There’s something so alluring about ghost towns. They’re a blend of tragedy, history, and strange beauty that stand as a testament to days long gone. The following towns in Virginia may be desolate, but they are remarkable in their own right. Abandoned communities can be found all over the country, but the ones in Virginia each have a distinctive story and character. What’s been left behind is no dramatic decay but rather the effect of what nature has slowly and persistently reclaimed. You just can’t help but wonder how much longer it will be until these towns are completely swallowed up and lost forever.
- Ca Ira
Wikicommons
Wikicommons The small farming community of Ca Ira was established by the Virginia General Assembly in 1796. The town is believed to have been named after a French song that was popular during the Revolution, but no one is entirely certain. By the turn of the nineteenth century, the local economy was prospering as a new river canal allowed for tobacco trade. Many of the residents fell ill to the nearby stagnant pond, which eventually had to be removed. The church photographed above, Grace Church, was completed in 1843 and quickly became the center point of the town. In face of the Civil War, the town began declining and by the 20th century was abandoned. The cemetery and church are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Elko Tract
Abandoned Country
Abandoned Country The story behind this abandoned town is truly fascinating. During World War II, Elko Tract was built to be an exact replica of Richmond. Should there be a Japanese or German attack, this town would serve as a decoy. The idea was to shut the power of Richmond off and light up the decoy area, so that the true capital would not be harmed. The land was never actually used for this purpose, and in 1948 a hospital was built here. Today, this area is primarily used for National Guard exercises. The area is considered to be off-limits, although you may find several ghost hunters prowling for haunted spirits.
- Lignite
Wikipedia The small community of Lignite sprung up when iron ore was discovered in the area. The town was named for this metal, lignite. During this boom, the town housed businesses, churches, and even a theatre. Prosperity eventually ended and by 1890, the town had been completely abandoned. Very little remains of this once prosperous community, which is now part of the Jefferson National Forest. These chimneys, overgrown with vine and weeds, are just about all the remain of this abandoned community.
- Colchester
Wikipedia What currently stands as an unincorporated community on the river was once a former tobacco port that was established in 1753. George Mason’s son, Thomas Mason built and operated a ferry that ran across the Occoquan River. Only a few privately owned buildings remain in this small area, due to the declining tobacco industry and silting of the river. (Photograph above taken in 1959 of what was once an Inn.)
- Wash Woods
Wikipedia Wash Woods once stood in what is now False Cape State Park. The steeple was originally part of a Methodist Church and is now all that remains. According to popular legend, this community developed when a group of shipwreck survivors landed in the area sometime between the late 16th century and early 17th century. Structures were all built from the cypress wood which was originally part of the ship. There was a community present in the area until the 1920s, when the sliver of beach had eroded so much that it could no longer support the people living there, and they left.
For more abandoned towns, be sure to check out an earlier article that we featured. What are your thoughts on these places? Do you know any additional history or spots in Virginia? We’d love to hear from you!
Wikicommons
The small farming community of Ca Ira was established by the Virginia General Assembly in 1796. The town is believed to have been named after a French song that was popular during the Revolution, but no one is entirely certain. By the turn of the nineteenth century, the local economy was prospering as a new river canal allowed for tobacco trade. Many of the residents fell ill to the nearby stagnant pond, which eventually had to be removed. The church photographed above, Grace Church, was completed in 1843 and quickly became the center point of the town. In face of the Civil War, the town began declining and by the 20th century was abandoned. The cemetery and church are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Abandoned Country
The story behind this abandoned town is truly fascinating. During World War II, Elko Tract was built to be an exact replica of Richmond. Should there be a Japanese or German attack, this town would serve as a decoy. The idea was to shut the power of Richmond off and light up the decoy area, so that the true capital would not be harmed. The land was never actually used for this purpose, and in 1948 a hospital was built here. Today, this area is primarily used for National Guard exercises. The area is considered to be off-limits, although you may find several ghost hunters prowling for haunted spirits.
Wikipedia
The small community of Lignite sprung up when iron ore was discovered in the area. The town was named for this metal, lignite. During this boom, the town housed businesses, churches, and even a theatre. Prosperity eventually ended and by 1890, the town had been completely abandoned. Very little remains of this once prosperous community, which is now part of the Jefferson National Forest. These chimneys, overgrown with vine and weeds, are just about all the remain of this abandoned community.
What currently stands as an unincorporated community on the river was once a former tobacco port that was established in 1753. George Mason’s son, Thomas Mason built and operated a ferry that ran across the Occoquan River. Only a few privately owned buildings remain in this small area, due to the declining tobacco industry and silting of the river. (Photograph above taken in 1959 of what was once an Inn.)
Wikipedia
Wash Woods once stood in what is now False Cape State Park. The steeple was originally part of a Methodist Church and is now all that remains. According to popular legend, this community developed when a group of shipwreck survivors landed in the area sometime between the late 16th century and early 17th century. Structures were all built from the cypress wood which was originally part of the ship. There was a community present in the area until the 1920s, when the sliver of beach had eroded so much that it could no longer support the people living there, and they left.
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