Throughout the United States, deserted locations captivate those who are curious and daring. These real-life disturbing environments look like something out of a horror movie. Visiting these overlooked areas of the country can be dangerous or, at the very least, creepy.
Centralia, Pennsylvania
Once a thriving mining community, Centralia has been largely abandoned due to an underground coal fire burning since 1962. The streets, now cracked and smoke-filled, offer a haunting glimpse into a town slowly being swallowed by its own inferno.
Bodie, California
Bodie remains perfectly preserved, a captivating relic of the Wild West that has stood frozen in time since the late 1800s. The buildings, ranging from the old general store to the Methodist church, remain standing, filled with merchandise, as if anticipating the return of residents who will never come back.
North Brother Island, New York
Situated in the East River near the Bronx, North Brother Island used to house a quarantine hospital but has remained uninhabited since the 1960s. Nature has reclaimed the structures, wrapping buildings in a thick embrace of vines and trees. For almost thirty years, the island was home to a notorious figure known as “Typhoid Mary” Mallon, who lived in isolation.
Glenrio, Texas
Glenrio, situated on the border of Texas and New Mexico, used to be a bustling town that flourished during the heyday of car culture in the mid-20th century. Once Interstate 40 bypassed the area, people gradually stopped coming, and the town became deserted, with only a gas station and diner that seemed to have been frozen in time.
Michigan Central Station, Detroit
This iconic train station, once the tallest rail station in the world, opened in 1913 and closed in 1988, falling into disrepair. Its grand Beaux-Arts architecture now houses nothing but echoes of the past, though there are plans for renovation.
Elkmont, Tennessee
Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, Elkmont was originally a logging town and later a resort community before being abandoned in the 1990s. Its rustic cabins and cottages are slowly being reclaimed by the forest, creating a ghostly yet peaceful landscape. The National Park Service now preserves it as a historic district accessible to curious hikers.
Fort Jefferson, Florida
Located in the Gulf of Mexico, Fort Jefferson is one of the largest coastal forts ever built but was never completed and later abandoned. Its massive brick walls and heavy artillery pieces stand sentinel over a turquoise sea, accessible only by boat or seaplane. The fort is now part of a national park, offering tours of its ruins and snorkeling in the surrounding waters.
Cairo, Illinois
At the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, Cairo was positioned to be a significant hub but declined dramatically in the 20th century due to racial tensions and economic changes. Today, its historic buildings stand empty, and streets that once teemed with life are quiet, providing a somber reflection on social and economic shifts in America.
Kennecott, Alaska
Nestled within the breathtaking Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is Kennecott, a once-thriving copper mining town that flourished during the early 20th century. Once the mines were exhausted in the 1930s, the locals abandoned their houses and equipment. Residents left behind their homes and machinery, which still sit, preserved by the dry climate.
Salton Sea, California
Once a glamorous vacation spot in the 1950s, the Salton Sea has since become an ecological disaster area due to agricultural runoff and increased salinity. The receding waters have left behind a landscape of abandoned buildings, dead fish, and toxic dust. What remains is a ghostly marina and desolate communities, serving as a stark environmental warning.
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, West Virginia
Constructed in the mid-19th century and closed in 1994, this massive Kirkbride Plan asylum now offers tours that showcase its chilling history of overcrowding and outdated treatments. Its gothic architecture and sprawling grounds whisper stories of the thousands of patients who once lived there. The asylum’s eerie atmosphere draws ghost hunters and history enthusiasts alike.
Route 66, Various States
Stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, the decommissioned Route 66 is a nostalgic reminder of a bygone era of American road travel. Along its path, you’ll find abandoned motels, gas stations, and eateries that evoke a sense of nostalgia and history.
Virginia Renaissance Faire, Virginia
Built to mimic a 16th-century English village, this Renaissance fairground was abandoned in the late 1990s after only a few seasons of operation. Its mock Tudor buildings and jousting arenas are now overtaken by vines and wildlife, creating a surreal medieval ghost town in the Virginia woods.
Lake Shawnee Amusement Park, West Virginia
Closed in 1966 due to a series of tragic incidents, the remnants of this amusement park still hold rusting rides and concession stands. It is said to be haunted, with the spirits of past patrons lingering by the old Ferris wheel and swings. The park’s eerie silence and dilapidated structures offer a chilling exploration experience.
Six Flags New Orleans, Louisiana
Hurricane Katrina left this amusement park submerged and ultimately abandoned in 2005. The roller coasters and rides, still standing but never repaired, are a surreal reminder of the devastation caused by natural disasters. Urban explorers and photographers find this park particularly compelling, capturing scenes of post-apocalyptic decay.
Pennhurst Asylum, Pennsylvania
This former school and hospital for the disabled was closed in 1987 after reports of abuse and neglect led to public outcry. The empty buildings and underground tunnels are a chilling monument to a darker era of institutional care. Paranormal investigators and curious visitors flock to Pennhurst, drawn by its haunted reputation and tragic history.
Picher, Oklahoma
Once a major lead and zinc mining town, Picher was evacuated due to toxic waste and sinkhole dangers, leaving it a modern ghost town. The streets are lined with abandoned homes and mine shafts, a dangerous but stark reminder of the environmental cost of mining. This ghost town is now off-limits, but its story continues to intrigue environmental scientists and historians.
The Orpheum Theater, New Bedford, Massachusetts
Opened in 1912 and closed in the 1950s, this grand theater now houses nothing but memories and peeling paint. Its once-luxurious interior, with velvet seats and ornate balconies, stands neglected, a silent testament to the cultural shifts in American entertainment. Urban explorers and preservationists are drawn to its faded elegance and the stories hidden within its walls.
S.S. United States, Philadelphia
Once the fastest ocean liner crossing the Atlantic, this massive ship has been moored and left to rust in Philadelphia since 1996. The ship’s streamlined design and imposing size are now just a canvas for rust and graffiti.
Disney’s Discovery Island, Florida
Closed in 1999, this island in Bay Lake was once a wildlife attraction near Walt Disney World. Abandoned structures and overgrown paths replace the once meticulously maintained landscapes, and the sounds of exotic birds have fallen silent.
Geauga Lake, Ohio
Geauga Lake, once a beloved amusement park with a rich history, sadly closed its doors in 2007. Since then, the park has been left abandoned, with empty land and forgotten rides. The park’s roller coasters and water slides, once full of life, now stand in silence.
