List of ghost towns in North Carolina facts for kids

A ghost town is a place that used to be a busy town, but now most or all of its people have moved away. These towns are often left with empty buildings and a quiet, eerie feeling. North Carolina has several interesting ghost towns, each with its own story of why it became abandoned.

What is a Ghost Town?

A ghost town is a town that has been mostly or completely abandoned. This means that most of its residents have left. Sometimes, a few people might still live there. But the town is no longer a lively community. Many ghost towns have old, empty buildings. These buildings stand as silent reminders of the past.

Why Do Towns Become Ghost Towns?

Towns can become ghost towns for many reasons. Often, the main reason people leave is because their jobs disappear. For example, a mining town might become a ghost town if the mine runs out of minerals. Or a logging town might empty if all the trees are cut down.

Natural disasters can also cause towns to be abandoned. Floods, fires, or droughts can make a place unlivable. Sometimes, new roads or railways bypass a town. This makes it harder for businesses to thrive. People then move to places with more opportunities. In North Carolina, some towns were even submerged by lakes!

Famous Ghost Towns in North Carolina

North Carolina's history includes many towns that are now abandoned. Each one tells a unique story about the state's past.

Brunswick Town

Brunswick Town was once a very important place. It was a busy port city. It even served as the state capital for a short time. This means it was the main city where the government met. The town was attacked and burned by the British in 1776 during the American Revolutionary War. After the war, people decided not to rebuild it. Today, you can visit the ruins of this historic town.

Buffalo City

Buffalo City was a logging town. It was located deep in the Great Dismal Swamp. This town was built around a large lumber mill. When the valuable timber ran out, the mill closed. Without jobs, the people moved away. The town was completely abandoned by the 1930s.

Cape Lookout Village

Cape Lookout Village was a small fishing community. It was located on a barrier island. Life there was very tough. The village faced many strong storms and hurricanes. Over time, people found it too difficult to live there. They slowly moved to the mainland. Today, it is part of a historic district.

Cataloochee

Cataloochee was a farming community. It was nestled in the mountains. When the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was created, the government bought the land. Residents had to move out. Some of the old buildings still stand. They show what life was like in the mountains long ago.

Ceramic

Ceramic was a small industrial town. It was named for a pottery factory. The factory was the main employer. When the factory closed, the town lost its purpose. People left to find work elsewhere.

Diamond City

Diamond City was a fishing village. It was located on the Outer Banks. A powerful hurricane in 1899 destroyed much of the town. The storm made it very hard to rebuild. Many residents decided to move to higher ground. They relocated to what is now Morehead City.

Fort Dobbs

Fort Dobbs was not a town, but a frontier fort. It was built during the French and Indian War. This war was fought between the British and French. Native American tribes also took part. The fort protected settlers on the edge of the wilderness. Once the war ended, the fort was no longer needed. It was abandoned. Today, a reconstructed fort stands on the original site.

Glenville

Glenville was a small mountain town. Its fate was sealed by a new project. The town was submerged when Lake Glenville was created. This happened to generate electricity. Some residents moved to the eastern edge of the new lake. But the original town was lost underwater.

Henry River Mill Village

Henry River Mill Village was a textile mill town. It was built around a cotton mill. The mill provided jobs and housing. When the mill closed down, the village became empty. Its old buildings are still standing. They offer a glimpse into North Carolina's industrial past.

Judson

Judson was another town lost to water. It was submerged under Fontana Lake. This large lake was created during World War II. It provided hydroelectric power. The town was completely covered by the lake's waters.

Lost Cove

Lost Cove was a very isolated community. It was located deep in the mountains. There were no roads leading to it. People had to walk or ride horses for miles. As modern life developed, it became too hard to live there. The last residents left in the 1950s.

Mortimer

Mortimer was a logging and mill town. It was located in the mountains. A huge flood in 1940 destroyed much of the town. The flood washed away homes and businesses. The damage was so severe that the town was never rebuilt.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth was a busy port village. It was located on the Outer Banks. It served as a transfer point for goods. But as ships became larger, they could not use the shallow inlet. New, deeper ports were built elsewhere. The village slowly declined. The last residents left in the 1970s.

Proctor

Proctor was a logging and lumber town. It became isolated when Fontana Lake was created. The lake cut off its access to roads. It became too difficult to get supplies or leave. The town was eventually abandoned.

Roanoke Colony

The Roanoke Colony is one of the most famous mysteries in American history. It was an early English settlement. The first colonists arrived in the late 1580s. When a supply ship returned a few years later, everyone was gone. The word "Croatoan" was carved into a tree. No one knows for sure what happened to the "Lost Colony."

Ruby City

Ruby City was a mining town. It was once located near Willets in Jackson County. People came here hoping to find valuable minerals, especially rubies. When the mining opportunities faded, the town was abandoned. Today, the area is part of the Balsam Mountain Preserve.

Whitney

Whitney was a small community. It was partially submerged by Badin Lake. This lake was created for a hydroelectric dam. The dam provided power for an aluminum plant. Parts of the town were flooded when the lake filled up.