The ghost town is an excellent destination for history buffs. The silent tourists can explore the ruins of old buildings that tell stories from years ago. In contrast, others stand as hints at what used to exist long ago – some even with clues about where you might find more information on this exciting topic!
The old Ruby City, now called “The Townsite,” was once one of the most famous mining towns in The Northwest. It became the county seat for 11 months, and its ruins can be found today; six general stores and several saloons to remember it by – all left are stone foundations!
The small town of Loomis, Washington, was once a bustling mining community with eight saloons and two dance halls. Today the road through this agricultural region is quiet except for some turn-of-century homes that still stand as a testament to its former seclusively as an essential stop on the route from Eastern cities or Western frontier out westward progress towards what we know now about life beyond the flat landing.
The Loomis to Similkameen and Oroville loop takes you past the ghost town of Nighthawk (registered with the Historical Society as a historic site). The old Enloe Dam is also on this route, which was used for mining and served as a supply center during the early decades of 20th century America.
Several buildings are still standing from when they first started being mined back then – meaning they’re over 100 years old! One such building, housing office, or school would’ve been where we got our education about gold prospecting.
The first orchard in what would become Oroville, Washington, was developed by Hiram Francis “Okanogan” Smith. A native son and civilizing force during the 1860s who settled near present-day town with his family to farm rice when it became clear that natural rainfall wasn’t enough for crops without additional watering facilities available on site–he had true pioneer resourcefulness!
And so, 24 acres worth of apples were born out of this one man’s vision, and eight new peach trees are still produced today.
Molson School Museum is a treasure trove of days gone by. Full-scale buildings, farming, and mining equipment await you in Old Molson, while the restored classroom offers insight into how life was back when this used to be one big farm!
You can also find the original school library with excellent displays of hand tools and household artifacts and photographs that bring alive memories from long ago. Many things remain hidden under dirt, but they will always remind us of what our grandparents witnessed first-hand during their lifetime.
Bodie, Washington
Imagine the roar of engines and stamping feet as thousands upon thousands of miners worked day after tireless day, never taking a break. Now imagine yourself in one such mining town – Bodie! This ghostly abandoned territory was founded just south-east around 1888 by prospectors who had discovered rich ore deposits here at their leisure; it’s said that they found more than three hundred pounds worth before leaving for good with gold fever sweeping through all who practiced these late 1800s
Chesaw, Washington
Come to Chesaw, Washington, for a taste of small-town living and American history. The downtown area is filled with antique stores that have been around since you were born! Take your pick from any number of restaurants or hotels in this picturesque valley – all are sure not to disappoint.
I’m located 30 minutes east of Oroville, so I can show up closer than ever before while still being just far enough away so my customers don’t feel like they’re walking too much (or anything).
Loomistown, Washington
Loomis, WA, is a quiet country road with some turn-of-the-century homes. It was once an important mining town with eight saloons and two dance halls during its heyday as another one of Okanogan’s great mining towns – but today, you’ll find only ruins from these days.
Molson Oroville, Washington
The Molson Museums are a treasure trove of days gone by. Full-scale buildings, farming, and mining equipment await you in Old Molson, while restored classrooms allow visitors to step back into times long past with their eyes wide open for wonderment at what life was really like here on these grounds before us! The original school library can also be found inside – with its original bookshelves intact right down one side, making any bookworm drool.
Nighthawk, Washington
The Loomis to Similkameen and Oroville loop takes you past the ghost town of Nighthawk (registered with the Historical Society as a Ghost Town), where many historic structures still stand—events from the early 20th century. The Enloe Dam is also picturesque, having been decommissioned but not yet torn down; it looks almost like a natural waterfall.
Ruby Townsite, Washington
The city of old Ruby was a mining town in the Northwest, and for 11 months, it served as the county seat. Today, only stone foundations remain from what was once an extensive settlement that included six general stores along with plenty of saloons and hotels galore.
