Creepiest, Coolest Ghost Towns in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota
This is the time of year we seem to gravitate toward things that are a bit on the spooky side and what better way to tap into that creepy vibe than by scoping out a ghost town?
There is no shortage of places to visit in our area, with seven different South Dakota towns sporting populations in the single digits.
But the Mount Rushmore State isn't the only place in America with an abundance of ghost towns.
Thrillist is out with their list of the 'Creepiest, Coolest Ghost Towns In Every State'.
Their pick for South Dakota is the tiny Black Hills town of Mystic.
It was founded in 1876 as a gold mining camp and later thrived as a railroad town. It was even the site of a visit from President Calvin Coolidge in 1927.
Now, Mystic's official population is zero, but it did earn a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
Thrillist's pick for Iowa is Gitchie Manitou State Preserve.
The 91-acre park sits on the east bank of the Big Sioux River in Lyon County, just across the South Dakota border.
In 1916, the state of Iowa purchased the land for use as a quarry, but later transferred the area to the Board of Conservation. The area was initially classified as a state park, and later a 'preserve.' It was formally dedicated as a geological, archaeological, historical, and biological preserve in 1969.
The park's haunted reputation dates back to 1973 when three brothers killed four teenagers before being sentenced to life in prison.
In Minnesota, the southeastern town of Forestville (population 356) is Thrillist's selection for the North Star State.
This Fillmore County township once was home to hotels, shops, and a couple of mills but saw its population dwindle after the railroad bypassed the town in 1868.
It is now a state park with a farm, bridge, general store, and the 13-mile Mystery Cave, the longest-known cave in Minnesota.
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