Missouri, a state more commonly known for its large farms and energetic cities, has a secret past that is whispered via its abandoned ghost towns.
These hauntingly silent vestiges of earlier times serve as painful memories of the past despite once being brimming with life. We’ll explore The Haunting Truth Behind These 4 Missouri Abandoned Ghost Towns in this article.
We’ll delve into the intriguing tales of their ascent and decline, the unsolved mysteries surrounding them, and the chilling reports of ghostly activity.
Get ready for a terrifying tour into the abandoned ghost towns of Missouri, where the paranormal and history collide.
Times Beach
Times Beach was once located on what is now Route 66 State Park. Times Beach was a well-liked resort town in its prime, starting in 1926, when many Missourians came to escape the hustle and bustle of St. Louis.
The town prospered for the most part until the 1980s, when it was discovered that waste oil on the town’s streets contained a chemical that causes cancer.
Because of the alarmingly high dioxin levels, the town was evacuated in order to do a thorough clean-up. Route 66 State Park was created on the site rather than Times Beach being populated again.
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Red Oak
It may be said, depending on who you speak with, that Red Oak II is not a ghost town. While some do, others do not think of it as one. Whichever camp you’re in, you should absolutely schedule a trip to Red Oak II, which doubles as a living museum.
In 1970, the settlement was abandoned. Red Oak II was created in the abandoned town by artist and former resident Lowell Davis in the late 1980s.
The charming houses are inhabited by residents, and you can even tour a historic prison. Learn more about this Missouri ghost town, if that’s what you want to call it. It makes for an ideal day trip destination.
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Arlington
Arlington, a village on the Missouri River, was a popular getaway destination for Missourians seeking solitude. The community prospered before Route 66 was created and eventually expanded after it was founded in 1867.
With the construction of Interstate 44 in the 1950s, which diverted traffic away from the town, the town started a slow but steady decline.
That endured for decades, though, with the final company closing its doors in 2008. Today, the town is mostly abandoned except for a small number of residents.
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Garber
The ghost town of Garber is largely gone; in fact, the Ruth & Paul Henning Conservation Park near Branson currently occupies much of its former site. The Garber family founded the town in 1895, and it prospered through the 1920s.
Sadly, an arsonist destroyed both the general store and post office by setting them on fire in the later half of the decade. The town was never able to bounce back, but among the few structures still standing is a stone church that was converted into a post office.
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To Conclude
Ghost towns that have been abandoned in Missouri are eerie reminders of time passing. Every town has a distinct story to tell, from the beautiful vacation destination of Times Beach—devastated by natural disasters—to the developing creative center of Red Oak II.
These ghost towns, whether filled with ghost stories or historical intrigue, provide a window into a different period.
Enter the shadows of Missouri’s abandoned villages, if you’re courageous enough, and uncover the terrifying truths that await you there.
