Emerging Ghost Towns of the Plains
For generations, the struggles of agriculture have been a recurring theme in newspapers, local conversations, and particularly among farmers themselves. This narrative of decline, familiar to anyone with roots in rural America, paints a picture of hardship and uncertainty. While the economic impact is widely discussed, the more subtle, yet equally profound consequence is the rise of “emerging ghost towns.” These are the agricultural communities across the plains states, slowly fading away as their economic foundations erode.
Most people are familiar with the classic images of ghost towns: abandoned mining settlements, historic cow towns frozen in time, or forgotten stops along the iconic Route 66. These places often met their demise due to industrial shifts or the decline of the railroad, replaced by the allure of automobile travel. However, the phenomenon of agricultural ghost towns is something different, a more recent development even for those who grew up surrounded by them. To truly see these dying towns scattered across the vast Emerging Ghost Towns of the Plains is a stark reminder of the changing landscape of rural America.
The author, reflecting on her own upbringing in a small Kansas town, acknowledges the good fortune of her community, which has managed to avoid the fate of becoming one of the many Emerging Ghost Towns of the Plains thanks to alternative resources like oil and gas. But, for countless other towns lacking such economic diversity, the story is one of quiet decline. These are places often overlooked, passed by without a second glance, their stories untold.
A recent journey through Kansas, undertaken with the intention of examining these struggling communities, revealed a landscape dotted with what can only be described as Emerging Ghost Towns of the Plains. While the photographer’s eye is drawn to the visual appeal of crumbling buildings, weathered trucks, abandoned tractors, and boarded-up businesses, a sense of melancholy tempers the excitement. These are not the ghost towns of a distant past, but rather communities where the people who built them, who invested their lives in them, may still be living nearby, witnessing the slow decay.
Visiting a ghost town from a century ago is a different experience than confronting the reality of these "new" ghost towns. The connection to the people, to their struggles and their memories, is immediate and personal. The heart aches for those who poured their energy into building businesses, farms, and homes, now standing desolate with peeling paint and broken windows, devoid of potential buyers. While the farms remain, often larger than before, the smaller family plots, symbols of a bygone era, are frequently accompanied by homes in a similar state of disrepair. The article aims to provide information on these Emerging Ghost Towns of the Plains.
Though the author’s recent awakening to this phenomenon may feel new, the decline of small towns across the Great Plains has been ongoing for decades. From North Dakota to the Texas Panhandle, the population of these communities has been dwindling for the past 75 years. This article provides a descriptive account of these Emerging Ghost Towns of the Plains.
During the era of westward expansion, the American West was shaped not only by cowboys, railroaders, miners, lawmen, and outlaws, but also, and perhaps more importantly, by the homesteaders and the businesses that supported them. These often-overlooked individuals formed the backbone of these communities, establishing the Main Streets, schools, churches, and homes that now stand abandoned. The values and work ethic of these pioneers were instrumental in building these towns, making their current state all the more poignant.
The decline of the farmer began in the 1930s, a period marked by the Great Depression and the devastating Dust Bowl. Many farmers lost their land due to crippling debt, while others were forced to abandon their homes in the face of environmental catastrophe. This exodus left behind vast stretches of abandoned land, a harbinger of the changes to come.
Paradoxically, progress also contributed to the decline. The introduction of better machinery, hybrid seeds, and large-scale irrigation systems allowed fewer farmers to cultivate more land. This increased efficiency meant that agricultural operations could no longer support the same number of families, leading to an outmigration of younger generations seeking opportunities elsewhere.
As farms grew larger, the need for manpower decreased, and the small towns that supported them suffered. Grocery stores, hardware stores, doctors’ offices, law firms, churches, and schools all felt the impact of the shrinking population. Eventually, these businesses closed down or relocated to larger centers, leaving a void in the community.
What remains as the younger generation seeks employment in cities and merchants move their businesses elsewhere? Abandoned buildings, vacant homes with no prospective buyers, and a dwindling population of elderly residents who have spent their entire lives in the community and are reluctant to leave. As these elders pass away, their homes are often left unclaimed, further contributing to the town’s decline. Without the commitment of new residents, the town continues to fade, its future uncertain.
The article relates a conversation with a man who had recently abandoned his spacious family home in favor of a trailer. His explanation was simple: he could no longer afford the upkeep on the old house. In many cases, these small towns lack the historical significance to qualify for preservation grants, leaving residents with few options.
However, some small towns have defied the odds, reinventing themselves as "boutique communities." By transforming their historic buildings into antique shops and quaint restaurants, they attract tourists and revitalize their local economies. Paxico, Kansas, is a prime example, where a concerted effort to preserve historic buildings has drawn visitors and kept the town alive.
This transformation often begins with a single individual and gradually spreads throughout the community. While some residents may resist the changes associated with becoming a "tourist attraction," the alternative is often a slow decline. Paxico, with a population of around 200, continues to thrive as a result of its proactive approach.
It is interesting to observe the types of businesses that manage to survive in these small towns. In many cases, if the town is located on a railroad line, the grain elevator is the only remaining business. Other towns may have a post office and, surprisingly, a bank. Towns located near major highways may have a convenience store and gas station. Some may still have a beauty salon or barbershop, while others are left with only a saloon. These surviving businesses offer a glimpse into the changing priorities of the community.
Unfortunately, some small towns have suffered a far worse fate. The author recounts an unplanned visit to Lela, Texas, a small town located on the old Route 66. While taking photographs of the abandoned church, she was approached by a suspicious individual and quickly left town. She later learned that Lela had become a haven for meth labs and drug addicts.
This experience highlighted the darker side of the decline of small towns. In some cases, these communities have become havens for criminal activity, operating under the radar. The author recounts other unsettling experiences, including being approached by suspicious characters and followed on foot and in vehicles. While some of these individuals may simply be looking after the property, others have less clear intentions.
As a result of these experiences, the author has become more cautious when visiting ghost towns. While still drawn to their beauty and history, she now recognizes the potential dangers. In some cases, she finds the pioneer spirit and work ethic that once defined these communities, but in others, she encounters only despair and criminal activity. These experiences have provided her with a firsthand understanding of the factors that contribute to the transformation of a place into a true ghost town.