List of ghost towns in Maryland facts for kids

Pentecostal Holiness Church ruins in Daniels

Have you ever wondered about towns that used to be busy and full of life, but are now mostly empty or completely gone? These are called ghost towns. In Maryland, you can find many places that were once thriving communities but are now just memories.

Ghost towns can look very different. Some might have a few old buildings still standing, while others have completely disappeared, turning back into fields or forests. Sometimes, a few people might still live in a "ghost town," but it's much smaller than it was in its past.

Many of Maryland's ghost towns are found in the Appalachian region, especially in Garrett County. In the 1700s and 1800s, many towns grew quickly because of busy industries like coal mining, railroads, and making iron. But as the natural resources ran out and the Great Depression hit in the late 1920s, many of these industrial towns slowly faded away.

What Makes a Ghost Town?

Foundation of a hotel in Lapidum

Ghost towns are often grouped by how much of them is left. Here are some ways to think about them:

Completely Gone Sites

These are places where almost nothing is left.

• The town might have been destroyed.
• It could be covered by water, like a lake created by a dam.
• The land might have turned back into fields or forests.
• You might only find a few old foundations or small clues that a town was once there.

Mostly Ruined Sites

Ruins of a church in Daniels

At these sites, you can still see some parts of the old town.

• There might be piles of rubble.
• All the buildings are empty and nobody lives in them.
• Some buildings might still have walls, but no roofs.

Abandoned Sites

These towns still have buildings standing, but they are empty.

• Houses and other buildings are still there.
• All the buildings are abandoned, meaning no one lives or works in them.
• There are no residents, except maybe a caretaker looking after the property.
• Sometimes, only one or two buildings, like an old church or store, are left from the original town.

Partially Abandoned Sites

These are towns where some people still live, but many buildings are empty.

• Buildings and houses are still standing.
• Many buildings are abandoned.
• Only a few people live there compared to how many used to.
• The town is much smaller than it was during its busiest times.

Marion Station has become much smaller since the 1950s

Historic Communities

These are towns that are still active, but much smaller than they used to be.

• Buildings and houses are still standing.
• It's still a busy community, but not as busy as it once was.
• The number of people living there has dropped a lot, sometimes to one-fifth or less of its original size.

Maryland's Ghost Towns by County

See also

• List of counties in Maryland
• Category:Mining in Maryland
• Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad