Welcome to the world of Cerro Gordo

Discover the fascinating story of Cerro Gordo, an abandoned mining town nestled in the rugged mountains of California. Read first-hand tales of the pioneers and prospectors who once roamed these hills in search of fortune. Get ready to embark on a journey through history and unearth the hidden treasures of our past.

Our growing collection of historical documents and artifacts related to Cerro Gordo contains many treasures - what will you re-discover first?

  • Amazingly surviving the fires and earthquakes which destroyed most of the early records of Inyo County, this Index shows the registration of mining claims and various properties around Cerro Gordo.

  • This prospectus from the Four Metals Mining Company, published in 1907, is part history lesson, part business report.

  • This collection of letters, sent to John D. Bicknell in 1878 by soliciter J. G. Harwood, gives an insider’s report of the water conditions in Cerro Gordo.

  • This 1891 payroll gives insight into the wages of miners and their superintendent for the month of February. John Thomas, superintendent of the mine, was later involved in the famous shooting of Henry Boland by William Crapo.

  • This very rare copy of the 1890 registry of electors for Inyo County contains the age, occupation, town of residence, and country of origin of over 1,000 early settlers.