August 27, 2010
Blog Archives6 Ghost Towns and Abandoned Cities of Eurasia
In terms of geopolitics, Eurasia refers primarily to the post-Soviet states, the Central Asian republics, and the Transcaucasian republics. It’s no wonder, therefore, that this “supercontinent” abounds with ghost towns and abandoned cities.
6 Ghost Towns and Abandoned Cities of Europe
It’s tempting to associate ghost towns and abandoned cities with America’s Old West or the wild expanses of former Soviet Russia. But such places exist on every continent including Europe, which boasts a diverse range of impressive and tragic abandonments.
6 Ghost Towns and Abandoned Cities of Asia
Ghost towns and abandoned cities are strange and alluring places, often reflecting some great upheaval that led to their demise. Asia is no stranger to urban abandonments, from antiquated to modern, deserted due to natural disaster or simply a lack of purpose.
Ghost Towns & Abandoned Mines in Alaska, Arizona and Arkansas
The many ghost towns dotted about the United States are silent reminders of the country’s (often lawless) past. Adventurers came from far and wide to seek their fortunes on the frontiers, building numerous communities around mines and railroads that declined as their raw materials were often rapidly depleted.
Ghost Town of Bodie: Spectres, Curses and “Arrested Decay”
The old mining settlement at Bodie in California is arguably America’s best preserved ghost town. Dating back to around 1859, Bodie is frozen in a state of “arrested decay”, looked after as a historic park but not restored to its original condition. This makes the town both authentic and mysterious.
Intriguing: Wild West Ghost Towns
Ghost towns abound across the world but seldom are they more intriguing than in western United States, where former mining towns played host to the pioneers of their day. Other towns grew up around the railroad, as civilisation gradually spread from the eastern seaboard to the Wild West. Reasons for their abandonments are wide and varied, from the inherent lawlessness of the era to the depletion of natural resources. Whatever the reasons, ghost towns provide a fascinating glance into our history.