In 12 abandoned towns across the US that have been left to slowly deteriorate as nature takes back the land

These husks of their former selves, which range from faded boom towns to places abandoned as a result of natural disasters, serve as reminders that civilization doesn’t always find a way and that what has been built can melt away.

Abandoned towns litter the landscape of the US. Residents left them to slowly deteriorate and allow nature to reclaim the land.In some areas, the dry climate has kept the buildings in excellent condition, making visiting these ghost towns feel like traveling back in time.Most inhabitants left the towns after the towns’ wealth dried up, but some did so for more sinister causes, like natural disasters.The 12 spookiest ghost towns in the US are listed below.

#1 Kennicott, Alaska

From 1905 to 1938, thousands of families and miners flocked to the busy town of Kennicott, which produced nine million ounces of silver and over 590,000 tonnes of copper.However, by the late 1920s, profits had begun to fall, and the Kennecott Copper Corporation had started exploring other markets in North America.A decision was made in 1938 to shut down the Kennecott operation due to rising costs and the fact that the cost of fixing the railroads was expected to reach millions of dollars.

The site was simply abandoned because it would have been too expensive to remove the equipment.The local Parks Service is currently making an ardent effort to stop further decay, but often it is unavoidable.

#2 Rockport, Utah

Rockport Reservoir is so low right now that many of the foundations of the old town are now visible. The town was flooded back in the 1950s to create the reservoir. pic.twitter.com/9QhuEoCAFl

— Devon Dewey (@DevonDewey) September 16, 2021

A forgotten “ghost town” that was submerged underwater after a dam was built emerged from its watery grave 64 years later, as droughts continue to grip the US during the summer.Five years after the Wanship Dam project was approved by the White House, the Utah town of Rockport completely vanished in 1957.The small town, which had once flourished, was still home to 27 families at the time. It was situated in a confined area of Weber Valley at the mouth of Three Mile Canyon.The ruins reappeared when the water levels were at their lowest point in years.

#3 California’s Calico

Calico, which once boasted more than 500 silver mines, is now a sleepy mining town with a small population but a large number of tourists.This is due to the fact that the abandoned town has been turned into a museum where you can explore the Old West-style structures (including a school), in addition to the fact that some of the mines are open for tours.It has also been designated a Historical Landmark as a result of the preservation of its buildings.

#4 Terlingua, Texas

When the thriving Chisos quicksilver mining operation declared bankruptcy in the 1940s, Terlingua changed from a bustling hub to a nearly deserted ghost town.Today, it still has a gift shop, unique lodging options, restaurants, and bars, so it isn’t entirely deserted.There are also old-town structures that are still standing strong, like the neighborhood movie theater.Oh, and foodies might want to save it for the renowned “chili cook-off” championship, which has in the past attracted tens of thousands of tourists to the abandoned town.

#5 Nevada Rhyolite

During the Gold Rush in the early 1900s, Rhyolite flourished in Nevada’s Death Valley, where it was tucked away.It was thriving, with shops, houses, and schools; however, as the Gold Rush faded, the town rapidly declined.Currently, it is a collection of dilapidated structures and ruins, though some buildings, like the bank and the train station, still stand tall.

Due to its location on Nevada’s Death Drive, the town is well-liked by travelers who want to get some exercise and explore the abandoned area.

#6 Shaniko, Oregon

Shaniko needs to be on your radar if you want to experience a sense of time travel to the Old West.Previously hailed as the “Wool Capital of the World,” it is now all but deserted, but several of its iconic structures still stand tall, including the Shaniko Hotel, City Hall, which includes a jail, a school, and a post office, as well as a jail.There are a few fake facades because the town itself is a popular tourist destination, but the ancient structures and ruins are authentic.

#7 Thurmond, West Virginia

Thurmond prospered at the start of the twentieth century.It was extremely wealthy thanks to its trains and location near coal mines. Hotels were consistently full, and stores and saloons were constantly busy.However, as the demand for coal decreased, the town’s residents started to leave for greener pastures, and eventually, it was left to rot.Since then, it has largely remained unchanged, despite some restoration work done when it was designated a National Park Historical Site.Today, you can go to the town and take tours to learn everything there is to know about its fascinating past.

#8 Colorado’s St. Elmo

Around 2,000 people lived in St Elmo in the 1880s when it was a well-liked location for gold and silver mining.It is praised as one of Colorado’s best-preserved ghost towns, despite the fact that a small number of people still live there.

Many of its original structures are still standing, and work is being done to restore some of its larger structures, like the Town Hall.

#9 Arizona’s Goldfield

Goldfield, a mining town, had saloons, a boarding house, a general store, a blacksmith shop, a brewery, a meat market, and a school in the 1890s.However, as the ore was exhausted, the town’s inhabitants gradually left for new adventures, and it gradually started to become a ghost town.It is now a popular tourist destination and historical location.You can go on walking tours or mine tours to learn more about the ghosts that are rumored to haunt the area. (Those really after a thrill can even have a go on the zip line).

#10 South Pass City, Wyoming

One of Wyoming’s largest historic sites, this deserted city is open to visitors during the summer.The city was at the center of an active mining region with numerous gold mines when it was at its peak.However, according to the Daily Mail, as soon as the mines stopped producing gold, locals began to gradually leave.Additionally, a law making Wyoming the first US territory to allow women to vote was signed in that city.A whopping 51 years before similar rights were granted to women in the US in 1920, the law was signed in 1869.

#11 Pennsylvania’s Centralia

After a coal mine fire in the 1960s, Centralia went from being a busy town to being almost completely abandoned.The nearby highway used to have cracks that let smoke seep through. Despite the rarity of these sightings today, the underground fire is still burning more than 60 years later.

Due to the toxic substances and potentially unstable sections of the roads, Centralia is not a popular tourist destination.

#12 Fairbank, Arizona

As Tombstone’s closest rail stop once, Fairbank was in a prime location for both travelers and mining companies that needed to ship their cargo across the nation.

However, the town gradually lost its appeal after the nearby mines closed.