Ever wanted to visit a real life ghost town? Nestled into the beautiful Applegate Valley in Southern Oregon, Buncom is a teensy tiny ghost town that’ll make you feel like you’ve been transported back in time to the Old West. Check it out:
Tucked away in Southern Oregon near the town of Jacksonville, Buncom is a little-known ghost town that was once a bustling gold mining camp. Nowadays, it’s a fascinating place to visit.
wiki/ Gary Halvorson
Strolling through the empty town hearing only the sound of your own footsteps is an eerie experience. As you peer through the dusty windows, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time.
flickr/ Amber Kost
In 1854, gold was found at the nearby Sterling Creek, and miners began moving to the area hoping to make some money. Thus, the town of Buncom was established.
wiki/ Gary Halvorson
Eventually the gold mines ran dry, but the the town persisted for a number of years as a meeting place and distribution center for farmers in the surrounding valley. It wasn’t enough, though; the post office closed in 1919, and as automobiles gained popularity farmers began traveling to the larger cities nearby, and Buncom slowly dwindled away. The residents moved away, leaving the vacant buildings to be reclaimed by nature.
trip advisor/ half-Brit
As the years passed, the buildings fell into disrepair and many of them burned down. Today, only three are left standing: the post office, the cookhouse, and the bunkhouse.
trip advisor/ half-Brit
Preserved by the Buncom Historical Society, the three buildings look much like they did 100 years ago.
wiki/ Gary Halvorson
Get directions to Buncom using this Google Map. Have you ever been to Buncom? See any ghosts? Tell us about it in the comments below.
wiki/ Gary Halvorson
flickr/ Amber Kost
trip advisor/ half-Brit
Find out about more amazing ghost towns in Oregon here.
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