Nevada is home to several ghost towns that reflect the state’s Old West spirit, but the modern day ghost town of Coaldale breaks the mold … and then some.
While many Nevada boomtowns sizzled and fizzled with the times of the mines, Coaldale didn’t have much of a rise and its fall was semi-recent. The lifeless spot in the northwestern corner of Esmeralda County is comprised of abandoned, fire-scorched, mid-century buildings crumbling in the hot desert sun.
It’s almost as if the zombie apocalypse happened and nobody told us.
Coaldale is set beneath the Candelaria Hills at the junction of highways 95 and 6.
Flickr / Don Barrett The town developed as a result of nearby Nevada coal mines but its population never really exploded. When the mines closed in the late 1940s, most turned to local businesses for employment. At its peak, the town of 50 people had a market, general store, cafe, motel, post office and service station.
The gas station was the primary attraction for those passing through the town.
Wikipedia / Stammberger1973 In 1993, EPA testing on the service station found its underground storage tanks were leaking gasoline and diesel fuel. With no money for the repairs, the station closed down.
The restaurant closed down soon after.
The restaurant, bar and slots (vandalized above to read “sluts”) were followed by the motel. All the other businesses closed and the population dwindled to zero.
Graffiti now covers many buildings inside and out.
Flickr / Don Barrett Messages include gang symbols, nonsensical phrases and, believe it or not, inspirational quotes.
The town is full of forgotten remnants like an old-school television …
Flickr / Todd Korpriva If we can just find an abandoned couch we can sit back, relax and tune into the “Twilight Zone.”
… a lawnmower …
Flickr / Bradley Fulton So much for a lawn.
… mattresses …
YouTube / Explore With Us Bed frames have also been spotted.
… a refrigerator …
Flickr / Todd Korpriva At least we think that’s a refrigerator.
… and wrecked cars.
Flickr / Todd Korpriva Scavengers, vandals and looters have likely picked through everything else that was left behind.
An arsonist-set fire destroyed many of the buildings.
Flickr / jar [] The mysterious fire took place during the first decade of the 21st century.
The interiors of the homes and businesses are pretty eerie.
YouTube / Explore With Us And we thought OUR toilets needed cleaning.
To be honest, so are the exteriors.
Flickr / Todd Korpriva Let’s just say, we won’t be visiting at night.
The entire ghost town basically looks like something out of a horror film.
Flickr / Bradley Fulton We’re not the only ones who think so. In 1994, the modern day ghost town was used as the set for a small-budget horror film, “The Strangers.” The film has a 45 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
So what do you think of Coaldale? Do you know anyone who lived here before it transformed into a modern day ghost town? We’d love to hear their story and your thoughts.
Flickr / Don Barrett
The town developed as a result of nearby Nevada coal mines but its population never really exploded. When the mines closed in the late 1940s, most turned to local businesses for employment. At its peak, the town of 50 people had a market, general store, cafe, motel, post office and service station.
Wikipedia / Stammberger1973
In 1993, EPA testing on the service station found its underground storage tanks were leaking gasoline and diesel fuel. With no money for the repairs, the station closed down.
The restaurant, bar and slots (vandalized above to read “sluts”) were followed by the motel. All the other businesses closed and the population dwindled to zero.
Flickr / Don Barrett
Messages include gang symbols, nonsensical phrases and, believe it or not, inspirational quotes.
Flickr / Todd Korpriva
If we can just find an abandoned couch we can sit back, relax and tune into the “Twilight Zone.”
Flickr / Bradley Fulton
So much for a lawn.
YouTube / Explore With Us
Bed frames have also been spotted.
Flickr / Todd Korpriva
At least we think that’s a refrigerator.
Scavengers, vandals and looters have likely picked through everything else that was left behind.
Flickr / jar []
The mysterious fire took place during the first decade of the 21st century.
And we thought OUR toilets needed cleaning.
Let’s just say, we won’t be visiting at night.
We’re not the only ones who think so. In 1994, the modern day ghost town was used as the set for a small-budget horror film, “The Strangers.” The film has a 45 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
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