Explore An Old Oregon Ghost Town At Golden State Heritage Site
By Catherine Armstrong|Published June 19, 2020
×
Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Oregon’s ghost towns are fascinating places that take us back in time. Long ago, people built their homes, churches, and schools in these towns, and were full of hope and anticipation for the future. While those folks eventually moved on to pursue other dreams, the abandoned buildings will tell their own stories, if you’re ready to listen.
You can visit the little ghost town of Golden at the Golden State Heritage Site in Josephine County, and it has a compelling history.
You'll find the Golden State Heritage Site 23 miles north of Grants Pass. Oregon Parks & Recreation purchased the land in 2002, and it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places that year, too.
The town of Golden was founded in 1890, during the gold rush. People flocked to the area around Coyote Creek when gold was found, and quickly set up their claims.
...or attending one of the two churches in town. Golden was a unique gold miners town in that it didn't have a single saloon. The members of the Ruble Family, who established the town, were strict Campbellites, and drinking was not allowed.
When the gold dried up, people began to move away. By 1920, the post office was closed, and most folks had found new dreams to pursue. The town was completely abandoned by the mid-1900s.
Today, visitors to the Golden State Heritage Site can wander through the little town to see its remaining buildings, which include the mercantile, one of the churches, a home and a barn.
You'll find a few old headstones here, but there aren't any graves. An episode of the TV show Gunsmoke was filmed in Golden, and the headstones were placed here as props and never removed.
You'll also find a marker for Webster Martin Ruble, who was born in Golden in 1900. He's actually buried in Washington, but his son moved this memorial plaque from his grave and placed it here.
It's free to visit the Golden Heritage Site. In addition to the old buildings, there's a kiosk with information about the town's history, a few picnic tables, and some portable restrooms.
Have you explored the little ghost town of Golden? Tell us about your adventure in the comments, and tag the people you want to take with you next time!
Learn more about Golden State Heritage Site on the Ogden State Parks website.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
