Ghost towns are full of fascinating stories, giving us a glimpse into our historic past. Some tell the secrets of lawless men and their endless search for treasure, while others tell the story of a rags-to-riches life that most people only dream of.
If you love ghost towns, here are five of the most captivating in the western United States to visit.
Victor, Colorado
One of my favorite places in the country to visit is Victor, Colorado, on the west side of Pike’s Peak. In its heyday, it was home to upwards of 20,000 people, but today there are just a few hundred who live here year round. While the nearby town of Cripple Creek is a booming tourist town with casinos, Victor still has the look and feel of the 1890s gold mining days.
While you’ll feel as if you’ve gone back in time, you can still find accommodations here. The Victor Hotel is an 1899 historic hotel with a beautiful Victorian style lobby and an authentic bird cage elevator. Rooms are available for as little as $50 in the off season.
Take the historic walking tour, wander through the neighborhoods filled with both stunning Victorian-era homes and run down remnants of tiny miner’s houses. Visit the Lowell Thomas Museum, or hike on the numerous trails that lead to old gold mines with interpretive signs and historic photos. At an elevation of 10,000 feet, Victor is a true breath of fresh air in many ways.
St. Elmo, Colorado
St. Elmo is another town in the Rocky Mountain state that is considered a ghost town, but is still inhabited by a few people today. It lies 20 miles southwest of Buena Vista in Sawatch Mountain Range at an elevation of over 10,000 feet. It’s easily accessible, and here you’ll feel like your walking the streets of history on the still intact wooden sidewalks.
St. Elmo is one of the state’s best preserved ghost towns, and at its peak had over 2,000 residents. In 1880 there were over 150 patented mine claims in the immediate area. By 1930, its population dwindled to just seven.
The St. Elmo General Store offers cabin rental for just $65 a night, or stay in nearby Buena Vista with plenty of lodging options available.
Virginia City, Montana
Virginia City, Montana, located about 80 miles northwest of West Yellowstone, had a population of 10,000 and was the largest town in the inland northwest back in 1864. Today there are only a little more than 100 residents.
There are more than 100 historic buildings complete with furnishings and historic artifacts to explore, or you can even take a ride on the narrow gauge railroad, ride a stage coach and watch live theatre in the evening.
Fairweather Inn is in the heart of the town and offers comfortable period style furnishings and reasonable rates.
Garnet, Montana
Garnet is another one of the most intact ghost towns in Montana and the nation. At its peak it had 1,000 residents around the turn-of-the-century, but by 1905 the gold had been panned out leaving just 150 residents, and in 1912 a fire swept through the town leaving just a handful of people to stay on.
For a true pioneer experience, consider a stay in one of two primitive cabins available from December 1 to April 30. They’re heated by wood stove, and lit by propane lights, and come furnished with beds, utensils and a propane stove.
Goldfield, Nevada
Back in 1904, Goldfield was the largest town in Nevada with about 30,000 people and the district produced about 800 tons of ore. My great grandfather and his partner owned and operated a grocery store during its boom days, and the famed Wyatt Earp also called Goldfield home.
The town grew quickly, and it also fell quickly. By 1910 there were fewer then 5,000 residents, and in 1923 a raging fire destroyed most of Goldfield and many of its residents left the area, including my great grandfather who returned to Reno. Today there are around 400 people who call it home.
Today, the old Goldfield Hotel still stands as a reminder of yesteryear. It isn’t open to the public, but you can stay at the Santa Fe Motel and Saloon in Goldfield and feel like you’re a part of a bygone era.
K.C. Dermody is a freelance writer and a Featured Contributor for Travel. She has traveled to nearly all 50 states and many countries worldwide and has a passion for imparting what she has learned from her experiences to others.
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