Four years ago, as this newsroom's brand-new environment reporter, I was assigned to cover a story about the drought.
I had no idea it would turn into "California City," a seven-part investigative podcast launched by LAist Studios this week about the bizarre history of a half-built town in the Mojave Desert where, for over 60 years, real estate developers have sold a dream: If you buy land here, you'll be rich one day.
A lot of people did buy in California City. But most of them didn't make a penny.
California City is a podcast that exposes the dark side of the American Dream. This Western crime-noir chronicles the bizarre history of a small town. For over 60 years, real estate developers have sold a dream: if you buy land now, you’ll be rich one day. https://t.co/MoYi3irHxB pic.twitter.com/5EuKDl2000
— LAist (@LAist) July 14, 2020
To hear how the dream of California City has been carried on for more than half a century, you can listen and subscribe here.
To hear me talk about the podcast today, tune in to our public affairs and culture show Take Two with A Martinez at 2 p.m. on 89.3 KPCC, or livestream it here.
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