Ghost Towns for Sale

The most current example is Buford Wyoming. It was recently bought at auction and has been all over the news. What a concept.  Would you like to be mayor but can’t get elected? Do you hate hearing your neighbor’s dog barking? Or maybe you have trouble finding a parking spot. Then just buy your own town. Sort of brings to mind the age old question, “What do you get the man who has everything?” 

But you will have to do more financially than just save your allowance, ghost towns do not come cheap. Buford went for $900,000.

Ghost towns are something of phenomena of Western America. More ghost towns exist here than anywhere else in the world. I know a little about western ghost towns, I’ve published three books on the subject. 

Buford Wyoming had a population of one.  It’s in my first book, Ghost Towns of Wyoming. The place came with twelve acres, four usable buildings, its own zip code and a lot of history. I had become friends with Don, the town’s owner and mayor. He sold my books at his gas station. His business establishment was the only one for miles around. Don will be missed. 

Another ghost town that's sale made national news was Scenic, South Dakota. It was purchased just last October. This town is in my second book, Ghost Towns and Other Historical Sites of the Black Hills. It also had twelve acres and lots of history. There was also a store in town, the Tatanka Trading Post that sold my books. Its location lies between the Black Hills and the Badlands. In its history the place has been a railroad and highway stop. People don’t stop there much anymore. One thing about Scenic, it isn’t. See history does repeat itself.

Foreign nationals have purchased both locations. The future use and the preservation of the history of the two sites are in question. 

Still, not to worry, at last check there were two other western ghost towns for sale, Okaton South Dakota and Rocky Bar Idaho. Rocky Bar is in my third book, Ghost Towns of Idaho, the Search for ElDorado. No, there is no business establishment at Rocky Bar that sells my books. It was a mining town and is nestled in the mountain woods of central Idaho. Spent the night there while dong research for the book. While there I had a wildlife encounter. It was at the entrance of an old hotel I was trying to explore. While walking in the door I encountered a mule deer running out the door. In life, there is much to be said for timing. 

Although Rocky Bar is by far the more attractive of the two sites, Okaton is probably the better of the two buys. Instead of having a remote location like most ghost towns, it is actually Exit 183 on I-90. And you know what they say, location, location, location.

News bits: My fifth book comes out in a couple of weeks. It is Show Caves of the Ozarks. My first book event will be a book signing, Saturday, May 5th at Bridal Cave. I will also lead cave tours. The event begins at noon. 

There is a second book coming out later this month, Underground Treasures of the Black Hills: Tour Caves, Mammoths, Mines, Museums and More. The St. Louis debut for these books will be Saturday, May 19th from 2 to 4 p.m. at Aris Restaurant. More details later… don’t worry you’re invited. 

As always, check out my website: www.theghosttownhunter.com

Enjoy more photos on my facebook: The Ghost Town Hunter

Follow me on twitter at #adventuresahead

Next time:            Double Book Release