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dperez
5-Feb-2015, 18:14
Hey fellow LFers,

I’ve assembled a pretty extensive list of ghost towns & historic places in the form of a Google Earth file using publicly available information (various ghost town websites, USGS Geographic Names Information System - GNIS, books, and my own gps data).

The list is arranged by state, and is comprehensive, but not by any means is it a complete list. In fact, I’m still adding to it from time to time when I get a chance to work on it. Also, there are many locations that are not included; especially if there is nothing left to photograph (I assembled this list for photographic purposes only).

This kml file (or selected waypoints within it) can be converted to a gpx file for use with a GPS device using an application (such as Garmin's Basecamp) or the free utility GPSBabel (http://www.gpsbabel.org/).

Here's the file: https://www.dropbox.com/s/le57t9qb2qg6ver/US%20Ghost%20Towns%20%26%20Historical%20Places%202-5-15.kml?dl=0
For those not familiar with using Google Earth see my quick guide: https://www.dropbox.com/s/znrrpdwbu3z08wb/Google%20Earth%20Mini-Guide.pdf?dl=0

The link is to a file hosted on my personal dropbox. Kml is a Google Earth extension. You'll need Google Earth to open the file, which is free to download. It took me two years off and on to prepare this file, so there are no alternative sources. I’ve posted kml and kmz files in this forum before HERE (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?114400-National-Register-of-Historic-Places&p=1146538#post1146538)and HERE (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?114273-Waterfalls-Anyone&p=1145431#post1145431).


Enjoy,

-Daniel
Drew Wiley
6-Feb-2015, 09:58
Did you include Detroit?
dperez
6-Feb-2015, 10:53
Did you include Detroit?

I've got Grand Central Station in there... But no, I have not done any research into the abandoned factories/homes yet, but I will get around to it.

-Dan
djdister
6-Feb-2015, 12:04
I downloaded the KML file and cruised around places I've been to around Maryland - you've pulled together a tremendous listing of places -- well done!
Sirius Glass
6-Feb-2015, 12:16
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodie,_California
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=509

The park is northeast of Yosemite, 13 miles east of Highway 395 on Bodie Road (Hwy 270), seven miles south of Bridgeport.

From U.S. 395 seven miles south of Bridgeport, take State Route 270. Go east 10 miles to the end of the pavement and continue 3 miles on a dirt road to Bodie. The last 3 miles can at times be rough. Reduced speeds are necessary. Call the park if there are any questions about road conditions.
SergeiR
6-Feb-2015, 12:34
nope. Wont load into google maps within FireFox
djdister
6-Feb-2015, 12:41
nope. Wont load into google maps within FireFox

Have to use Google Earth...
Richard Rankin
6-Feb-2015, 13:49
I've never used Google earth, but will give it a try. I'm curious as to what you might have found in Missouri (other than snow...)
bobwysiwyg
6-Feb-2015, 14:53
Did you include Detroit?

Despite media hype, Detroit is not a ghost town.
Old-N-Feeble
6-Feb-2015, 18:12
I have Google Earth installed but don't know how to deal with that file. :(
djdister
6-Feb-2015, 19:11
I have Google Earth installed but don't know how to deal with that file. :(

Basically all you do is open the KML file while in Google Earth. Opening a file is different depending on which platform you are on - Windows, Mac, Android, etc. The Help file in Google Earth will tell you how to open a KML file.
Sirius Glass
6-Feb-2015, 21:26
Bodie, CA
Bodie is a Populated Place in Mono County, California. It has an elevation of 2,554 meters, or 8,379 feet.

Degrees Minutes Seconds:
Latitude: 38-12'44'' N
Longitude: 119-00'44'' W

Decimal Degrees:
Latitude: 38.2121401
Longitude: -119.0120874

http://www.lat-long.com/Latitude-Longitude-1658094-California-Bodie.html
dperez
11-Feb-2015, 10:00
I've never used Google earth, but will give it a try. I'm curious as to what you might have found in Missouri (other than snow...)

There's actually plenty of sites in Missouri... See the screen shot below.

-Daniel

129157
dperez
11-Feb-2015, 10:07
Bodie, CA
Bodie is a Populated Place in Mono County, California. It has an elevation of 2,554 meters, or 8,379 feet.

Degrees Minutes Seconds:
Latitude: 38-12'44'' N
Longitude: 119-00'44'' W

Decimal Degrees:
Latitude: 38.2121401
Longitude: -119.0120874

http://www.lat-long.com/Latitude-Longitude-1658094-California-Bodie.html

Of course I have Bodie, CA in the Google Earth file, as well as many of the surrounding towns that supported Bodie back in the day. There's also a Bodie, WA--which is also a Ghost Town.

-DP
Leszek Vogt
11-Feb-2015, 16:27
Daniel, do you have Grafton, UT ? Interesting place. I believe last time someone lived there was in the 1940's.

Les
dperez
11-Feb-2015, 21:43
Daniel, do you have Grafton, UT ? Interesting place. I believe last time someone lived there was in the 1940's.

Les

Yes, I do have Grafton listed. I've been there a couple of times myself, just outside of Zion National Park.

-DP
vinny
12-Feb-2015, 06:54
Why don't you guys read the documents the op has provided before suggesting sites they have already included?

The Dept of redundancy called
djdister
12-Feb-2015, 15:02
Why don't you guys read the documents the op has provided before suggesting sites they have already included?

The Dept of redundancy called

It's the Department of Redundancy Department, and their motto is "Please knock twice please."