12 U.S. Destinations That Once Drew Big Crowds But Now Are Deserted

America is filled with historic sites that were once bustled with activity and drew crowds from near and far. Over time, many of these once-vibrant locations have fallen empty, left as eerie reminders of their former glory.

Exploring these abandoned sites offers a glimpse into the past, revealing stories of prosperity, decline, and abandonment. This article takes you on a journey through several historic American sites that were once popular but are now deserted.

Route 66

Established in 1926, “The Main Street of America,” Route 66 was a major road connecting Chicago to Los Angeles. Today, much of Route 66 is bypassed by modern interstates, leaving behind ghost towns and deserted roadside attractions. In its heyday, this iconic highway once drew countless travelers seeking adventure and opportunity.

Centralia, Pennsylvania

Centralia was once a bustling mining town until an underground coal fire started in 1962. The once-thriving community is now an eerie ghost town, with smoke rising from the ground and cracked, empty streets. The fire still burns today, causing the town to be abandoned due to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and ground subsidence.

Salton Sea, California

Once a glamorous resort destination in the 1950s and 60s attracting celebrities and tourists, today the Salton Sea area is largely abandoned, with decaying buildings and desolate shorelines.  Rising salinity and pollution led to massive fish die-offs and a foul odor, driving visitors away.

Glenrio, Texas/New Mexico

Glenrio straddled the Texas-New Mexico border and thrived as a stop along Route 66. With the construction of Interstate 40, Glenrio was soon bypassed and quickly became deserted, leaving behind empty buildings and a silent Main Street. In its day, the town once offered travelers services like motels, cafes, and gas stations.

Bodie, California

In the late 1800s, this once thriving gold mining town’s population soon dwindled as the gold ran out, and by the 1940s, Bodie was totally abandoned. Today, it stands as a well-preserved ghost town, with its buildings and artifacts frozen in time, offering a glimpse into the past.

Eastern State Penitentiary, Pennsylvania

Opened in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world. Known for housing the most notorious criminals like Al Capone and using solitary confinement as a form of rehabilitation, the prison closed in 1971 and is now a historic site, with its eerie, crumbling cell blocks attracting curious visitors.

Virginia City, Montana

In the 1860s, Virginia City was a booming gold rush town, drawing thousands of miners and entrepreneurs. But once the gold supply diminished, the population declined, leaving behind a near-ghost town. Today, Virginia City is a preserved historic site with restored buildings and reenactments of its Wild West past.

Rhyolite, Nevada

Now a popular ghost town with several well-preserved ruins, including the iconic Bottle House, the Rhyolite sprang up during the gold rush of 1904, quickly growing into a bustling town with banks, schools, and even an opera house. By 1916, the mines had dried up, and the town was abandoned.

Kennedy Mine, California

Today, visitors can explore this mine’s remnants of the past at the Kennedy Gold Mine Museum. Once one of the richest gold mines in California, Kennedy Mine operated from 1870 to 1942. The mine reached depths of nearly 6,000 feet, making it one of the deepest in North America.

Fort Ord, California

Once a major U.S. Army base from 1917 until its closure in 1994, Fort Ord played a significant role during World War II and the Korean War. Known for training hundreds of thousands of soldiers, the site is now a mix of abandoned military buildings and redeveloped areas, with some parts open to the public as a national monument.

Gary, Indiana

Gary, Indiana, was once a booming steel town, home to the largest steel mill in the United States. Today, many of Gary’s buildings stand abandoned, including schools, theaters, and churches, serving as a reminder of the city’s past prosperity. Economic decline and industrial restructuring led to massive job losses and population decline.

Michigan Central Station, Detroit

Opened in 1913, Michigan Central Station was an architectural marvel serving as a major transportation hub. As train travel declined, the station saw fewer passengers and eventually closed in 1988. The grand Beaux-Arts building stood abandoned for decades, a symbol of Detroit’s economic decline, but is now undergoing restoration.