Ghost Towns of the East Coast

October 8, 2025

Where the past won’t let go.

Not every town grows with time. Some slip quietly into the past — their streets empty, windows boarded, churches and schoolhouses standing silent against the years. Along the East Coast, you’ll find places that once bustled with life but now hold only echoes. Step into these ghost towns, and you’ll feel how the past refuses to let go.

Dudleytown — Cornwall, Connecticut

Often called the “Village of the Damned,” Dudleytown was abandoned in the late 1800s after a series of unexplained tragedies. Locals whisper about a family curse, and hikers report strange lights and an unsettling quiet in the woods.

While you’re there: Explore nearby Mohawk State Forest and check if any local guides are running history walks in the area. **Please note that the actual area of Dudleytown is closed to the public and under constant watch by nearby residents.

Dogtown — Gloucester, Massachusetts

Once home to freed slaves, widows of sailors, and Revolutionary War veterans, Dogtown slowly dwindled until only cellar holes and stone foundations remained. Witchcraft legends linger, with stories of “fortune tellers” who lived in the woods.

While you’re there: Hike the Dogtown trails to see old cellar ruins and the mysterious Babson boulders carved with words like COURAGE and TRUTH.

Roanoke Colony — Roanoke Island, North Carolina

The “Lost Colony” remains America’s most famous vanished settlement. Founded in 1587, its 117 residents disappeared without a trace. The only clue left behind was the word “Croatoan” carved into a tree.

While you’re there: Visit the Lost Colony outdoor drama in Manteo or join one of the island’s ghost walks for an eerie evening.

Hanton City — Smithfield, Rhode Island

Nicknamed “Lost City,” this small mill town faded in the early 1900s. Today, you’ll find crumbling foundations deep in the woods and a reputation for strange happenings that keep locals away after dark.

While you’re there: Pair the visit with a day in Providence or tour Slater Mill in Pawtucket, another historic site with its own ghost stories.

Sunbury — Georgia

Once a bustling port rivaling Savannah, Sunbury was destroyed during the Revolutionary War and never recovered. Today only a few ruins and a cemetery remain, surrounded by marshland.

While you’re there: Head into Savannah for lantern-lit walking tours and other Lowcountry ghost stories.

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If You Go

• Respect the ruins. Many ghost towns are fragile or protected — stick to marked trails or guided walks.
• Go with a guide. Local historians bring the best mix of fact and legend.
• Bring a camera. Not just for the stone walls and ruins — but in case you catch something unexpected.