Faulkner
When the Trains Left
State: Kansas
County: Graham County
Founded: 1887
Abandoned: 1960s
Peak Population: 1,000
Faulkner was a railroad town on the Union Pacific line in western Kansas. Grain elevators, merchants, and farmers depended on the railroad. When truck transportation replaced rail, the town declined. Today, the grain elevator stands as a massive monument to the past.
Railroad Town
Faulkner grew around the railroad depot. Farmers brought grain to the elevators, and supplies arrived by train.
Trucks Replace Trains
When trucks became more efficient for grain transport, the railroad's importance faded. Young people left for cities, and businesses closed.
Timeline
- 1887 - Founded Railroad reached the area
- 1920s - Peak Thriving grain trade
- 1960s - Decline Railroad closed, population left
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: Year-round
Difficulty: Easy
Time Needed: 30 minutes
Quick Facts
- Giant grain elevator still stands
- Typical of many Kansas railroad ghost towns
- Some foundations visible
Location
Address: Near Hill City, Kansas
Coordinates: 39.2742, -100.1111