I've always been interested in ghost towns, but I haven't been to one since I was a kid. I live in New Mexico and there are plenty around, however, most have been restored and serve as tourist spots. Although, I think those would be worth visiting I would love to go see one that is untouched. Of course you would have to be careful of deer mice nesting in old buildings (Hantavirus). Anyway, I think it would be a cool passtime to travel around the region and see some. Has anyone done this before?

When I was about 13 I went on a week long backpacking trip in the Southern Colorado Mountains. We came across an old cabin next to a river that was in ruins. It was so interesting to see the cookware and things that were left behind. It kind of gave you an idea of their lifestyles back in the day. This river scene was incredibly beautiful too. We crossed the river on a rope system that we improvised. I sure wish I had a camera. That was the best trip of my life in terms of adventure. I sure wish I could do it again. Maybe some day.

 

99.9% of all the old ghost towns have either been preserved, torn down, or fenced off. I would LOVE to find out where some untouched ghost towns are, but their locations are very carefully guarded. About the best I've been able to do is find old mining equipment left out in the Nevada desert.

 

I lived in AZ for 29 years (just moved to PA) and went to a few ghost towns when I was a kid, they were pretty cool. I'm sure I could appreciate them much more being "older and wiser". Like andym said, nowadays they're preserved out the wazoo, so much that some of the buildings are actually used to sell tourist junk. I almost forgot to mention that about 10-15 years ago, they actually built a ghost town out by the Superstition Mountains. No joke, talk about lame....

http://www.goldfieldghosttown.com/

 

http://www.ghosttowngallery.com/

Check out some of Colorado's ghost towns. I think I'm going to plan a trip to Animas Forks next summer with my wife and some friends. Looks pretty amazing!

 

Wow, that place does look amazing. I spent a couple weeks in Ouray, Co and they have a ton of ambandoned mines and stuff like that.

 

I kick myself for not exploring more of Southern Colorado when I lived in Farmington, NM. Sure was a lot closer than Albuquerque. I sent that link to my wife at work and she wants to check it out too.

 

I've never been there but Bodie, California is very interesting and preserved as it was when last occupied, bullet holes and all.

There is a very interesting story about the times of Bodie (1840's - 1920's) and a woman who lived there, Rosa May, in a book called: "Rosa May; The Search For A Mining Camp Legend", by George Williams III. You can find it sometimes on ebay. A real good human-interest story. The auther not only talks about the town and Rosa but the adventures he had in tracking down info on her and the town. A real good book.

-1bigsteve (o:

 

There is a so called ghost town called Rodney here in MS. I visted about 6 years ago and there are still a few folks living there although most of the town is abandoned.
Rodney was once on the MS river until it shifted course. There is a brick church there with a cannon ball lodged in the front wall.

I didn't get to explore any of the old town structures but I enjoyed the visit plus learning about the history of the town.

It's sad to say but a lot of the small towns around where I live are slowly dying. Most of the town stores are closed having lost out to larger town retail giants whoose names I won't mention. I remember as a kid going to town with my grandparents on a Saturday night and it was alive with people. Now....the sidewalks are "rolled up" after 5 pm.

 

http://www.ghosttowns.com/

 

I'd love to go to a ghost town, sounds like a lot of fun. The real ghost towns have to be the most interesting, the ones where no one is living there and/ or no one comes by to clean up all the time.

- Chris

 

I've never been to a ghost town but I've seen abandoned cabins in the bush. They just had a little plaque saying who lived there and what they did, I think it was a prospector. I've also went on hiking trip in my outdoor ed class last year and we walked through a small abandoned settlement. The foundation of a house was there and old bed frames and stoves and an old fire towers foundation to. It's interesting to see that someone actually lived there out in the middle of nowhere with next to nothing.

 

Gotlift, I have been to Animas Forks several times. I would suggest coming in from the Lake City side. You will pass numerous old gold mines and a tram system and you can also rumage thru the spoils and pick up gold. I have several hundred pounds of gold ore that is a great conversation piece for guests. I picked up a chunk of silver the size of a baseball at Bachelor City above Creede. Creede is also a good visit as well as Carson, which is named after Kit Carson. Carson is above Lake City. Might as well see Capitol City while you are there. It was built to be the capitol of Colorado but failed. There is a brick kiln there and other things. Actually , there are a lot of things to see around Lake City but it is becoming populated pretty quick with access being cut off to joe common. Make sure to take a camera and a fishing pole. If you go in the fall like late September, the salmon are running and the trees are turning colors. Another neat ride is the steam train from Chamas to Antonito. You won't believe some of the grades it pulls and at least half of the trip is nowhere near a hiway. You want to go from the Chamas to Antonito direction and get tickets on the right side of the car. And take a coat no matter what time of year you go.

 

Life without a Ford, unimaginable!

 

I know some people will say I am nuts, but I want to visit the ultimate Ghost town: Chernobyl. As someone who is interested in the history of atomic energy, both peaceful and non peaceful, I want to see what TMI chould have been. The town is as it was in 86....everyone just left. (after a completely screwed up evacuation/firefighting effort/encapsulation). I just think this would be a very interesting (and awakening) place to visit.

The Simple Serf

 

you'll wanna check this site out if you're into chernobyl

http://www.kiddofspeed.com/chapter1.html