There are countless abandoned places in Washington. Some are more creepy, and home to numerous haunted legends. Others are fascinating simply because they’re hidden behind nature. Check out these ten abandoned buildings in Washington state that are slowly being reclaimed by the Earth:
1. An abandoned motel and gas station just outside of the Grand Coulee area.
This vintage service station may not pump your gas anymore, but it's definitely an interesting sight to see near Hartline.
2. These steps were captured at an abandoned missile site on Cougar Mountain.
From this perspective, you can see the steps leading from the administration section of the base all the way up to the radar section.
3. The Cowlitz Motel and RV Park has been empty for years.
This abandoned resort can be found just off I-5 between Toledo and Vader. Besides a great camping spot, they used to offer golf, whitewater paddling, fishing, swimming, and plenty of other spectacular amenities.
4. Gravity seems to be slowly reclaiming this grain elevator by the Palouse.
As seen near Pullman (2012).
5. Here's a remaining structure from the Northern State Mental Hospital.
A few of the buildings here are still in use as Job Corps facilities, but there are still a number of unoccupied structures that stand. This is definitely one of the coolest and most unexpected abandoned places in Washington! You can head out and explore this deteriorating (and haunted) recreation area if you dare in Sedro-Woolley.
6. The remains of an old schoolhouse in the ghost town of Melmont.
The building originally had three stories, but the top two were taken down so the wood could be used for construction elsewhere. If you're up for an adventurous hike, you can find this abandoned place in the Mount Rainier area.
7. This old, forgotten hay barn was seen along the side of a dirt road in rural Eastern Washington.
Wonder if it will ever be reconstructed?
8. A structure near an abandoned limestone mine, engulfed by trees and moss.
Captured above the Lower Baker Dam near Concrete, WA.
9. The remains of an old "Homestead Locaters" office in Molson.
These "Homestead Locater" offices were built to help house the excessive amount of immigrants who moved to the area in the late 1890s-1910s.
10. In the ghost town of Nighthawk, you can find the Ruby Mine & Mill reclaimed by trees and branches.
While it is empty, most of this previous facility is still incredibly intact - just hidden beneath the surrounding nature. The building is located right up against the mountain whose ore it once processed before abandonment.
These abandoned places in Washington are pretty spectacular, but they're only a few of the unique pieces of history hiding in our state. There's so much to discover here!
Have you seen any abandoned mansions in Washington State being reclaimed by nature? Let us know in the comments! And for more abandoned Washington State goodness, check out this unique hike to some modern ruins in Granite Falls, WA.
If you're searching for more ways to discover Washington State, Airbnb Experiences is a fantastic resource.
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