 In the same year Hammel sold his interest in the Bella Union and went to Kern County, where there was a gold rush.Both Hammel and Denker located in Havilah and built a hotel there, naming it, again, the Bella Union.It was a profitable business for a time, but when the rush declined, about 1868, Hammel returned to Los Angeles, with Denker remaining behind to close up the business.