Bunkhouse

Cerro Gordo, high in the Inyo Mountains above Owens Valley, was one of California's richest silver camps in the 1870s: a town of saloons and brothels with a reputation for frequent killings. It revived in the early 20th century with a zinc boom, when this six-bedroom bunkhouse was built for miners and staff. The town is now privately owned. Since 2018 its owner has been restoring it and opening it to visitors, although a June 2020 fire destroyed the historic American Hotel. He has described walking past the bunkhouse one night and seeing its lace curtains part, a small face look out, and the kitchen light come on, days after the last contractors had left. He padlocked the door, and that night the light was on again with the lock still in place. Others staying in the town have reported doors opening and closing, flickering lights and footsteps in the empty rooms.