Across America, there are resort towns that once buzzed with tourists, glamour, and summertime energy but now sit in silence. Once-thriving hotels, boardwalks, and attractions have given way to empty streets and fading memories.
These places carry an eerie beauty, where the past lingers in every shuttered building. Here are 17 once-thriving resort towns that are now eerily empty.
Centralia, Pennsylvania
A town slowly consumed by its underground mine fires, Centralia is now a symbol of desolation. Once home to over a thousand residents, most have evacuated due to the hazardous conditions.
The eerie spectacle of smoke rising from the ground is all that remains of its bustling past. Today, only a few stubborn residents remain, keeping the spirit of Centralia alive in a ghostly sort of way.
Cahawba, Alabama
Known as Alabama’s first capital, Cahawba was once a thriving town. Flooding and the Civil War led to its abandonment.
The remnants of antebellum architecture sit silently amidst wild trees and vines. Visitors today can walk through the ruins, imagining the vibrant community that once called this place home. As nature reclaims the land, Cahawba remains a poignant reminder of time’s passage.
Glenrio, Texas/New Mexico
The epitome of a Route 66 ghost town, Glenrio straddles the Texas-New Mexico border. Once a busy stop for travelers, its motels and cafes now sit empty, echoing stories of the road’s heyday.
The town’s unique position caught the eye of Hollywood, but its fame faded with the interstate’s arrival. Glenrio stands as a silent testament to the golden age of cross-country travel.
Cerro Gordo, California
High in the Inyo Mountains, Cerro Gordo was a bustling mining town. Rich in silver, it attracted thousands in the late 1800s.
The mines have long since closed, leaving behind a collection of historic buildings and breathtaking views. Today, Cerro Gordo’s ghostly silence invites adventurers to explore its steep streets and rich history.
Bodie, California
Bodie is a classic Old West ghost town. Once a thriving gold mining hub, its population dwindled by the early 20th century.
The harsh climate preserved many buildings, offering a glimpse into a bygone era. Visitors stroll its dusty streets, peeking into windows of the past. Bodie’s eerie stillness captures the imagination, making it a favorite for photographers and history buffs alike.
Kennecott, Alaska
In the heart of the Alaskan wilderness lies Kennecott, once a bustling copper mining town. Its striking red buildings stand out against the snowy backdrop, telling tales of prosperity and decline.
Abandoned when the mines closed in 1938, Kennecott now attracts explorers eager to uncover its frozen secrets. The preserved structures speak to its industrious past and the harsh life miners endured.
Elkmont, Tennessee
Elkmont’s colorful past includes a vibrant logging community and later, a summer retreat for the elite. As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park expanded, Elkmont’s residents moved on, leaving behind a collection of dilapidated cabins.
Nature now embraces these relics, inviting visitors to wander through memories of summer evenings and mountain air.
Picher, Oklahoma
Picher was a lead and zinc mining powerhouse, but environmental disaster forced its evacuation. The town’s chat piles, mountains of toxic mining waste, are stark reminders of its past.
Once bustling, Picher is now eerily silent, its streets and homes left to nature’s advances. The haunting emptiness serves as a chilling reminder of human impact on the environment.
St. Thomas, Nevada
Once submerged under Lake Mead, St. Thomas has re-emerged, revealing its ghostly ruins. Founded by Mormons, it was later abandoned as the lake rose.
The dry spell has exposed remnants of buildings and roads, drawing curious visitors. As the desert sun bakes the remains, St. Thomas stands as a testament to nature’s power to reclaim and reveal.
Bayou Corne, Louisiana
Bayou Corne’s tranquility was shattered by a massive sinkhole that swallowed forests and homes. This natural disaster led to the town’s evacuation, leaving behind an eerie landscape of water-filled voids and abandoned properties.
Today, it stands as a somber reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the vulnerability of human settlements.
Eagle Mountain, California
Once a thriving iron mining town, Eagle Mountain’s fate changed with the mine’s closure. Nestled in the Mojave Desert, it boasts a sprawling network of abandoned infrastructure.
The dry heat and isolation add to its ghostly charm. Visitors can explore the deserted streets and imagine the bustling community that once thrived here, forging a life in the arid landscape.
Cisco, Utah
Cisco was once a bustling railroad town, a vital stop for supplies and passengers. The decline of the railway led to its abandonment.
Now, its empty buildings, adorned with graffiti, stand in stark contrast against the vast Utah landscape. This ghost town tells a story of progress and obsolescence, capturing the imagination of travelers passing through the desolate beauty of the desert.
Calico, California
Calico is a colorful relic of California’s silver mining boom. Its restored buildings transport visitors back to the Old West.
Once a bustling mining town, it faced decline after silver prices fell. Today, it’s a popular tourist attraction, offering a glimpse into the rugged life of miners and their families. Calico’s blend of history and legend draws those curious about the past.
Gilman, Colorado
Perched on a cliff overlooking the Eagle River, Gilman was a thriving mining town. Environmental concerns led to its closure, leaving behind a collection of buildings clinging to the mountainside.
The site’s dramatic location adds to its mystery, drawing adventurers and photographers alike. Gilman’s story is a reminder of the delicate balance between industry and nature.
Rhyolite, Nevada
Rhyolite’s brief boom and bust left a scattering of ruins in the Nevada desert. Once home to thousands, it boasts remnants of grand structures, including a bank and train station.
Its rapid decline is a classic tale of the gold rush era. The town’s haunting beauty under the vast sky continues to captivate those who visit, whispering stories of fortunes gained and lost.
Ruby, Arizona
Ruby’s rich mining history is etched into its landscape. This Arizona town flourished with the discovery of gold and silver but was eventually abandoned.
The adobe buildings and rusting equipment stand as silent witnesses to its prosperous past. Ruby’s remote location adds to its allure, inviting those who seek solitude and stories of the Old West.
Orla, Texas
Orla’s fortunes rose and fell with the oil industry. Located in the Texas desert, its empty streets and buildings tell the tale of booms gone bust.
Once a hub for workers, it now stands silent, a ghost town of the oil fields. The harsh landscape and empty structures echo the resilience and challenges faced by those who sought opportunity in this unforgiving environment.