The Incredible Town In Washington That Has Been Left In Ruins
By Andrea Verschuyl|Published April 26, 2024
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Andrea Verschuyl
Author
Having grown up in Washington, Andrea is a self-admitted Pacific Northwest snob. In their opinion, there's simply nowhere else in the country with the Evergreen State's beauty. After attending university, Andrea devoted themselves to writing full-time. They're thrilled to represent Washington for Only In Your State while pursuing other professional and personal projects. They currently reside in Olympia, where they enjoy leaf-blowing their yard, perfecting homemade ramen, cuddling with their three tiny dogs, and feeding their pufferfish, Sea Biscuit.
Are you an Evergreen State history buff? This abandoned town in Washington belongs on your bucket list. Known as one of the state’s best-preserved ghost towns, Molson, located 15 miles east of Oroville, is now an open-air museum, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the rural community, which feels frozen in time.
Local businessmen George B. Meacham and John W. Molson founded Molson in 1900 after miners discovered gold ore nearby. The new town's population swelled to 300 residents in just one year, necessitating rapid expansion. However, the supply of gold was outstripped by this development's cost, causing the town's financial backer to withdraw its support.
The resulting fallout was severe, and in 1901, only a dozen people remained in Molson. Still, these residents had reason to be hopeful. In 1905, the Great Northern Railway connected the small community to the rest of the world, fueling another period of growth that proved more sustainable than the town's gold rush.
Small-town squabbles shaped Molson's subsequent history. As the community blossomed, tensions brewed between Molsonites and the town site's owner, J.H. McDonald. In a bizarre twist, Molson residents eventually decided their only recourse was to relocate the entire town to the opposite side of the railroad in 1909, calling this emancipated version of their old home "New Molson."
As the years passed, the old rift subsided, and the two sides of Molson reconvened as a single town. Molson would remain in good health until the 30s, but the Great Depression brought this happy period to a decisive close.
The economic collapse of the 30s would relegate Molson to history. Still, it took 30 years for the community to become the ghost town that stands today.
The school, for instance, served the surrounding area for decades, only shuttering its doors in 1969. The building— which remained remarkably untouched— is now one of Molson Museum's most fascinating sites, allowing visitors to experience a classroom that last operated over half a century ago.
Today, Molson is a popular attraction for history buffs and photographers, who find endless inspiration in the abandoned community's rugged scenery and stern little buildings.
No abandoned town in Washington is as perfectly preserved as Molson. Strolling along its streets and peeking into its dilapidated buildings gives visitors an evocative insight into our state’s past. If you’re visiting nearby Oroville or are planning a summer road trip, I highly recommend exploring this unique attraction.
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