Okaton
Okaton is a small town in Jones county that is right off interstate I -90 at MM 183. Although noted that residents still live there, the town appears to be a ghost town with lots of abandoned houses.
Okaton was founded in 1906 as a place where the workers from the nearby railroad lived, and also homesteaders. The railroad closed down in 1980 and due to the closure, the long harsh winters and earlier Depression, many people left over time. At one point a family moved in and tried to make the town a ghost town attraction called Westlake Ghost Town and for a while it worked. When the owners left, the town once again became a real ghost town.
There are plenty of abandoned homes and businesses on site making this a really neat place to photograph. Be aware there are signs asking you not to trespass at some of the homes, and many of the homes are in really bad shape, so use caution.
This is the first house you come to right off the interstate.
Nothing but prairie.
This is pretty much the town.
What is left of the attempt to make this a tourist attraction - ghost town.
This house just fascinates me.
Interesting in every way - There is a no trespass sign, so this is as close as you can get though.
A year later- house fell down some.
Road right off the interstate goes right to the town.
Old outhouse?
