About Ghost Towns Close-To-Me

Documenting America's abandoned places, one town at a time.

Our Mission

Ghost Towns Close-To-Me is a comprehensive directory of abandoned towns, mining camps, and forgotten settlements across the United States. We believe these places deserve documentation - not as morbid curiosities, but as windows into American history.

Every ghost town tells a story. Of miners chasing gold. Of farmers fighting drought. Of communities built on hope and abandoned when hope ran out. These stories matter, and we're committed to preserving them.

What We Offer

• 200+ Ghost Towns: Detailed profiles with history, photos, and visitor information
• Interactive Maps: Find abandoned places near you or plan a road trip
• Practical Guides: Safety tips, photography advice, and travel itineraries
• Regular Updates: New towns added monthly as we expand our coverage

How We Research

Each ghost town profile combines information from multiple sources:

• State and local historical societies
• National Register of Historic Places nominations
• Bureau of Land Management records
• Academic papers and local histories
• On-the-ground visits when possible

We prioritize accuracy over sensationalism. If we're not sure about something, we say so.

Preservation Matters

Ghost towns face real threats: vandalism, artifact theft, and uncontrolled development. We encourage all visitors to follow the principles of responsible exploration:

• Take only photographs
• Leave only footprints
• Respect property boundaries
• Report vandalism when you see it

Get Started

Ready to explore? Start by browsing ghost towns by state, or check out our curated road trip itineraries for multi-day adventures.

Contact

Have a correction, tip, or question? We'd love to hear from you. Ghost Towns Close-To-Me is part of the Close-To-Me family of location-based directories.