Top Ten Ghost Towns in the West
Langtry, Texas
Dating back to 1881, when the railroad was completed and a silver spike was hammered into the ground as a symbol the railroad line was completed, Langtry became part of the Texan history. Today the town of Langtry offers some great opportunity for the tourist, including the Langtry Baptist Church, which is still being used and the Visitor’s Center offers many displays of one of the town’s most prominent citizens, Judge Roy Bean. Still visible are the limestone bridge supports that were part of the old railroad route.
Dodge City, Kansas
With over 100,000 tourists visiting Dodge City and it being the setting for many Hollywood films, Dodge City is one of the most historic places to visit in the West. Once known as a lawless-city, it soon became the home to some of the most infamous officers of the past, including Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, Bill Tilghman, and Charlie Bassett.
While visiting Dodge City, places to see are Boot Hill Cemetery, Boot Hill Museum, and of course, the notorious Front Street, where men once dueled it out in the street.
Virginia City, Montana
Located high in the Rocky Mountains, Virginia City became home to over 100,000 people after the first gold was discovered in 1863. In 1865, it became the Territorial Capital and today is still the epitome of the Old West. When visiting Virginia City, which almost seems frozen in time, you’ll want to take some time to participate in one of the many walking tours available. Here you’ll revisit the past and discover many Victorian style homes still intact, as well as the 1876 courthouse and the Governor’s Mansion, which has recently been restored.
Kingston, New Mexico
Known as one of the wildest towns in the West, Kingston was once home to twenty-two saloons, while only having one church. Once silver ore was found in 1882, the silver mining camp once known as Percha City became Kingston, named after another mining camp, the Iron King. Within a short time, the city of Kingston came alive with prospectors and minors. Few respectable women came to Kingston-most of the women that settled in, were simply there for the men’s entertainment. When visiting Kingston, you’ll want to visit the Victorio Hotel, Percha Bank, and the fire station, where an 1877 brass bell still sits that once was used to call the firemen and announce the arrival of the mail.
Tombstone, Arizona
Once booming with prospectors and miners, Tombstone, though notorious for its violence, was also one of the most cultural towns located in the West. With four churches, two banks, a school, and even an opera house, Tombstone became home to approximately fifteen-thousand people. While visiting Tombstone, make sure you stop at the OK Corral, where the notorious fight took place between the Earps, Doc Holiday, and the Clanton and McLaury brothers. You’ll also want to visit the gravestones of Tom and Frank McLaury and Billy Canton. The Silver Nugget Saloon, Big Nose Kates Saloon, Tombstone Epitaph, Tombstone Courthouse, and Birdcage Theater are all places will allow you to experience history of the West, leaving you awestruck. Of course, Tombstone holds many other experiences for the tourists, such as old mining shacks.
Rhyolite, Nevada
Considering one of the best ghost towns to see in the state of Nevada, Rhyolite came to be in 1904, the result of a great ore strike. The townspeople soon built it up, anticipating the town to live on forever, building a schoolhouse, a exorbitantly styled bank, and yet, they overbuilt, not foreseeing the financial downfall in 1907 and the mines striking out by 1909. With this, many packed up and left. When visiting Rhyolite, be sure to visit what remains of the jail, school, bank, and, of course, the Las Vegas & Tonopah Railroad Station. You’ll also be able to see the Bottle House, built in 1906, out of beer and champagne bottles.
South Pass City, Wyoming
After gold was discovered in a Sweetwater Creek, South Pass City began to come along quite strong and by 1870 had over four-thousand residents. Soon, though, settlers moved elsewhere and the town diminished. There are, however, still a few residents living in South Pass City and many of the town’s original structures are still standing. While visiting South Pass, make sure you visit Carissa Saloon, the Pest House, dating back to 1869 it is the oldest hospital in Wyoming, and don’t forget the Idaho House, which was the finest hotel in South Pass and Robert Todd Lincoln was once a guest. Of course, there are many other structures to see in South Pass, such as the Old School House, the South Pass Saloon, and look for all of the old artifacts lying about the old mining areas. Tourists visiting South Pass City will be enthralled with the history of the West.
Nevada City, California
For a time, Nevada City was the third largest city in the state and had started out as a small mining camp along Deer Creek in 1849. With hotels, saloons, brothels, and even opium dens, it had its share of murder and mayhem. However, Nevada City has stood out in time and is still residence to many, who help keep the history of the town alive. When visiting Nevada City, be sure to take in many of the still standing saloons, the National Hotel, built in 1856, the New York Hotel, and the firehouses, the Pennsylvania Engine Co. 2 and the Nevada Hose Co. 1. History comes alive in a place like Nevada City and just be sure to visit the National Register of Historic Places, as they can lead you to over ninety-three buildings and eighteen registered landmarks.
Berlin, Nevada
Berlin is another one of the ghost towns that should be high on your list to see. Not only will you be able to see the old mining camps, you’ll also be able to see the area where dinosaur fossils were discovered by miners back in the 1860s. Although it took until the early 1900s for the significance of the fossils to make any impact, Berlin eventually became a State Park and therefore, protects the remains of the mining camps and fossils, even setting up a public dig site.
Sego, Utah
While most Western ghost towns have a history of mining for gold and silver, in Sego, it was coal they were after. The town formed shortly after 1890 when coal was discovered and then experienced many problems, such as lack of water. The town was able to hang on, however, until the mine was closed in 1947. Sego is another ghost town that will offer more than a mining ghost town as it is also home to petroglyphs from three different Native American tribes. Not only will you get to see the well-preserved town, but you’ll also encounter some of the best historical Native American rock art in Sego.
When touring ghost towns, it is very important not to move, remove, burn, or disturb anything you might find when milling about the towns. Even a piece of wood half-buried in the sand can be of historical significance. Enjoy your quest of the past and take time to explore the regions thoroughly and make sure you take your camera and plenty of film as the West holds some of the most beautiful scenery in the States.
