your town, and your home. We appreciate you.

Just a suggestion...about the nails from the American Hotel that burned. We were thinking that it would really be cool if you would instead of putting them in the actual build of the new Hotel, that you could put them in an art project instead so people could actually see them. You could incorporate them into a piece of furniture using epoxy resin or fabricate a shadow box or picture of some sort to put on the wall using them. Just a thought. We enjoy your videos. Great job!

The fact that he was able to hammer in those 150 year old nails without bending or breaking them literally blew my mind

This whole story is a testament to resilience, persistence and spirit. It’s been a wonderful journey so far.

Let us see the preparation work, please. The wood splitting, the signs you put up, melting snow... all of it. It is part of the revival of the town. 👍👍

People aren't just rallying around history brent.. there rallying around you and the fantastic work your doing.. all the best mate xxx

It takes a person with a huge vision to galvanize and attract others to contribute to manifesting the Big Vision. In this case, it is you, Brent, who holds the Big Vision that inspires others to want to share in it. Yay! Congrats on your progress on the American Hotel...this Phoenix is rising from her own ashes!

Yes Brent when you finally get to open the doors for the first time it's going to be a Glorious time for you. And for sure emotional ,thank you for taking us along with you to see the progress. It's been a joy.

As a carpenter and someone who builds structures for a living I can truly respect everything you have done to even prepare to build at a site like that! 🎉❤

Hi, from Northeastern PA. As a fellow believer in historical conservation, I've always loved your content and your dream of bringing Cerro Gordo back to life. This is my contribution to Cerro Gordo and that dream.

Watching all the way from geelong. AUSTRALIA

Been watching this since the begining and man am I stoked for you dude. Not many people can go through what you have and still be so optimistic. You are an inspiration to many many people man. Keep up the good work

Your compassion for Cerro Gordo and the history that surrounds it is amazing. My son, Dustin, is working with Kyle doing the framing on your hotel right now and is loving working up there. My husband and I, along with a group of friends, have Jeeped all the canyons in Death Valley and the surrounding areas. It is definitely an amazing place. We wish you the best in your endeavors with Cerro Gordo and look forward to your updates every week. P.S. We binge watched to get caught up to date on the progress of everything, but mostly because it was so interesting we couldn’t stop watching.

Hope you’re alright Brett, miss the video updates!

This makes me happy 🙂 i remember when the American Hotel burned down,and i remember seeing a man torn to the core with grief, i have to say i was torn for that man myself, what a terrible thing to see, the loss of so much history and hope in such a beautiful place 😞 now,i'm from the UK,i'll probably never visit Cerro Gordo in the years i have left but believe me i would love to,i would love to get my hands dirty putting back what's been lost,it would be a shitload of fun,and so so worth while,you can take your NY's,and your LA's any day,they're not for me,there's an amazing thing happening in a little ghost town above Death Valley National Park that will fill anyone full of hope,you keep at it Brent,you're an inspiration across the globe,everytime i see an upload i can't wait to know more 🙂 keep at it Dude.

The media, especially what's called the 'mainstream' media is usually so depressing, I can't tell you how refreshing it is to see and hear what you're doing in this video. This is what the spirit of America was and is all about. You have my prayers for your success and I wish you the very very best! Great job!

"Everyone that watches this channel has played a part in the rebuilding of the hotel" What a lovely comment to make Brent! Thank you from all of us not living in America that are heavily invested in watching Cerro Gordo come alive again. Thank you for being you Brent and showing all of us how to keep pushing forward no matter what life throws at us! I have learned so much from you Brent. Thank you! With Love from Ireland!

Been watching from before the hotel burned down, honestly watching the wood go in finally, after these years, brought tears to my eyes. Love the work, keep it up, I'm so excited for you!

Hi, Brent- I think I can speak for everyone, when I tell you that you have us all invested so emotionally in this story, and that we are all pulling so very hard for you to be successful! You are just so honest and forthcoming, and want the best for everything- we can't help but want that for you and everything that you want- From the mining center of Colorado- I sit 20 feet above the Pikeview Mine, The Westmoreland Mining Company was the biggest business around here until it shut it's doors in 1957. We have had sinkholes open up in driveways and backyards, and the swimming pool at the park has to be reinforced with concrete underneath it on a regular basis, because it is above tunnels- one would think that would preclude the weight, but the city goes ahead with it, the last time just shored it up with 20 tons of concrete under it. In any event, have a wonderful day!

So cool to see the framing start. Things will move pretty fast now.

I visited the old American Hotel for my first time around 10 years ago. I'm amazed at everything you are able to organize, and I look forward to seeing the new one soon(ish). I can't fully relate to your commitment to this project, but I'm excited you are since it means something to me and a lot of others as well.

I was born and raised in Idaho. There is a town named Silver City and it's up in the mountains quite a way. We would go there and around there rock hunting. Good memories and you bring them back. Your enthusiasm is amazing.

I love that you put some old nails in! I would get the rest of them put into a resin countertop for the bar in the hotel. You could even put other random things you found after the fire into it, if you have enough stuff left you could possibly do all the countertops in the hotel that way. It would be neat!

Your team is INCREDIBLE and have the kind of resilience very few achieve. The hotel will have beauty in its craftsmanship, its history, and the people who gave it life. Here's to the memories past and future, made in this one building!

Hey Brent and all those who have worked volunteered at Cerro Gordo. So proud to have been watching you all doing work that is necessary to keep history alive. I am taken a back by the amount of effort blood sweat and tears. It's amazing to see all the financial support that has been provided to this initiative. Cant wait get a chance to get their someday soon and stay their and even volunteer with my kids. Coming from Toronto, Canada.

Started looking at your videos a few months ago and was amazed at an abandoned ghost town. How you came to fall in love with this place and when Dave brought the gang i was hooked and now subscribed and Viewing from Ireland . Wishing you all the best to get it up and running and awaiting for it to reopen.

Greetings from the city of Zwolle in the Dutch mountains :)

I’m not sure why I have tears watching these vlogs. Im not sure if it is because I’ve watched this channel from inception or if it’s the amazing passionate storytelling from you Brent. Regardless. Thank you for bringing this amazing part of our history back to life. ❤️

Couple thoughts: The National Parks have visitors centers that have a small video room where they have a 15-20 min video on the NP. The recording is on auto-play with a 2-3min pause between showings or a push-button start for the smaller parks. Also, Alcatraz (and other attractions like that) have an audio tour app, you may want to look into it sometime down the line as your ghost town visitors increase. Last, I think you should make the bedroom doors using the salvaged nails.

Much love and respect for keeping history alive ❤ watching from 🇦🇺

I appreciate your messages of positivity, Brent!!! Your words help me through challenging times in my personal life. That opening day will be a new huge part of Cerro Gordo’s history going forward for decades to come. 🤗❤️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎶🎶🎶👏👏👏🇨🇦

A HUGE thank you Brent for bringing those of us who can't get there to help in person along for this awesome journey! Looking forward to many more adventures with you!!!

This is a huge step forward, congratulations Brent on the new hotel rising up from the ashes. It was a huge effort of many coming together, thank you for bringing us along.

As ever, one of the absolute greatest things to come out of the COVID-19 fiasco! Thanks for this ongoing piece of positivity and general all-around goodness, Brent. Congrats on the progress!

Quite a while ago when the road washed out, a lot of us told you to hold your head up and then if it was meant to work out things would come together. It’s definitely a full circle moment because things have come together quite nicely. Loving the progress. Keep up the good work.

Run that same advertisement when you are ready to open the Hotel. It’s good to see history being preserved, thank you.

I'm so glad you're still moving along, Brent. Isn't it wild how you set out there alone, and now you have a community of like minded folks after a mutual goal with you.

Hi Brent, I have been watching your videos from France almost from the beginning. I’m so proud of being a small part of this project ! I always hated history because I have huge memory difficulties, but I just LOVE your story telling ! You make history soooo fascinating !!! Thank you for never giving up through all the tough times ! Have a wonderful day !!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

Mega inspirational, Brent that's who you are. A true American, with the good ol' American spirit of "can do - will do". Love what you do, how you present it and what the finished product will be. Keep doing what you're doing, we all LOVE it.

Brent, I am excited for you that progress is happening. I wish we could come help you out, but we are currently living in Romania as missionaries. So when I saw you with the old nails it brought back memories of the many building projects we have done here where we saved all the nails, bent or straight. Then one of us would take a hammer and pound the nails straight to reuse them. I’m glad you were able to incorporate some of the old with the new.

You are a modern-day pioneer! As a history lover, I applaud what you are doing!

I love that you were able to incorporate the original nails into the lumber ❤ It is all coming together, Brent! Thank you for the update! You and the community at Cerro Gordo are doing amazing work! It is so awesome to see, what you can accomplish as a community. 👏💪

The American Hotel ❤️ We’re so proud of you Brent. If anyone can make this happen its you my friend! It’s happening and it’s going to be incredible 🙌

This world needs more Brents. Great people attracts greats people and these are the foundations of something unique and special. ❤

Brent. You literally hammered the displaced spirits of the original hotel back into the new hotel; the ghosts of Cerro Gordo can once again rest easy. I look forward to the day I can book a room, and partake in the adventures that are Cerro Gordo for myself. God Bless and keep up the awsome journey of bringing history to life.

Fabulous news! I cried with you when it burned down and now I celebrate your amazing achivement! This makes me so happy! One day I will come and visit all the way from Europe!

It blows me away how much work and love you put into the town. You're absolutely killing it dude!

Brent we just visited your town this last weekend and I was blown away how cool it was. I know it’s a lot of work but your living a dream that many of us are vicariously living through you. Can’t wait to come up when the American Hotel is finished. I’ve traveled all over the west and this is really one of the beautiful areas that holds so much history and for you to preserve it is amazing for future generations. Thanks from all the western history buffs.

That energy will still be there. It's soaked into the ground the original once stood on, and once it's built, the soul of that place can live on!

Thank God for all the Dave’s and Kyles in the world. I’m on the edge of my seat watching you guys. Loving every segment.

This was mentioned before by Atheena S, but I love the idea of having plaques or countertops with the nails and/or artifacts embedded in resin - forever preserved! No shortage of RU-vidr's who would be able to make you some awesome furniture and decorations!

Well done Brent it's been a tuff 3 years for you at the mine congratulations to all the volunteers & companies that have helped you along the way. ☘️🇮🇪

Brent, I've said it before, I love your videos and can't wait for them to see progress but I would love to see a weekly walk-around video, even you with a go pro or phone saying what's going on. It doesn't need to be edited, cut, or produced, just a casual video. Even if you are snowed in, tell us about how you got your wood, defrosting water, the daily challenges, etc.

Woohoo! This is an exciting update! So much work, so much progress. God bless you and everybody who have helped with your dream.

this world needs more people like you Brent.

From the UK it looks like Cerro Gordo is just about to get hit by storms again. I hope you all get through it OK. I intend to visit in about April/May to see how far you’ve got on with the hotel. Let’s hope the roads don’t get washed away again. Goodness, you’ve handled some problems. Good luck.

It would be absolutely amazing if you were able to open the American Hotel on the same month and day as it opened the first time (June 15th) and to use all those amazing square head nails in the foyer floor with maybe one or two of the original boards laid down as a centre piece with those nails too, so people could see all those nails and the boards for years to come. Great work Brent and team it’s so nice to see history being saved and not just building a new “21st century” building

You are truly a part of the town's history, and I think you can proud of the mark you are making there.

Wow! The excitement you have for this town is contagious ❤️. We get excited every time you have another video out. How awesome to see the hotel going up. Just seeing that smile on your face is awesome! Thanks for sharing this exciting news!

I've been watching your channel now for two years, and love every episode! To see the progress you and others have made on the Hotel is awesome! I am a carpenter/handyman that will enjoy to see the next phase of framing and interior work. I promise, vow, commit to one day stay at the Hotel when I get a chance. Aloha!

Been watching on and off from the beginning and was so excited to see all the progress on the hotel. One of the carpenters is actually a family friend and brought me back to the recent progress. Keep up the amazing work!

Thank you Brent, for every video, the history, the adventure, your wise words and taking us with you🙏💪💖 greatings from the Netherlands

Brent, your voice and delivery are very soothing. Even when your stress level is pinned at 10, you remain composed. I will make the roadtrip from Toronto Canada as soon as you are ready to receive guests. You are doing far more than rebuilding an old ghost town, you are creating history!

Watching your videos Brent has become a new passion for me. I feel your excitement and love of this town and the surrounding area. You are truly in an environment that brings you great joy and happiness, which I feel speaking for myself and possibly others, is what we long for in our lives. Thank You. I hope to visit and volunteer someday soon. Although I am terrified of heights, I am willing to drive that road, albeit slowly to get there.

I can't believe it's been three years since I watched your first video. You and all those who have been involved are Amazing. It's so nice to watch humanity at its best and working together for the joy of doing it! I love watching it happen!

My heart aches when I see footage of the old hotel....such a loss of history.....but your efforts to rebuild are phenomenal Brent. The spirit of the old hotel will be alive and well when this project is completed. You are to be congratulated!

Congratulations on the next milestone of the American Hotel! Thank you Brent for sharing this update! Peace to you and your crews !

So proud of you facing so much adversity but always turning things around with your ingenuity and unbridled spirit. You inspire so many. Where do you want the Clamper plaque? I think I could help make it happen. There's one at the hoist house if I'm not mistaken. Hope to volunteer this summer. Stay safe and productive the rest of this winter and please be safe on your solo excursions.

It would be cool if you can take some of the unusable nails and make them into a resin top table for the hotel, or some kind of wall display to hang in the hotel. Looking forward to seeing the hotel completed. Cerro Gordo is on my destination list! ❤😊

I'm so happy that you have shared your journey with us Brent! I can't wait to see the new hotel come to life!❤️

It is awesome to see the progress after so many set backs. Cheers from Sweden!

Amazing. Can’t believe you’ve gotten this far in this remote location along with weather setbacks!

You inspired me to share my experiences up in Oregon! This summer will be packed full of mine exploring, gold prospecting and much much more! ❤ can’t wait to see what your channel brings this year!!!!

Brent, you are the type of man that made America. The kind of men that built those crazy wire pulley buckets that were in a past video! Perseverance, and love you put into this. Love it!

These videos and your passion bring joy to many people. I don’t want my life to end without visiting Cerro Gordo, thank you for this gift.

Congratulations Brent! The part where you incorporated the nails from the old hotel bought a lump to my throat! Wishing you all success from Brisbane, Australia.

Wow, three years already. In some ways it seems like yesterday you lost her on that fateful night, and yet in many, many ways, for yourself and all of us, it's clearly been a very eventful period of time. Like many viewers, myself in Australia, it's a delight to see the American hotel come together. Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes. One that, rightly so, will forever have your stamp indelibly upon her, into future perpetuity. How wonderful, like the first one that many hands and many hearts have also played a role in her creation. Good luck to you all. Some of us, due to distance, can only live vicariously through your efforts, but we are most definately there in spirit. Can't wait to see her Grand opening too. All the best 😊✌️🇦🇺🫶

Brent it's an amazing experience. Thank you for bringing us along with you.

Kyle is worth his weight in gold (or maybe silver might be more appropriate in this case!). A professional tradesman. Hard to find at times. Well done, Brent on getting to this stage with the rebuild.

You seemed so overwhelmed with everything, yet you just keep going. It's amazing to see the hotel coming to life. Congratulations, you tireless work is paying off.

Your the man brother, I can’t wait to come see you Brent!! Ur an inspiration to us all!! Especially since the diesel brothers are ur friends!! That says a lot of your character!! Ur an awesome person ,and I can’t wait for you to show the world what perseverance you have on bringing this town bk to life!! Oh and when you do get this town in action I’m gonna come up and visit you cuz I always wanted to see the sequoia forest of redwoods!! God bless you and be careful out there buddy!! 💯♥️💯🙏💯👍👍

Thank you for showing us all the challenges and hurdles you run into in the rebuilding. Those who lived in Cerro Gordo before faced similar challenges, and by showing them, we all learn more intimately about otherwise hidden aspects of that history.

Brent, your determination and positivity is unimaginable. Your drive to continue even when everything seems like it’s to much.. I’d love to one day visit Cerro Gordo when it’s warm… much love from Ohio. I look forward to seeing you get back into the mines

I hope that people will be able to see the items inside & outside of the American Hotel 1.0 and see if they have those items in their own collections and ship them to you. So many people have antiques that they don't know what to do with when they have no one to pass them along to. This is an amazing job you're doing and one day I will be there to see it all. Thank you for your heart that you have put into this, keeping American history alive.

Thank you Brent. Such a great re-birth of history and we all are along for the ride.

Thank you Brent for all you are doing to preserve History instead of trying to change it.

I've been sick for a week now, and have been rewatching all your videos and then this popped up. You're contagious energy and optimism always brings a smile to me face. Please keep being you and thank you so much for bringing us along on this amazing journey. You a truly an inspiration.

At 70 years of age I wish I was there to help - - God Bless and Good Luck

You should find an artist that can make a sculpture out of the old pail of nails and have the sculpture in the main lobby or room of the hotel.

So excited that you're finally able to rebuild! I know this has been a long time coming!

Yeah Brent! Another great episode. So glad to see the hotel coming to life again. Was thinking the old nails you dont use maybe could be upcycled into rings and sold when the hotel is open. I've seen jewellers do this with them before. All the best 🐈🐈🐈

So happy to see this progress! Thank you for your hard work and hanging in there. So glad you share your journey along the way.

I can't wait to see how the hotel turns along with the other buildings your working on. The animals must be a great asset as well.

It's happening, Brent! Your dream of breathing new life into what was once a ghost town, has inspired us all. In turn, the inspiration has led us to encourage you to continue making your dream a reality, through many avenues of generosity, which generates a heap of gratefulness all around. With that in mind, know you're loved and not alone, brother..

Brent, I’ve been watching your channel since the beginning and this really does seem like a culmination of all your hard work, perseverance and your dedication rolled into one building project. Congratulations on finally getting the framing in place! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you and Cerro Gordo! Hope we can visit when it’s completed!

Love the men that brought the Concrete up and all his machinery (Dave) who must be an EARTH ANGEL sent to make it happen. To all the VOLUNTEERS COMING TO HELP OUT. Brent your passion for a future at this site is amazing. I remember watching the morning after as you showed us the devastation. Well it will happen after everything that has happened. Congratulations on your continuing journey. 🇨🇦👏🏼

Brent, You were meant to be the care taker/owner of Cerro Gordo no question in my mind!!! As a NEW Chapter in History, you are, our storyteller of Cerro Gordo, captured on video! I can't thank you enough!!! I've been hooked from the moment your video appeared in my que. Then I had to backtrack to start from your very first video, I did a non-stop marathon until I was caught up, and that was 3 yrs ago already, Wow!!! Something to "ALWAYS" look forward too, until the time I can see you and Cerro Gordo in person, hopefully sooner than later! Sending Abundance of Joy, Success Blessings! :-) Cheers....

What an amazing journey! And what wonderful news, to see the new American Hotel taking shape! Thank you for letting us walk along with you!