TL;DR: After serving in the United States Marine Corps, I now work as a Web Developer with a mission to document and preserve America’s ghost towns. I aim to visit all 50 US states (five remaining! Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi) and share their forgotten stories through photography, fieldwork, and community collaboration. When not exploring abandoned sites, I enjoy whiskey, retro gaming, and soaking in Idaho’s hot springs.
My Journey into Ghost Town Documentation
From Military Discipline to Historical Stewardship
My 20-year IT career began in the Marine Corps as a Computer System Specialist, where I maintained mission-critical systems. Today, I apply that same precision to preserving ghost towns. Just as I ensured military PCs were operational, I now build, user-friendly platforms to protect these historical sites from digital oblivion.
Why Ghost Towns?
During cross-country road trips to visit all 50 states, I stumbled upon crumbling mining towns and overgrown homesteads. These places whispered stories of boom and bust—stories most had forgotten. Documenting them became my calling.
Recent Explorations
Preserving History Through Technology
Bridging IT Expertise and Heritage Conservation
My work rebuilding Public Employees Retirement System of Idaho’s websites taught me how to organize complex data—a skill I now use to catalog ghost town artifacts, census records, and oral histories. Certifications in Network+ and Ranorex Test Automation ensure this archive remains accessible for generations.
Tech-Driven Preservation Projects
- 3D Scans of Endangered Structures: Using photogrammetry to create models of decaying buildings
- Interactive Map: Plotting GPS coordinates and visiting tips for adventurers
- Community Archive: A platform for visitors to share photos/stories (see “Contribute” below)
Explore With Me: Audience-Centric Resources
For History Buffs
- Meticulously sourced town profiles with census data, historical maps, and newspaper clippings
- “Vanishing America” Series: Monthly deep-dives into the most endangered sites
For Road Trip Planners
- Seasonal Access Guides: Which ghost towns are reachable after snowfall?
- Metal Detecting Hotspots: Where to search for relics (ethically and legally!)
Contribute to Preservation
Your Stories Matter
Help Save These Sites:
- Submit Your Story: Email photos/memories to unitedstatesghosttowns+stories@gmail.com for featured spotlights
- Report Updates: Noticed vandalism or new archaeological finds? Alert me here unitedstatesghosttowns+reports@gmail.com
- Join the Newsletter: Get exclusive access to newly documented towns (launching 2025)
My Personal Story (Condensed)
Born in Fargo, ND, I grew up building snow forts and tinkering with LEGOs—early training for reconstructing history from fragments! After high school, I joined the Marines (“If you’re going to do it, do it right”), which instilled the resilience needed to track down overgrown cemeteries and decipher faded grave markers.
A Turning Point
My post-military struggles with divorce and depression mirrored the ghost towns I document—broken but enduring. Rebuilding my life taught me that every abandoned site deserves a second act, even if only in memory.
Let’s Connect
- My Professional Background: LinkedIn
- Facebook: unitedstatesghosttowns
- Instagram: unitedstatesghosttowns
- X (Twitter): GhostStates
- LinkedIn: unitedstatesghosttowns
- Pinterest: unitedstatesghosttowns
- Tumblr: unitedstatesghosttowns
- YouTube: @UnitedStatesGhostTowns
- Collaborate: Email to discuss partnerships: unitedstatesghosttowns+partner@gmail.com
Continue Your Journey
“Ghost towns aren’t ruins—they’re reminders. Let’s honor them before silence wins.”
~ Jason Smith
