Imagine stepping back in time to an era before modern technology. Picture yourself meandering down a dirt road in an old mining town where there are no cell phones, no big-screen TVs, and no modern automobiles. There’s nary a sound but your own footsteps echoing on boardwalks, conjuring up thoughts of what life might have been like in the early 1900s. Such a place exists in the form of a tiny ghost town in Oroville, Washington, and this is one historic destination you don’t want to miss.
The Old Molson Historic Site is actually an outdoor museum where you can take a self-guided tour and see what life as an early settler was like in Okanogan County.
Jpgolf14, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Molson was founded by George B. Meacham and John W. Molson of Canada’s Molson Beer Family.
Amanda S/Flickr For the first year, Molson was a booming mining town and quickly grew to a population of 300. The tiny town housed general stores, a schoolhouse, a saloon, a hotel, as well as its own doctor and attorney. By 1901 however, the once booming mining business had declined and people moved on in search of their fortune elsewhere, leaving Molson’s population to fall to just 13.
Between 1905-1906, the Great Northern Railroad moved into Molson, bringing with it new settlers, railroad workers, and renewed prosperity.
Jimmy Everson, DVM/Flickr
John W. Molson neglected to register the title to the land on which Molson was founded, an ill-fated oversight that would have a disastrous impact on the town and its residents.
George Wesley and Bonita Dannell/Flickr A man by the name of MacDonald saw an opportunity and registered his name on the Molson land and ordered all occupants off of “his” property.
A half mile down the road, former residents and businesses established a new Molson.
SarahJ100100/Flickr A long-standing conflict ensued over which land would be called the official town of Molson. It is said that the Old Molson Post Office was actually stolen, and the bank was physically moved from the old Molson lot to a site in New Molson.
By 1935, the gold ore supply ran out and residents moved to new towns seeking employment.
Amanda S/Trip Advisor
Today, many of Old Molson’s buildings remain, a testament to perseverance and determination.
Amanda S/Flickr
The town stands as a walk-through history museum with volunteers on hand to answer questions about the town’s heritage and its early settlers.
George Wesley and Bonita Dannell/Flickr
If you’re traveling through Oroville, The Old Molson Ghost Town Museum is a must-see.
Amanda S/Flickr
Old Molson is a glimpse of the past that’s worth the drive. Be sure to check out these other historic Washington ghost towns.
Jpgolf14, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Amanda S/Flickr
For the first year, Molson was a booming mining town and quickly grew to a population of 300. The tiny town housed general stores, a schoolhouse, a saloon, a hotel, as well as its own doctor and attorney. By 1901 however, the once booming mining business had declined and people moved on in search of their fortune elsewhere, leaving Molson’s population to fall to just 13.
Jimmy Everson, DVM/Flickr
George Wesley and Bonita Dannell/Flickr
A man by the name of MacDonald saw an opportunity and registered his name on the Molson land and ordered all occupants off of “his” property.
SarahJ100100/Flickr
A long-standing conflict ensued over which land would be called the official town of Molson. It is said that the Old Molson Post Office was actually stolen, and the bank was physically moved from the old Molson lot to a site in New Molson.
Amanda S/Trip Advisor
Have you visited the Old Molson Ghost Town Museum? What did you think? Let us know in the comments.
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Address: Old Molson Historic Site, Pioneer Rd, Oroville, WA 98844, USA
