10 Ghost Towns in Oregon for a Spooky Time!

Oregon is full of ghost towns, each with its own spooky charm and fascinating history.

Ever wondered what happens to towns after everyone leaves? You can find out here at some of Oregon’s coolest ghost towns you can visit!

1. Shaniko

This town was once the “Wool Capital of the World,” booming in the early 1900s thanks to its wool industry.

Shaniko today is a ghost town with plenty of old buildings to explore, including the Shaniko Hotel and an old jailhouse. It’s like stepping back in time – minus the woolly sheep.

2. Sumpter

Gold rush fever hit Sumpter hard, making it a bustling gold mining hub. Now, you can visit the Sumpter Valley Gold Dredge and ride the historic Sumpter Valley Railroad.

It’s a golden opportunity to learn some history and maybe even strike it rich (okay, probably not, but it’s fun to pretend).

3. Detroit

Detroit, Oregon, was once a thriving lumber town, but after the construction of the Detroit Dam in the 1950s, much of the original town was submerged.

The remnants of the old town occasionally resurface when water levels are low, offering a rare glimpse into its past.

4. Hardman

Once a lively stagecoach stop and farming community, Hardman has since quieted down.

Visit the old schoolhouse and community hall to get a feel for life in the late 1800s. It’s peaceful, quiet, and just a little bit eerie – perfect for a history-filled day trip.

5. Golden

Golden is unique for being a mining town with no saloons! Instead, you’ll find a church and a schoolhouse among its historic sites.

This little ghost town in Oregon offers a peek into the past without the rowdy nightlife riff-raff.

6. Whitney

Once a booming logging and railroad town, Whitney has faded into the pages of history.

Today, you can see the foundations of old buildings and imagine the hustle and bustle of a bygone era. It’s a ghost town that’s both haunting and humbling.

7. Lonerock

Named for the giant rock in its center, Lonerock was a small farming town.

Now, you can visit the Lonerock Church (where the big rock is) or the old jailhouse and enjoy the quiet eerieness!

8. Friend

Friend was a farming and railroad town that started to decline once the railroad shut down after only 30 or so years.

The old schoolhouse still stands, making it a cool stop for history buffs, but you won’t find much if you’re looking for railroad tracks.

9. Antelope

Antelope is a small town with a big history, particularly due to the infamous Rajneeshpuram commune that took over the town in the 1980s.

Before that, it was a modest ranching community with roots dating back to the late 1800s. Today, Antelope has a tiny population, a few remaining historic buildings, and an almost ghostly feel.

Check out the nearby Painted Hills and John Day area.

10. Cornucopia

Cornucopia thrived during the gold rush and was home to hundreds of miners. Today, the town is largely abandoned, but several old buildings remain.

It’s a bit of a trek to get there—about an hour and a half from Baker City and kind of “behind” the beautiful Wallowa Lake!

11. Granite

Granite was another gold mining town that peaked in the late 1800s.

You can explore the remaining structures and learn about their history. Granite may be small, but it’s packed with stories from the gold rush days.

This spot is close to Sumpter, so you can pair the two in one day!

There you have it—a spooky, historical tour of ghost towns in Oregon. Each town offers a peek into the past and haunting beauty.

Have fun exploring Oregon’s ghost towns!

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