Alberta's Ghost Towns

What would Halloween be without a post about frightening things to do in Alberta? I’m taking a different spin on the scary season however and writing about Alberta ghost towns.

The Ghost Towns of Alberta website gives a comprehensive overview of many abandoned or slowly-dying towns.

The ghastly thing about many abandoned towns is that they were once thriving centres. A great many are old coal-mining towns such as Anthracite, Bankhead, Nacmine and Cadomin. Others like Bezanson City were abandoned because the railway never made it to the community or because of drought like Travers or Grantham.

Ghost towns appeal to me because I imagine what life was like when these towns were bustling and busy places. The bigger draw is the chance to photograph the remaining buildings without pesky people getting in the way.

Some ghost towns have restored or maintained many buildings and open their doors to the public. In Rowley, tourists can visit the Railway Museum, Prairie School Museum, Sam’s Saloon, Bank, and Pool Hall and in Wayne, visitors can still have a drink in the hotel’s Last Chance Saloon.

So this year, overcome your fears and explore Alberta’s ghost towns.