Some towns survive because of luck. Others survive because residents refused to let them disappear. These communities came remarkably close to fading away before finding an unexpected second life.
1. Jerome, Arizona Became a Ghost Town Before Artists Moved In
After the mining industry collapsed, Jerome’s population fell from around 15,000 people to fewer than 100 residents. Today, it has reinvented itself as an arts and tourism destination.
2. Marfa, Texas Found New Life Through Art
This small West Texas town was shrinking for decades before artists and galleries began moving in during the 1970s. Today, visitors travel from around the world to see its unique creative scene.
3. Galena, Alaska Was Nearly Abandoned After Military Closures
When military operations scaled back, the local economy suffered heavily. The community survived by adapting and developing new industries and services.
4. Silverton, Colorado Survived the End of Mining
Like many mountain towns in the American West, Silverton struggled after mining jobs disappeared. Tourism and outdoor recreation eventually helped stabilize the local economy.
5. Deadwood, South Dakota Refused to Become History
After the gold rush faded, many expected Deadwood to disappear. Instead, historic preservation and tourism transformed the old mining town into a major destination.
6. Bisbee, Arizona Reinvented Itself After Copper Mining Declined
When the mines closed, Bisbee faced an uncertain future. Artists, retirees, and entrepreneurs slowly helped rebuild the town’s economy and identity.
7. Greenville, South Carolina Rebuilt Its Downtown
By the 1970s, much of downtown Greenville was struggling. Large-scale redevelopment projects and investments in public spaces helped turn it into one of America’s most successful downtown revitalization stories.
