Ghost Town Etiquette: The Visitor's Code of Conduct How to explore respectfully, preserve history, and ensure ghost towns survive for future generations ## Why Etiquette Matters Ghost towns are irreplaceable time capsules. Unlike restored historic sites, most ghost towns survive through benign neglect - and every visitor's actions either help preserve or hasten their decay. The rules aren't complicated, but they matter deeply. > "Take only photographs, leave only footprints, kill only time." > - The explorer's creed, adapted for ghost towns --- ## The 10 Commandments of Ghost Town Visiting ### 1. Never Take Artifacts - Period This is the most important rule. It's tempting. That rusted nail, that purple glass bottle, that weathered board with hand-forged nails. But here's what happens when thousands of visitors each take "just one small thing": - Bodie lost countless artifacts before becoming a state park - Rhyolite has little left at ground level from decades of scavenging - Private ghost towns have been stripped to foundations The "Curse of Bodie" Park rangers at Bodie receive packages nearly every day - artifacts returned by visitors convinced they've been cursed since taking them. Bad luck? Guilt? Doesn't matter. The point is: leave everything exactly where you found it. #### Legal Consequences | Location Type | Penalty | |--------------|---------| | State/National Parks | Fines up to $10,000+ | | BLM Land | Fines up to $1,000 | | National Historic Sites | Federal crime | | Private Property | Theft charges | ### 2. Don't "Rearrange" for Photos Photographers sometimes move objects for "better" compositions. This destroys: - Historical context - Where something sits tells a story - Archaeological evidence - Researchers study placement patterns - Other visitors' experience - They deserve to see authenticity too If you want a specific composition, find it - don't create it. ### 3. Stay on Marked Paths Paths exist for two reasons: 1. Your safety - Unmarked areas may hide hazards (mine shafts, unstable ground) 2. Site preservation - Foot traffic damages fragile surfaces Walking through buildings, even "just for a quick look," hastens structural collapse. Your footsteps create vibrations; floors weaken with each visitor. ### 4. Don't Enter Buildings Unless Explicitly Allowed "But the door was open..." Open doors don't mean open invitations. Most ghost town buildings are: - Structurally unsound - Off-limits for preservation - Protected by law Some state parks (like Columbia, CA) have buildings you can enter. These are clearly marked. For everything else, look through windows. ### 5. Photograph Respectfully What's okay: - Photographing exteriors from public areas - Shooting through windows from outside - Using telephoto lenses for details - Drone photography where specifically permitted What's not okay: - Flash photography through glass (damages artifacts) - Climbing on structures for "the shot" - Staged photos with "props" (artifacts you've moved) - Posting exact GPS coordinates of fragile sites ### 6. Leave No Trace (Literally) Pack out everything you bring in: - Food wrappers and bottles - Cigarette butts (fire hazard too!) - Photography equipment packaging - Any and all trash Ghost towns in remote areas have no trash service. Your garbage becomes permanent unless you remove it. ### 7. Control Pets and Children Dogs: - Leashes required at most sites - Keep away from wildlife and fragile areas - Clean up after them (pack out waste) - Some sites prohibit pets entirely Children: - Supervise constantly near hazards - Teach the rules before arrival - Make it educational, not destructive - Consider their endurance - short visits work best ### 8. Respect Other Visitors Ghost towns should feel contemplative, even reverent. Help maintain that atmosphere: - Keep voices low - Don't monopolize photo spots - Give space for others' experiences - If playing music, use headphones The person quietly standing at a headstone might be a descendant. The photographer waiting for light might have driven 500 miles. Everyone deserves their moment. ### 9. Verify Access Before Visiting Many "ghost towns" are on private property. Visiting without permission is: - Trespassing - A crime in all states - Disrespectful - Landowners deal with trash, vandalism, and liability - Unnecessary - Many owners grant permission if asked How to verify: 1. Check land ownership (BLM, Forest Service, private) 2. Look for posted signs 3. Ask locally (general stores, gas stations) 4. Research online for visiting information ### 10. Report Vandalism and Theft If you witness someone: - Removing artifacts - Spray-painting graffiti - Damaging structures - Digging for relics Report it. Take photos if safe. Get license plates if possible. Contact: - Park rangers (at protected sites) - Local sheriff (on private/public land) - BLM/Forest Service law enforcement You are a steward of these sites. Act like one. --- ## Special Situations ### Private Ghost Towns Some ghost towns are privately owned but allow visitors. These often have: - Entrance fees ($5-20 typical) - Guided tours only - Stricter rules than public sites - Liability waivers to sign Examples: Vulture City (AZ), Shakespeare (NM), Phelps Dodge ghost towns Support these owners - they're preserving history at personal expense. ### Active Archaeological Sites Some ghost towns are being actively studied. If you encounter: - Marked excavation areas - Grid strings or flags - Researchers at work Stay well clear. A single footprint can destroy weeks of work. ### Ghost Towns on Native American Land Many Western ghost towns sit on or near tribal lands. Additional considerations: - Verify tribal policies before visiting - Some areas require permits - Cultural sites may be off-limits - Respect is paramount ### Cemeteries Ghost town cemeteries deserve particular respect: - Never walk on graves - Don't do grave rubbings without permission - Don't move headstones for photos - Leave flowers if you wish, but nothing that won't decompose --- ## What If Everyone Did What You're Doing? The simplest ethical test: Would this ghost town survive if every visitor behaved like me? - If you take one artifact, and 10,000 visitors take one artifact, the site is stripped. - If you walk through one building, and 10,000 visitors walk through it, the floor collapses. - If you leave one piece of trash, times 10,000... you get the picture. Your individual impact matters because you're not alone. --- ## The Reward for Doing It Right When everyone follows these guidelines, ghost towns remain: - Authentic - Unchanged from how abandonment left them - Atmospheric - Undisturbed by modern intrusion - Available - Open for decades more of visitors - Alive - The past preserved in physical form That's worth more than any souvenir you could pocket. --- Last Updated: December 2024 Adapted from National Park Service, Leave No Trace principles, and ghost town preservation organizations. Thank you for being a responsible visitor.