Arlington ghost town is a former rail town located in Phelps County, Missouri. The town was a popular resort for railroad users and military troops from the 5th Missouri State Militia. The town was deserted and is currently a ghost town. 

History of Arlington ghost town

Arlington, just like any other town at the time in Missouri, grew when Burlington Northern Railroad passed through the small community. Originally known as "Little Piney”, the town saw major development when Stony Dell Resort and Fort Leonard wood were established. Tourists’ cabins, hotels, and several businesses sprawled the town and the state route 66 followed shortly afterward. The state road which connected Chicago to Los Angeles played a major role in the development of the town as most travelers stopped over for a break and sleep before continuing with their journey. By the late 1890s, Arlington town had its own post office and a population exceeding 1200 residents. 

Expansion of the state road

In the early 1950s, plans to expand the state road that connected the two iconic cities came up. Seven years later the first expansion began, forcing the demolition of some major business premises of the town. A second expansion ate on the town's land further resulting in the permanent closure of some stores and hotels in the town. A new road 1-44 construction would later drive the last nail in the coffin for Arlington town.  The new road cut off Arlington rendering the roads that earlier connected the town to other communities useless. The town was no longer a town bordering a state highway but a town with no entryway or road. Tourists and visitors who used the town as a stopover suddenly stopped resulting in the death of various hotels and motels. The population of the town slowly diminished and by the late 1990s, Arlington town was completely deserted. 

What remains of Arlington?

Currently, Arlington is still abandoned and rejected. It lost its township privileges and was bought by a local investor who has plans to establish a housing estate at the site. Most of the old buildings are still standing but in bad condition. Log cabins that were used to host travelers passing through the town have all collapsed and the remaining ones are showing signs of being carried away by the wind at any given time.  The site has been partitioned for development and some parcels of the extensive piece of land have been sold to residents. The total number of residents at the moment is less than 20 people. Arlington town though privately-owned is open to the general public to visit. The old dilapidated log structures have deteriorated at unsalvageable levels.  Most are unstable and are likely to collapse at any given moment. It is wise to be cautious when visiting the town as an accidental collapse of the ruined buildings can be hazardous.