This Entire Neighborhood In South Dakota Was Mysteriously Abandoned And Nobody Knows Why

Once upon a time, South Dakota was a mecca for not only early exploration but mining and railroads as well. Sadly, as these industries dwindled, so did several of the once-thriving towns, leaving behind deserted buildings and an eerie presence that never quite went away. While saying that nobody knows why this one community, in particular, was abandoned may be a bit of an exaggeration, how such a booming place could diminish so quickly and dramatically is one of the many mysteries in South Dakota. Ardmore is truly one of the creepy places in South Dakota.

Nestled away in Fall River County is the unincorporated community of Ardmore, which was at one time a prospering town that was visited by the likes of President Calvin Coolidge.

Founded in 1889 by European-American settlers, Ardmore was once an important hub for the Burlington Railroad, and also served local farmers and their families via grocery stores, churches, and banks. This place is full of South Dakota history.

While the rest of the country fell on hard times during the Great Depression, Ardmore continued to prosper, with reports that not one family in the area applied for any kind of welfare.

Historically, drinking water was scarce for the town, so trains would haul in clean water until the mid-20th century, which is when Ardmore began to see its first decline in population.

By the early 2000s, Ardmore was deemed a ghost town, housing the remnants of a happier and more robust time.

While ghost towns are a tale as old as time, Ardmore is different, as its former residents have seemingly left many of their belongings in their (still) locked homes, and their old cars in the driveways.

The remnants of Ardmore can be found 35 miles south of Hot Springs along Highway 71.

Discover another incredible abandoned South Dakota ghost town by clicking This Urban South Dakota Ghost Town Will Take You A Thousand Miles Away From It All.