Walk into 1923 at the Pioneer Museum in Chloride New Mexico
New Mexico is full of hidden gems, like the Pioneer Museum in the very small (population 10) ghost town of Chloride, New Mexico. When the store went out of business in 1923, it was sealed off, and essentially became a time capsule for the period. All the shelves are just like they were that last day it was open in 1923. The current owner gives a fascinating history of both the contents of the store and its former owners. Chloride is not exactly on the beaten path, but what hidden gem is? If you are visiting Truth of Consequences, this is a great day trip to make as the roads leading out there are great for driving as well. Have you been here?
Read MoreGhost Town becomes a Cemetery in Dawson New Mexico
There are very remote places in New Mexico, and there are very small towns in New Mexico, many of which I have featured here on Jason Collin Photography. However, when you have a town miles from anywhere, that requires you to then drive miles down a dirt road, and the only thing in your ghost town is a cemetery full of victims for tragic mining accidents, it is hard to get more remote than that! Such is Dawson, New Mexico, a ghost town with a historic cemetery and that it all. Though remote, It is worth making the drive to if you are in nearby Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, or Cimarron. With various types of graves, tombstones, and historical information, I was surprised to find something like this at the end of the road. Read more about this ghost town on Atlas Obscura and check out the map below to visit this place for yourself!
Read MoreErie Street lives in the past and present
Not quite a ghost town, not quite totally forgotten, but Lowell, Arizona is certainly in the past. Walking down its main street (and only street), Erie Street, you pass storefronts full of dust covered merchandise, classic cars, a Greyhound bus waiting for no one, pool halls, and a gas station that is not exactly full service anymore, even if you were willing to pay more than 22 cents per gallon! This place fascinated me. In front of the Greyhound bus I just sat right on the sidewalk for 20 minutes trying to listen to the stories coming through the cracks of the sidewalks, the walls, the signs.
Read MoreWhen I heard of this ghost town near Hillsboro, New Mexico I was quite excited. Exploring haikyo in Japan (and even here in the U.S.) was the source of some of my greatest adventures. All of these past places were just forgotten and open for exploring. Lake Valley Ghost Town, however, had an admission gate and a museum! Despite this it was still interesting to see an old safe lying open in the desert, wagon wheels leaning against fences, and to listen for old voices. It was useful having actual signs describing what each place was in a past life, even if it took a lot of mystery and imagination away.
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