Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Just over a century ago, a group of idealists set out to build a brand new society in the Mojave Desert.
Led by former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Job Harriman, the Llano del Río Cooperative Colony was one of the most ambitious socialist experiments in American history. Hundreds of people came here hoping to create a community built on cooperation rather than competition. They constructed homes, schools, workshops, businesses, and even generated their own electricity.
But despite the optimism, the dream would last only a few short years.
In this video, we explore the fascinating history of Llano del Río, walk among the surviving ruins, and uncover what really caused the colony to fail. Was it politics? Poor planning? Or was the unforgiving Mojave Desert simply too much to overcome?
Join me as we explore one of California's most unusual ghost towns.
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►Join us on Patreon: patreon.com/SidetrackAdventures
►Please subscribe for weekly updates showcasing some of our adventures: youtube.com/channel/UCdueDRFYPVgzPAAOM_bxVWA?sub_confirmation=1
►Also please follow Sidetrack Adventures on Instagram: instagram.com/sidetrackadventures
►Music in this video is from Epidemic Sounds; use our link for a free trial: share.epidemicsound.com/v927fj
Just over a century ago, a group of idealists set out to build a brand new society in the Mojave Desert.
Led by former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Job Harriman, the Llano del Río Cooperative Colony was one of the most ambitious socialist experiments in American history. Hundreds of people came here hoping to create a community built on cooperation rather than competition. They constructed homes, schools, workshops, businesses, and even generated their own electricity.
But despite the optimism, the dream would last only a few short years.
In this video, we explore the fascinating history of Llano del Río, walk among the surviving ruins, and uncover what really caused the colony to fail. Was it politics? Poor planning? Or was the unforgiving Mojave Desert simply too much to overcome?
Join me as we explore one of California's most unusual ghost towns.
○ Gear we use: amazon.com/shop/sidetrackadventures
►Join us on Patreon: patreon.com/SidetrackAdventures
►Please subscribe for weekly updates showcasing some of our adventures: youtube.com/channel/UCdueDRFYPVgzPAAOM_bxVWA?sub_confirmation=1
►Also please follow Sidetrack Adventures on Instagram: instagram.com/sidetrackadventures
►Music in this video is from Epidemic Sounds; use our link for a free trial: share.epidemicsound.com/v927fj
