Ghost Towns

This category includes towns that have either been completely abandoned, or have been downsized far below their former glory.

Round Harbour, Newfoundland

When we arrived here, the first thing we noticed was the steep and somewhat bumpy road down into the village. But also, we couldn’t help but notice what an incredibly secluded little harbour this was. Buildings surrounded both sides, as far as the rocks would allow. Many were clearly abandoned, but several, mostly along the south side of the harbour, were still very much in use.

Petites, Newfoundland

Founded in the 1840's, Petites, Newfoundland, has been home to generations of weather-hardened souls who made their living on the sea. By 1859, a methodist church was constructed that later became the Bethany United Church. There were 212 people living here in 1946, and only 146 by 1956. In October, 2003, the last remaining residents of the community were resettled.

Big Brook, Newfoundland

It began innocently enough. We're driving along, me behind the wheel, my father browsing through a road atlas. He mentions a road that the map says will be decommissioned soon. As he traces along the line with his finger, he then mentions a town that the map says will be relocated soon. I asked the date of the map and realize that “soon” is likely well past. Immediately, we decide we’re going to take this road.

Salton Sea

I arrived in my nice, clean, white, rented Equinox. The windows were up, and the cool air was coming from the air conditioner. The sun was shining, and I was loving being away from the cold and snow of Canada. When I arrived, first at Salton City, I drove close to the beach and stopped. I looked out over the shimmering water, turned off the engine and got out... THE STENCH! Nothing had prepared me for the smell. Like seaweed and rotting fish, yet somehow much, much worse. I looked around, noticed that some of the houses were actually occupied and thought, "how do they live with the stench?".

Jackfish, Ontario

As is often the case with these things, I wasn't completely sure as to the exact location of this town when I arrived. In fact, I wasn't completely sure there was even anything left to see. However, we were on vacation, we were in the area, give or take a few hundred kilometres, why not go take a look?

Fort George, Quebec

After two days of driving, experiencing the James Bay Road, and eventually falling asleep under the blanket of Northern Lights, I awoke Tuesday morning excited and raring to go. I was to meet Roger, my contact, at his business in Chisasibi, a First Nations community about 100 km west of Radision, QC.

Goldfield and Victor, Colorado

Established in 1894 by the Portland Town and Mineral Company, lots of land were sold, many for $25, to the employees of the various mines that opened in the surrounding area. The town grew quickly, and houses continued to be built. By 1900, the town's population was over 3,500, and it featured a fire department, running water from a reservoir, arc street lights and a "Pest House" for transients or people with contagious disease like TB. Churches, schools and a City Hall also sprung up as new services continued to be provided to the growing population. Even an electric streetcar system was established linking Goldfield to the towns of Independence and Victor nearby.

Depot Harbour

Once a very important shipping port in the Great Lakes, and the westernmost point of the Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway, Depot Harbour is now little more than some concrete ruins hidden among the trees.

Milnet, Ontario

Milnet, originally known as Sellwood Junction, began its journey in the early 20th century as a remote station and watering stop for the Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR, later CN). The railway line's arrival marked the beginning of an intense period of lumbering activity in the area. Shortly after the railway line opened, the lumber industry moved in, leading to the establishment of a sawmill on the shores of the Vermillion River. By 1917, the Marshay Lumber Company had bought and expanded the mill, adding a planning mill and transforming the area into a bustling company townsite with about 200 residents.

Ghost Towns