Darwin, California: Life In A Lawless Town | Real Stories Full-Length Documentary

These are the type of documentaries that need to be made more often no fake or staged people or stories pure raw emotions and stories

My grandmother owned a trailer court here in southern NM. She bought the land in the late 50s and by the late 60s she had close to 30 trailers for rent. Most of the renters had been there since day one. Grandmother was very close friends with a lot of the people. It was neat how the people were like characters in a TV show. I grew up in and around that trailer court until grandmother passed in the late 80s. All of her friends knew me and my mom and brother as well as the rest of my family who lived in town. A tight knit, friendly, warm and welcoming community. I always felt so secure and welcome there. Grandmother was like the boss around there in some of the rent trailers there would be people fighting, getting drunk and loud. My aunt was married to my un le who was a biker who rode for the 1% MC here and they as well as a dozen others lived in the 4 rent trailers across from the office and grandmother's trailer. When things got heated the bikers handled it. It didn't get out of hand very often. I wish the trailer court hadn't been sold. I always had somewhere to live rent free if I wanted. The court was shady all spring and summer with pecan trees, willows and mulberry trees. There was grass on every lot. I used to love it when it rained. Other than the awesome monsoon storms that hit here for the summer the rains would flood parts of the court. My aunt and uncles yard was all grass and the low spot turned into a swimming hole. At 8 years old it seemed like deep water anyway. There was a little store next door with a gas station and laundromat. We used to rake lea as for quarters to go buy slushies and candy. I drve by that old lot here and there. It's got a bunch of tiny one bedroom houses on it. It isnt the quaint little paradise it used to be. It was a colorful community. A place that embraced us everytime we went over. I miss the pecans in a bottle of Coke. I miss grandmother. Darwin reminds me of our little community so much.

Amazing to find a place where everyone, whatever their past and hardships, has found a sanctuary where they can live their lives in peace. Everyone in the video seemed so easy going and content.

How all documentaries should be. Open, candid, no script. Great job.

In a world where no one is listening because they are all too busy talking about themselves we forget there are people worth listening to, who have stories that are truly unique and worth telling. If we can't sit quiet long enough to hear them tell it we lose not only their story, we lose a part of our own.

Beautiful Documentary. No fake reporting but allowing the residents to tell their own stories in their own words, their own thoughts. Simple and straight.

This is an outstanding documentary, beautifully photographed. The good people of Darwin really opened up to the crew. This documentary deserves many awards.

The postmaster talking about her son at the end made my cry right along with her.

Darwin reminds me of the island of misfit toys from the Christmas cartoon, yet these misfits have found a way to survive together in a cruel and unforgiving world. I admire them a lot and wish them the best.

I love documentaries like this. Just letting people talk and allowing them tell their own stories. Great job.

I live relatively close to Darwin and was a FedEx delivery driver for the town. I had a paper hand drawn map to find the homes to deliver to because street names and the addresses for homes or trailers are not easily found. Physical landmarks were the best way to navigate to different locations because street signs were not common. I once delivered a wedding dress for one of the residents who was having a pagan wedding in the circle art garden and she was very sweet and talkative but other than that you didn’t really see anyone around there at all. The Darwin Mine was hiring people a few years ago to work as laborers and offering lodging as part of their compensation but it doesn’t seem like the mine has stayed open since then. It’s got a lot of charming art sculptures around the town and neat old buildings from the mining days but most of the people seem to live in trailers. They are a 45 minute drive to any food or gas stations so I imagine it’s a tough place to live. Thankful for all the stories that were told by these residents of Darwin and wish there was a way to get another one for these people still living there!

That postal lady is hammered

I was on an adventure motorcycle ride 4 years ago. We came out of Apple Valley and went on dirt roads all over Death Valley. At one point we ended up in Darwin. It was like a ghost town with a few people living there. We never saw anyone. I'm really glad I got to see this documentary. The way these people live I believe is good for the soul. Live and let live.

My great grandfather was born there in 1876. Doing some family research and wow.

The music in this documentary is beautiful and I really found all the stories so interesting, almost like listening to my parents telling me stories! I love being reminded to slow down in life and really take the time to appreciate what you have in the moment.

I love documentaries to see and let people express themselves sit down face to face and actually hear them unwind. You can walk away, go shopping, come back and they will still be there talking so amazing. thanks!

Susan’s best quotes; “Even a broken clock is right twice a day” “I’ve got the best job, regardless Of...you know, it’s the only job” 🤣♥️ I like Susan.

Susan, two weeks without smoking, "Meanwhile, I'm a postal worker, & I haven't killed anyone" ... with a totally straight face. She's a character!

This is beautiful & I am grateful this documentary exists. I love these people.

Fascinating and heartwarming. But I could never live in such a desolate landscape. Nope never. Although the stars at night must be stunning