Curbed - Snatch Up a California Gold Rush Ghost Town for $225K
While the opportunity to buy an entire town is exciting in its own right, the rare chance to snap one up for under a million is enough to make anyone consider skipping town to play some live-action Sims. Indeed, the town of Seneca, Calif.—a 9.8-acre gold mining ghost town seated 100 miles northwest of Lake Tahoe—is no exception, listed on Craigslist for a paltry $225K.
Originally founded by a crew of 500 Chinese miners in 1851, the property now includes waterfront access on both sides of the Feather River, a small island, three run-down cabins, and the Gin Mill—a liquor-licensed bar the listing...
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· $225000 Seneca—ghost-town with liquor license (Seneca) [Craigslist via HuffPost Home]
· All towns for sale posts [Curbed National]
$225000 Seneca -- ghost-town with liquor license (Seneca)
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The Feather River runs right through this beautiful and remote property. We own on both sides of the river, plus an island...with a swimming hole (shown in a pic). It comes with all rights (mineral, timber, etc). There are no known environmental hazards. We have owned since the mid-1970's.
The deal will include the bar, land, license, and 3 cabins in states of (dis)repair....
Annual property taxes are about $700. The annual seasonal (April>Dec) liquor license fee is about $400.
The liquor license alone is a valuable asset, as there aren't many liquor licenses in this county. There is no "distillery." The bar is called "the Gin Mill," but that is just its name. There was no business activity at the bar this past season. But the bar can be opened whenever one likes.
The new owner of a liquor license has to be eligible and that there is a county approval process in such a transfer.
There are no outside utilities. A generator is required to provide power. A water pipe is connected to a spring up the hill a bit. A propane tank can be filled for cooling for a refrigerator. The 2 bathrooms have a septic system.
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Seneca is the real McCoy. Historic. It was a Gold Rush mining town with hotel, stores, houses, a population of maybe a thousand. Very close to historic Chinese-built gold mines -- with 500 Chinese miners and an opium den. Old mining equipment is laying around. (There is active small-scale gold mining today in the nearby region.) A miner once showed us his week's fines (on the side, after others had left): a jelly-jar of gold -- did you know gold weighs almost twice as much as lead? It was impressive to pick it up!
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Using Google Map you have enough info to drive out and take a look and see the 4 total buildings and river and surrounding acres. After you have taken a look, if you're still serious it's likely that one guided tour can likely be arranged this fall to see the boundary markers, etc., depending on weather. (The Plumas County seat also has the public info about the property and its boundaries.) So we suggest a self-guided visit first. The owner is on good terms with the neighbors, but respect their privacy. This is serious country as regards trespassing and pilfering, as well as for getting lost.
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How cool is that? Santa? Are you there? I've been a good boy, is this a little much for Christmas? :P How cool that the town has a liquor license...!
(via Curbed LA - Town for Sale)
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