A nearly abandoned town in California could sell for around $6 million. It's been 'trapped in time' for decades.
Campo is about a mile away from the US-Mexico border. Many residents work for US Customs and Border Protection.
Most of the buildings were erected in the 1940s. The town has seen only minor changes since.
Campo has a military history: The area was home to the Buffalo Soldiers, all-black regiments of the US Army, during World War II. After the war, a base in Campo housed Italian and German war prisoners.
When Ray bought the town in around 2000, he didn't do any major renovations, Brennan said.
"There's an onsite manager who lives in one of the buildings and she lets him know when things need be done," Brennan said. "He just keeps it repaired as needed. It's kind of still trapped in time."
In addition to the church and post office, the future buyer will gain ownership of a thrift store, cabinet store, and supply shop.
Seven of the listing's properties are commercial units, Brennan said. That includes East County Lumber & Ranch Supply — a one-stop-shop selling everything from gardening tools to cat food to cowboy hats.
The store's co-owner, Bob Marks, told the Union-Tribune that he's fond of the shop's "old-time" vibe.
"I'd like to keep it, basically, the same," he said.
Some Campo residents live in converted Army barracks.
The former Army barracks have been divided into single-family homes and apartments. The listing includes eight multi-family units, two of which are vacant. Brennan said there are 28 residences in total.
"The town is very, very tight. Everybody knows each other," he said. "It's a place where they feel safe and if anything happens, everybody knows about it."
Residents are entitled to stay in their homes until their leases run out, Brennan said.
The new buyer could choose not to renew those leases, but Brennan thinks the future owner will be a hands-off investor like Ray.
"It appealed to him that he was taking over a whole town," Brennan said. "I'm assuming there would be a similar buyer now."
A Hollywood producer has already put in an offer.
Since the Union-Tribune article came out, Brennan said he has received "a bunch of ego-driven calls" from people who want to own Campo. But Ray's ideal buyer, he said, would "keep the history of the town while modernizing it and bringing all of the abandoned buildings up to speed."
Brennan added that he has already signed a non-disclosure agreement with a Hollywood producer who put in a serious offer.
"Whoever owns this and invests in it — they're going to decide the future for the town," he said.
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