​Ghost Towns

These are samples of the types of photographs included in the Abandoned Washington State book. Many of these photographs have a fascinating story behind them, which you can read in the book.

Molson

The ghost town of Molson is probably the best-preserved gold mining boom town in Washington State. It was founded in around 1900 by promoter George Meacham and investor John Molson, who was a member of the Molson brewing company family.  It was abandoned in the 1930's when the gold ore ran out.

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Bodie

Not too far from Molson is the ghost town of Bodie, founded as a gold mining town in 1896. The mining operations were expanded with an investment from the Wrigley Brothers (of chewing gum fame). The mining operations shut down and the town was abandoned in 1944. The two-story building shown below is believed to have been the town's hotel and saloon.

Photo credit: Kelli Sypher