There are so many abandoned places in North Dakota! This is a list of the top three abandoned places in North Dakota. Browse through all abandoned places in North Dakota
Heaton ghost town is a former township in the country of Wells, North Dakota. It was established in the late 1800s and was later abandoned and is currently laying uninhibited with dilapidated buildings that are an eyesore.
Heaton town was the first known town to exist in 1899 and was named in the honor of George Heaton, the manager of the land sales. George who foresaw the construction of the northern Pacific Railroad can be said to be one of the founders of the town that made it reach its great heights. Largely dependent on the railroad for survival, the town of Heaton developed at a slow pace compared to other towns in the heydays. The town in its prime had a post office, a farmer's union bank, a lumber yard, gas station, hardware store, two hotels, and three churches. Some claim that it was a fully flagged town with a schoolhouse but no records show that there was ever a school in the small township.
The story behind why the community at Heaton town abandoned their beloved town is not clear as some people claim that it was because of the closure of the railroad that was the pillar for its survival. At the same time, some say that the town was never the same after the tornado struck the region in 1907. Whether the railroad or the tornado led to the abandoning of the town by its residents, the fact is that the town was left for nature to reclaim. The dilapidated buildings at the old townsite are very unstable due to the long years since the town was deserted.
The town is completely deserted with no residents currently living in the town. Most of the buildings in the town are still standing strong although showing several signs of distress. The main street of the town where the farmer's bank was located and other stores lie vacant with most of its adjacent buildings paintings pilling off. At the far end where the homesteads were tall grasses are almost out shunning the structures in height. some structures that were made of wood have collapsed leaving remnants of logs. Due to its rural location, the buildings have not received vandalism or rebranding by rowdy teenagers. Mother nature has done its share of damage on the buildings and structures in the townsite. Heaton town is owned by the state of North Dakota who permits visits in and out of the vast properties. Most of the visits at the townsite are advised to be taken during the summer times when the weather is stable and predictable. No organization currently offers tours in the town. One can visit the once boisterous railroad in the town and enjoy the cool steady breeze offered by the empty streets as you take a trip back in memory lane.
Shepherd view is an abandoned farmhouse and bans dating back to 1905. The farm which has a spectacular view of Shepherd Township got its name from this characteristic. It was abandoned decades ago and now lies in shambles and despair.
Established in 1905, the farm belonged to Charles C. Marson built a brick house on his property as his home and several other temporary farm structures. Years later his son built another similar brick house next to the original one making the two the only permanent buildings on the whole farm. The extended family of the Marson's lived in the ranch for decades until in the 1900s when they sold it and relocated. Clear reasons are not known but it is said that the family members who inherited the place from their grandparents were not feeling the place and therefore sold it and relocated. They sold the farm together with everything in it and left town to find new beginnings and opportunities. The new owner who had plans of making the farm his homestead later did not get to occupy the vast piece of land due to unknown reasons. He has left the farm unattended to and un-maintained for more than two decades now.
The farm is in total ruin. The brick houses that were once the beauty of the property have been reduced to nothing but concrete held in place by reinforced timber and metal plates. Inside, the plywood which makes the ceiling has piled up exposing the floor above. The bans on the other hand are empty with piles of wood de-touched and scattered all over the floor. The whole property has its share of destruction and damage done to the structures. Being in a rural place, the property has not seen any serious vandalism if not from Mother Nature.
The ruins of this farm have been weakened by forces of nature and are bound to collapse anytime in the near future. Visitors at the farm take substantial risks while visiting the decaying structures. The farm is still private property and the owner does not allow trespassers to go into the property without his permission. Though there are no signs that say ''Do not trespass,'' or fences to bar people away, it is common knowledge not to go into someone’s private property without permission. The deserted farmhouses will stand in despair for more decades before it gets the attention of a potential renovator or investor interested in the farm.
Marmarth town commonly referred to as the Badlands of the Slope County in North Dakota is one of a kind ghost town. The town which was established mainly from railroad activities in the area was disowned years later and is currently decaying in despair. Marmarth town is called the Badlands due to a series of unfortunate events that occurred occasionally in the town.
Marmarth town did well over the years until after World War I, when agriculture which was the key determinant in the survival of Marmarth declined. Effects of World War I combined with the worldwide economic decline contributed to the fall of the already economically distressed town. A further change in climate and the closure of the railroad at the town in the late 1930s (when steam locomotives were replaced) caused more damage to the economy of the town. Residents left the town and by the 1940s only ten percent of the original population remained.
In its heyday, Marmarth was known to be the worst of the old west towns hence the name ‘’Badlands’’. The region was not dominated by gangs and thieves but rather deaths out of unclear circumstances were common in the town. The high number of deaths led to many unsettled spirits lurking around. These mysterious deaths were believed to be the cause of aspirations and abnormal occurrences in the abandoned town. Though it has not been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, the stories and ghostly activities may be fictional stories that people tell to get people to the town.
Today less than 10 residents are living in the town. Most of the stores and business premises were closed and abandoned. The government recognized the town existence but no government resources were directed to the town. The town which cannot be turned into a historic site or state park yet because of the residents who still reside in the area is used majorly by archeologists and paranormal investigators. Several historical remains like dinosaur fossils have been discovered in Marmarth. Marmarth Historical Society and Marmarth research foundation conduct field study and research in the area. One can also visit the town at his or her convenience for it is open to the general public.