Ghost Towns of Kansas (T-Z)

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Terra Cotta, KS

County: Ellsworth
Zip Code:
Latitude / Longitude: 38°44’30″N 97°57’26″W
Elevation: 1,473 ft (449 m)
Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Terra Cotta is a ghost town in Ellsworth County, Kansas, United States.
Remains: A post office was opened in Terra Cotta in 1878, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1913. Initially a shipping station for sand and clay in 1867, Terra Cotta was named for the red clay in the surrounding hills, “colored earth.” The town of 15-20 people added a grocery store, elevator, lumber yard, and a hotel. A cheese factory and blacksmith shop were built, but the majority of the (around 75 at the highest) were farmers and ranchers. At a convenient location along the Kansas Pacific Railway in 1885, Terra Cotta housed several stockyards. And, between 1886 and 1912, more cattle were shipped from Terra Cotta and neighboring Brookville than from any other place between Kansas City and Denver.
Current Status: Today, only the railroad tracks remain of the townsite, as the depot was moved to Ellsworth as part of a museum complex.
Remarks: A series of hardships sealed the fate of this small town. The hotel was burned down by wildfire in 1887. A local recession drove many families and businesses away the next year. Although in decline, the Union Pacific Railway built a new depot in 1900. By 1910, only 20 people lived in the town, and the post office closed in 1913.

Terry, KS

Thurman, KS

County: Chase
Zip Code:
Latitude / Longitude: 38°6’3″N 96°31’1″W
Elevation: 1,394 ft (425 m)
Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Thurman is a ghost town in Chase County, Kansas, United States.
Remains: Founded in 1874, it experienced a period of decline that concluded in its abandonment in 1944. In 1900, the community was composed of over fifty households, and it included a post office, stores, schools, and a church. A post office existed in Thurman from August 24, 1874 to January 31, 1909.
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Toledo, KS

County: Chase
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Latitude / Longitude: 38° 25′ 20″ N, 96° 22′ 16″ W
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Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Toledo is an unincorporated community in Chase County, Kansas, in the United States.
Remains: A post office was opened in Toledo in 1858, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1903.
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Tontzville, KS

Touzalin, KS

Trading Post, KS

County: Linn
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Latitude / Longitude: 38°14’55″N 94°40’50″W
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Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Trading Post is an unincorporated community in Linn County, Kansas, United States, which is said to be one of the oldest continuously occupied locations in the state. In 1842 a United States Army fort was built there, but it was soon abandoned. The fort remained until probably at least 1900. It was used by troops travelling through the during the American Civil War and a military post was established in 1861 and lasted until summer 1865. The Battle of Marais des Cygnes was fought here during the American Civil War. The location derives its name from a French trading post established there about 1825.
Remains: The site is also the location of the Marais des Cygnes massacre on May 19, 1858, when Charles Hamelton was forced out of the state by Jayhawkers returned with border ruffians from Missouri and captured 11 Jayhawkers where they were shot (five were killed, five were wounded and one escaped by feigning death). John Brown was to visit the site and built a fort.
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Trail City, KS

Treece, KS

County: Cherokee
Zip Code: 66778
Latitude / Longitude: 37°0’1″N 94°50’37″W
Elevation: 840 ft (256 m)
Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
Established: 2012
Disestablished:
Comments: Treece is a ghost town in Cherokee County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 138.
Remains: Treece and neighboring former cities Picher, Cardin and Douthat were formed as a result of mining operations in the early 20th century. Realtor J. O. Treece lent the town his name. The first post office in Treece was established in 1917. Treece was a major supplier of lead, zinc, and iron ore. During its maximum production, Treece and Picher combined had a of over 20,000 and produced $20 billion worth of ore mainly during World War I and World War II. After the 1970s, ore production declined rapidly as did the city’s .
Current Status: As of May 2012 the city was abandoned and most buildings and other facilities demolished due to pervasive problems with lead pollution resulting from past mining. Two people who had refused an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) buyout remained.
Remarks: It is located less than a mile north of Picher, Oklahoma, a town which has been closed due to lead pollution, and its residents’ property bought out by the Environmental Protection Agency. Residents of Treece were also demanding a buy-out, but at first were not certain of receiving one. As of September 2009, it was reported that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wanted to clean up the soil in Treece, instead of moving its residents away. Congress, however, passed an environmental appropriations bill on October 29, 2009, that authorizes the EPA to buy out the town. Residents had until August 31, 2010 to apply for a Federal buyout and offers are to be made to the 80 residents who applied in December. As of May 2, 2012 only one couple has rejected the buyout offer and remain in Treece living in a double-wide trailer. Other than their location all other facilities in the former city have been sold, moved, or demolished. In 2012, the State of Kansas officially disincorporated the city of Treece.

Trousdale, KS

County: Lincoln
Zip Code:
Latitude / Longitude: 37° 48′ 55″ N, 99° 5′ 8″ W
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Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Trousdale is an unincorporated community in Lincoln Township, Edwards County, Kansas, United States.
Remains: It began when a railroad junction was constructed in 1915. It is named for a Newton, Kansas resident who owned land in the vicinity. At its peak it boasted a bank (which closed during the Depression), Trousdale Grade School and High School, several retail establishments, and two grain elevators. A high line was built to the community in 1927 to provide electrical service.
Current Status: In 2006, the Trousdale Methodist Church, a repair shop/parts store, a grain storage facility, and an unmanned fuel retail outlet are the only businesses in addition to family farming operations that are in Trousdale. But due to the May 4, 2007 tornado, the Methodist Church was destroyed. A new church has been built on the site of the original church.
Remarks: A post office was opened in Trousdale in 1916, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1967.

Twin Mound, KS

County: Douglas
Zip Code:
Latitude / Longitude: 38°51’37″N 95°28’54″W
Elevation: 1,056 ft (322 m)
Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Twin Mound was a townsite in western Douglas County, Kansas, United States. It was named for two natural mounds that rise gently from the landscape.
Remains: Henry Hiatt was born in Dublin, Indiana in 1816. In 1856, Hiatt, his wife and five children moved to Kansas Territory settling in Bloomington. Shortly after his arrival, Hiatt and two other men operated a saw mill but within a year Hiatt decided to move on and transported his family seven miles southwest. The two nearly identical mounds inspired Hiatt for he settled in the and founded his own community, Twin Mounds.
Current Status: The townsite remains a small farming community. All that remains is the one-room schoolhouse, the cemetery and the two mounds.
Remarks: Hiatt gave no explanation as to why he left Bloomington but Hiatt resented the power of organized church in American society, preferred Confucius’s version of the Golden Rule and possibly objected to the regulations the Bloomington Town Company was imposing on the residents. Hiatt was, to a large degree, an anarchist. Hiatt died in 1900 and was buried in a homemade coffin in Twin Mound Cemetery, a cemetery he started in 1858 when his first wife died. Eventually the s was dropped from the town name. The small farming community was growing steadily and Hiatt had big plans for the town. He began talking up the Twin Mounds Harmonic College which would teach science, facts and laws; not sect, doctrine, nature or creed. The college would also be open to all races, creeds and sexes. Why Hiatt failed in this venture is possibly due to Hiatt’s lack of experience and going up against stronger opposition who wanted a university in Lawrence. The Twin Mound post office, opened in 1858, was discontinued in 1903.

Ulysses, KS

County: Grant
Zip Code: 67880
Latitude / Longitude: 37°34’48″N 101°21’27″W
Elevation: 3,051 ft (930 m)
Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Ulysses (pronounced /ju”‘l”s”s/) is a city in and the county seat of Grant County, Kansas, United States. It is named after Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States.
Remains: In 1831, south of the future site of Ulysses, Kansas, then a part of Northern Mexico Territory, mountain man and explorer, Jedediah Smith, was killed by Commanche warriors, on May 27, 1831. The first Ulysses, town, founded in June 1885, was located approximately two miles east of present-day Ulysses. Approximately six weeks later Ulysses’ first newspaper, The Grant County Register, began publication.
Current Status: As of the 2010 census, the city population was 6,161
Remarks: The move that began in February was completed in June 1909, when every resident with their homes, business houses and belongings moved from the old town site. The inhabitants moved to the new location, two and one half miles west, crossing the Lakin draw at the bottom of an intervening valley, and built a new town called New Ulysses. Later in 1909, with the move complete, the former citizens left the old town site just as they had found it, a rolling tract of prairie.

Union Center, KS

County: Shawnee
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Uniontown, KS

County: Bourbon
Zip Code: 66779
Latitude / Longitude: 37°50’50″N 94°58’33″W
Elevation: 896 ft (273 m)
Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Uniontown is a city in Bourbon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 272.
Remains: A post office was established in 1856 about two miles east of the present town. Uniontown was moved to its present site about 1865. The early settlers being loyal to the Union in the Civil War caused the name to be selected.
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Vega, KS

Veteran, KS

Victor, KS

Volland, KS

County: Wabaunsee
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Latitude / Longitude: 38° 56′ 40″ N, 96° 24′ 16″ W
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Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Volland is an unincorporated community in Wabaunsee County, Kansas, in the United States.
Remains: A post office was opened in Volland in 1887. It was discontinued in 1955.
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Voltaire, KS

County: Sherman
Zip Code:
Latitude / Longitude: 39° 28′ 30″ N, 101° 40′ 32″ W
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Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Voltaire Township is one of the thirteen townships of Sherman County, Kansas, United States.
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Current Status: The population was 252 at the 2000 census.
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Voorhees, KS

County: Stevens
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Votaw, KS

Waconda, KS

Wanamaker, KS

Waterloo, KS

County: Kingman
Zip Code:
Latitude / Longitude: 37° 40′ 37″ N, 97° 56′ 27″ W
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Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Waterloo is an unincorporated community in Kingman County, Kansas, in the United States.
Remains: The post office in Waterloo closed in 1912.
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Wauneta, KS

County: Chautauqua
Zip Code:
Latitude / Longitude: 37°06’47″N 96°22’50″W
Elevation: 958 ft (292 m)
Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Wauneta is an unincorporated community in Chautauqua County, Kansas, United States.
Remains: Wauneta once had a post office; it closed in 1961.
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Webster, KS

County: Rooks
Zip Code: 67669
Latitude / Longitude: 39°23’13″N 99°25’04″W
Elevation: 1,937 ft (590 m)
Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Webster was an unincorporated community in Belmont Township, Rooks County, Kansas, United States.
Remains: The community of Webster was established in the Solomon Valley along the South Fork Solomon River in the late 1870s. Webster was created from two settlements; Webster settled on the north side of the river and Belmont that originated on the south side of the river. Belmont was founded as a trading post in 1876. Due to flooding, the Belmont settlement was moved across the river adjoining the Webster settlement. Belmont was first to file an application for a post office. The Belmont application was denied as another Kansas town had previously been granted the name. Instead, Webster was granted a post office in 1879.
Current Status: Construction of Webster Dam on the South Fork Solomon River was approved in 1953. Webster Reservoir would encompass the occupied by the town of Webster. As a result, the town was relocated 2 miles to the southeast. Many businesses and residents chose not to relocate to the new town site.
Remarks: Webster, named for Daniel Webster, was surveyed, platted and filed in 1885. The town was never incorporated. In 1888, Webster had two doctors, two churches, a school and 24 businesses. A large city park called The Grove featured towering cottonwood trees.

Wherry, KS

White Cloud, KS

County: Doniphan
Zip Code: 66094
Latitude / Longitude: 39°58’38″N 95°18’0″W
Elevation: 883 ft (269 m)
Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: White Cloud (Ioway: Chína Maxúthga pronounced [t””i”nã mãxu””k”] or Chína Maxúhga pronounced [t””i”nã mãxuh”k”], meaning “Village Cloud-White”) is a city in Doniphan County, Kansas, United States. It was named for James White Cloud, son of Chief White Cloud of the Iowa people. The first post office at White Cloud was established in July, 1855.
Remains: In 1857, the town site was purchased by John Utt and Enoch Spaulding, two land promoters from Oregon, Missouri, who then sold lots in the town. White Cloud prospered by taking advantage of steamboat traffic on the nearby Missouri River. In 1913, ten-year-old Wilbur Chapman of White Cloud gained widespread publicity after raising and selling a pig for $25.00, which he donated to the American Mission to Lepers. An obelisk-shaped monument was installed in front of the Community Christian Church in White Cloud in Chapman’s honor.
Current Status: As of the 2010 census, the city population was 176. White Cloud is the seat of government for the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.
Remarks: Some scenes from the 1973 movie Paper Moon were filmed in White Cloud. White Cloud is featured in episode 4 of the 2008 television documentary Stephen Fry in America. The entire downtown district of White Cloud is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as are the Poulet House and the White Cloud School.

White Rock, KS

County: Republic
Zip Code:
Latitude / Longitude: 39° 53′ 10″ N, 97° 55′ 56″ W
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Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: White Rock, Kansas was a settlement in Republic County, Kansas.
Remains: Several attempts were made to settle the , but it wasn’t until 1866 when Thomas Lovewell settled the town permanently. White Rock was formally laid out in 1871 and school began to be taught that same year. It was considered a desirable location because of its land qualities.
Current Status: The town was located on the west side of the Republican River in the White Rock township about 14 miles northwest of Belleville. It was the first settlement in the county west of the Republican River. In 1873 there were 3 general stores, a sawmill, a corn mill and a hotel. As of 1912, there were no businesses and only about 30 people that resided in the location.
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Willard, KS

County: Shawnee, Wabaunsee
Zip Code:
Latitude / Longitude: 39°5’38″N 95°56’36″W
Elevation: 922 ft (281 m)
Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Willard is a city in Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties in the State of Kansas.
Remains: In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a main line from Topeka through Willard to Herington. The Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway was foreclosed in 1891 and taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad, merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the “Rock Island”.
Current Status: As of the 2010 census, the city population was 92.
Remarks: Before 1883, Willard was not much of a town but when the Rock Island Railroad laid tracks through the community, Willard became the typical railroad town. In the early 1920s, Willard boasted a of over 300 and was a major cattle shipping point for this region. During the 1930s many businesses closed, the railroad became less important and, finally, in 1951, a flood destroyed much of the town and caused the roadway bridge over the Kansas River to collapse isolating the town from surrounding communities. A new roadway bridge was built in 1955.

Williamsport, KS

County: Shawnee
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Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Williamsport Township is a township in Shawnee County, Kansas, in the United States.
Remains: Williamsport Township was organized by settlers from Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
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Wilmington, KS

County: Wabunsee
Zip Code:
Latitude / Longitude: 38° 44′ 40″ N, 95° 57′ 34″ W
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Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Wilmington is an unincorporated community in Wabunsee County, Kansas, in the United States.
Remains: A post office was opened in Wilmington in 1857, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1906.
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Wilsonton, KS

Woodruff, KS

County: Phillips
Zip Code:
Latitude / Longitude: 39°59’34″N 99°25’35″W
Elevation: 2,001 ft (610 m)
Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Woodruff is an unincorporated community in Phillips County, Kansas, United States.
Remains: A post office was opened in Woodruff in 1885, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1956.
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Woodsdale, KS

County: Stevens
Zip Code:
Latitude / Longitude: 37°16’21″N 101°18’34″W
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Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Woodsdale is a ghost town in Stevens County, Kansas, United States. It was involved in a county seat war with Hugoton.
Remains: Woodsdale was laid out in 1886 near the geographical center of the county, with the hope of locating the county seat there.
Current Status: The post office closed March 31, 1915, and there are now no traces of the town remaining. It was located two miles east of Hugoton and six miles north at the intersections of sections 11, 12, 13, & 14.
Remarks: Samuel Newitt Wood and I. C. Price developed the town and it was named for Col. Wood. Its post office was established November 11, 1886, and the town incorporated April 11. 1887. Following the bloody county seat contest in which the governor had to send in two National Guard companies, and which Woodsdale lost to Hugoton, Woodsdale declined.

Yocemento, KS

County: Ellis
Zip Code: 67601
Latitude / Longitude: 38°54’26″N 99°25’26″W
Elevation: 2,051 ft (625 m)
Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
Established: 1906
Disestablished:
Comments: Yocemento is an unincorporated community in Big Creek Township, Ellis County, Kansas, United States.
Remains: The U.S. Portland Cement Company constructed a cement mill at the site of Yocemento in 1906. In 1907, the company platted a town for the mill’s workers, naming it Yocemento, a portmanteau of Yost, the company president’s last name, and cement. A post office opened that same year. By mid-1908, the mill was operational, and the town included a general store, hotel, and restaurant. Many local residents employed at the mill were ethnic Hungarians who had constructed a Catholic church at the site in 1906.
Current Status: In 1917, the cement company went bankrupt and sold the mill to a Denver-based competitor. The post office closed as well. The mill was dismantled, and residents began to leave the community. In 1931, the church building was moved to Buckeye, Kansas for use as a community hall. Today, what remains of the mill has been remodeled into family homes.
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Zarah, KS

County: Barton
Zip Code:
Latitude / Longitude: 38° 24′ 10″ N, 98° 43′ 50″ W
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Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Fort Zarah was a fort in Barton County, Kansas, northeast of present-day Great Bend, Kansas, that was used from 1864-1869.
Remains: In July 1864, because of frequent Indian attacks in the , Camp Dunlap was established 2 miles east of present-day Great Bend, Kansas, where the Santa Fe Trail crossed the Walnut Creek. At first the camp was a series of tents and dugouts on the riverbank close to the Rath Ranch (trading post). However work immediately started on a more permanent facility about 100 yards from the dugouts and renamed Fort Zarah. In 1866 it was replaced by a second Fort Zarah built about 1/2 mile up river. Ft. Zarah was abandoned in 1869.
Current Status: A small town called Zarah grew up around Fort Zarah. At its peak, Zarah had a hotel, two saloons, a blacksmith shop, a livery stable, a general store, a post office, and several homes. Several thousand Texas cattle were wintered there. The town of Zarah is now a wheat field 3 miles east of Great Bend. The last citizen left Zarah in 1875 about 6 years after the fort was abandoned.
Remarks: Even though Fort Zarah had a short life, it saw its share of Indian fights and colorful characters including George Armstrong Custer, Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Mathewson, Buffalo Bill Cody, Kit Carson, and the great Indian chief Satank aka Sitting Bear. Fort Zarah was established in 1864 by General Samuel R. Curtis and named for his son, Major H. Zarah Curtis who had been killed in the Baxter Springs, Kansas massacre, October 6, 1863. Major Curtis was one of 90 Union soldiers killed by Quantrill’s Raiders who were disguised as Union soldiers.

Zenith, KS

County: Stafford
Zip Code:
Latitude / Longitude: 37°57’26″N 98°29’31″W
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Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Zenith is an unincorporated community in Stafford County, Kansas, United States.
Remains: A post office was opened in Zenith in 1902, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1974.
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Zyba, KS

County: Sumner
Zip Code:
Latitude / Longitude: 37° 26′ 5″ N, 97° 23′ 21″ W
Elevation:
Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
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Comments: Zyba is an unincorporated community in Sumner County, Kansas, in the United States.
Remains: A post office was opened in Zyba in 1887, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1906.
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Taloga, KS