Cerro Gordo, CA - Death of Mike Patterson

[David A. Wright]

I just received word that Mike Patterson, current owner of much of Cerro Gordo ghost town, died this morning. I don't have any particulars of cause of death or where he died. I surmise he will be buried next to his beloved Jody, in the cemetery in the ghost town.

When I get more particulars, I'll update this post.

[Norman Johnson]

That's is very sad. Two weeks ago when I was in Cerro Gordo, the Caretaker, Frank, told us that Mike was in the hospital in San Bernardino with heart problems. He didn't make it sound urgent, but it must have been.

I asked him if Mike had relatives and Frank said there were sons, none of whom seemed to have much interest in Cerro Gordo. I only met Mike once, years ago, and I now wonder what the fate of Cerro Gordo will be. I would hate to see the place strip-mined. Fortunately silver values are very low.

A buddy and I drove by Mike's place at Swansea on the way up the Swansea---Cerro Gordo road to the salt tram terminal. He has a small spread all by itself out on a two lane highway just north of the old Owens Lake shoreline. Three or four dogs ran along the fence barking as we drove past and I wondered who was looking after the place while he was in San Bernardino.

As a person gets on in life, the accumulation of things and people and animals and plants that depend on you, can be a burden and a blessing. Mike had a world of things that he seemed to have needing his attention. I hope I can leave this earth in an orderly fashion, but who can say. We go when we go.

NJ

[JoeZona]

D*mn, that's too bad. Mike was a huge repository of Cerro Gordo history and trivia.

He will be surely missed.

[shirohniichan]

Thank you for the update. We missed him in early August, but apparently he wasn't in the hospital just yet (just not feeling well enough to stay at high altitudes). :(

[melodyandmaestro]

I was Mike Patterson's Wife from Nashville in 2003. Do you have more details? This is very sad. We wrote some hit songs at Cerro Gordo and I was the only one he would play his guitar in front of. What will happen to the Ghost town? Will it go to the woman scientist who was investing int he hotel? Or his sons? I know Jody married him because she new she had cancer and didn't want it go to back to the state.
I just received word that Mike Patterson, current owner of much of Cerro Gordo ghost town, died this morning. I don't have any particulars of cause of death or where he died. I surmise he will be buried next to his beloved Jody, in the cemetery in the ghost town.

When I get more particulars, I'll update this post.

[melodyandmaestro]

I worry about his animals. He had two mustangs that just sat around and got fed. He had several Kelpy dogs, hopefully someone is up there dealing with the animals.
That's is very sad. Two weeks ago when I was in Cerro Gordo, the Caretaker, Frank, told us that Mike was in the hospital in San Bernardino with heart problems. He didn't make it sound urgent, but it must have been.

I asked him if Mike had relatives and Frank said there were sons, none of whom seemed to have much interest in Cerro Gordo. I only met Mike once, years ago, and I now wonder what the fate of Cerro Gordo will be. I would hate to see the place strip-mined. Fortunately silver values are very low.

A buddy and I drove by Mike's place at Swansea on the way up the Swansea---Cerro Gordo road to the salt tram terminal. He has a small spread all by itself out on a two lane highway just north of the old Owens Lake shoreline. Three or four dogs ran along the fence barking as we drove past and I wondered who was looking after the place while he was in San Bernardino.

As a person gets on in life, the accumulation of things and people and animals and plants that depend on you, can be a burden and a blessing. Mike had a world of things that he seemed to have needing his attention. I hope I can leave this earth in an orderly fashion, but who can say. We go when we go.

NJ

[melodyandmaestro]

Mike and I were married on 03-03-03 and together wrote some of my best songs for my music ministry at Cerro Gordo. As you can imagine that peaceful setting as a place to write songs! I will never forget us picking on the guitars (I still have a tape of him playing lead) and singing “Lord Please Deliver Me From Myself” the next song we wrote, “I’ll See You When I Get There” was inspired by the loss of his dad whom I only met once. Mike had some great one liners and was a great person to write songs with. Few people know this, as I was the only person he would play his guitar in front of, although I tried to get him to play for others, he was too bashful.

Mike, you are very missed but our songs will live on!

MelodyQUOTE=David A. Wright;43509]I just received word that Mike Patterson, current owner of much of Cerro Gordo ghost town, died this morning. I don't have any particulars of cause of death or where he died. I surmise he will be buried next to his beloved Jody, in the cemetery in the ghost town.

When I get more particulars, I'll update this post.[/QUOTE]

[AZBang]

RIP Sorry to hear that. :(

[Norman Johnson]

Melody, it was good of you to add those kinds words.

NJ

[bre333]

This is so sad. I don't know him, but my boyfriend and I frequent that area. I would be interested in knowing who is going to take care of this gem? I would gladly donate my time & materials to helping maintain Cerro Gordo and Mike Patterson's legacy. Maybe a few of us could all get together one weekend out of the month and clean up and do some maintenance? In his memory? If anyone's interested, email me and I'll get the ball rolling. We need to take care of this place if no one else is going to. Thanks.
Bre.

[blackbuffalowoman]

Cerro Gordo is in safe hands. There is a caretaker there 24/7. The family is in charge of all projects on the premises. Tours may be taken with the caretaker at $10.00 per person. The phone number is still valid but may not always be answered, but rest assured, someone is there. Please respect the "Private Property" signs if you don't see the caretaker. He/she is around but may not be available for tours.

[GeorgiaAnn]

Hello - I was Michael's girlfriend in 2006 and even though we decided it would not work out for a more permenent relationship I remained close to him until his untimely death. Mostly visiting by phone... What a loss to all of us. A great loss to me to lose just a wonderful, awesome, Christian man as my loving friend. I will forever miss our long conversations, his honesty, his walk with Christ, and his intelligent. His values added much to our world and I feel most fortunate to have known him so well. He was truly a great friend and person. I miss him greatly. He will always hold a special place in my heart and live on through those memories. When I first saw him my desciption that came out of my mouth was "beautiful" and he was just that beautiful inside and out.

I went to Chloride recently and visit his gravesite, placing flowers there...I know that besides Cerro Gordo he has wonderful stories of his times in Chloride, Arizona. The wind was blowing, it was cold and very lovely, a place where our dear Michael would have liked and next to his dad...and other Pattersons.
I still have trouble accepting that he is gone...there were times we spoke on the phone for 8 to 10 hours solid at a time...only person that I never really tired of to listening to and hearing his voice. My upmost prayers to his mother, sons, grandchild and his many, many friends...he loved each of them so much. Georgia Taylor of Scottsdale, AZ

[Tyroler]

Cerro Gordo is in safe hands. There is a caretaker there 24/7. The family is in charge of all projects on the premises. Tours may be taken with the caretaker at $10.00 per person. The phone number is still valid but may not always be answered, but rest assured, someone is there. Please respect the "Private Property" signs if you don't see the caretaker. He/she is around but may not be available for tours.

Will be there around 20th/25th January.
Will be around 9th/11th in Barstow,and work me then forwards towards Bagdad,29Palms,indio

[josta]

The Cerro Gordo website is now down.....I hope it'll be back online soon!

[teds280z]

I am very sorry to hear this. I was going to go back up there this summer. Mike was a great guy. I met him taking a tour of Cerro Gordo. He really new alot of history. Im sure he will be missed greatly

[Cecile]

Here is the latest Cerro Gordo information:
The ghost town of Cerro Gordo remains open to day visitors. Volunteer caretakers have assumed day-to-day visitor operations and are in town at all times. In spite of rumors to the contrary, Cerro Gordo has not been abandoned or closed after Mike Patterson's death.

Cerro Gordo's official website (www.cerrogordo.us) is being updated. Please contact us through the email address below if you have questions about Cerro Gordo.

Town hours are from approximately 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. (PST), weather and road conditions permitting. Visitors should dress warmly, bring drinking water and haul out their own trash. Cerro Gordo shirts and souvenir silver-lead bullion bars are available for purchase in the American Hotel. Admission is $10 per person.

cerrogordo.ehc@gmail.com

You can find many stories and histories of Cerro Gordo on my website by searching thru my archives and links on the sidebar menu.

www.explorehistoricalif.com