23 Forgotten American Towns You’ll Always Remember

8. Seward, NE: The World’s Largest Time Capsule

There is the largest time capsule in the world that you can find in a town right here in Nebraska! Yes, yes we have a 45-ton vault of memories from Seward, stuffed full with memories from 1975. It was a time capsule made by a guy called Harold Davisson (the guy seemed to like that year). The building houses thousands of objects including a 1970s car, all preserved under a giant pyramid. Pretty cool, huh? There is just a vault of history that will be unlocked for future generations.

But Seward didn’t make a name for itself only because of its time capsule. With a population of around 7,000, this small town is also dubbed as “America’s Fourth of July City.” Each year they host an amazing celebration which attracts more than 40,000 visitors! It is not hard to imagine a little town with all those people for a big fireworks show and day of celebration. That seems like an ideal place to spend the 4th of July.

Maybe one day when you are passing through Nebraska, you might want to see the time capsule and find out why Seward has such a huge Fourth of July celebration. You are only standing in front of a literally grand vault full of history for several decades, and who could resist one of the best annual small-town celebrations on both American continents?

9. Scottsboro, AL: Discover Treasures in Lost Luggage

Have you ever wondered where they end up after all that unexpected baggage? Well, it could come to Scottsboro, Alabama. This odd little town is the final resting place of unclaimed baggage from airlines, and yes, you can check it out (literally) with a bid on blissfully evasive bag tons – unseen! As cliché as it sounds, it is really too good to be true. Why? Because a lot of travelers simply never bother claiming their property.

Or you end up taking home a suitcase full of clothes, or perhaps something worse. It is home to the finest museum (though not all of the rarest finds can be seen here) to behold some of the amazing trinkets from an F-16 fighter jet gyro, paintings and even a shard of Egyptian origins.

But why is it cheap to visit? To get in the game, meanwhile, costs little and bidding for luggage can be an inexpensive roll of the dice. Just think, capturing a slice of history for very little. Curious? Are you feeling lucky and feel like looking for a hidden treasure?

10. Colma, CA: A Town of 2 Million Graves

Ever heard of a town where the dead outnumber the living by a huge margin? That’s Colma, California, which has earned the nickname “City of Souls” for a good reason. While there are only about 1,200 people living in Colma today, the town is home to around 2 million burials and boasts 17 cemeteries. Pretty wild, right? Back in the 1880s, when San Francisco ran out of space for burial plots, they started sending their deceased to Colma, giving this tiny two-square-mile town more graves than people.

If you’re into history, Colma has some notable graves to visit, including those of Wild West lawman Wyatt Earp, iconic clothing designer Levi Strauss, and media mogul William Randolph Hearst. Imagine strolling through a town with so much history where some of the most famous figures in American history are resting. Wouldn’t it be fascinating to visit their final resting places?

Colma might seem unusual, but it’s also a peaceful, historical spot that tells a unique story of life, death, and legacy. Would you ever think about visiting a town where the residents are mostly ghosts? It’s definitely not your average travel destination!

11. Alma, AR: Formerly the Spinach Capital of the World

Did you know that Alma, Arkansas was the spinach capital of the world? It’s true! Well back in the day this little town had a canning factory that canned like 65% of the worlds spinach. Pretty impressive, right? Although now the spinach empire is not so powerful, Alma still rejoices of its leafy past. Both a Popeye statue and water tower are nearby he was, after all, the original spinach-loving sailor man.

Alma has an annual spinach fest, and you can really get into that here. Or you can eat spinich just like popeye entered spinich eating competition. What looks like a fun, nerdy Pocono tradition isn’t all this town has going on. There’s also bull riding, rock climbing, and a petting zoo you’ll have to take the kids to if you’re in search of classic small-town exuberation.

Alma has more than just its spinach claim to fame if you’re ever in the area. It has a waterpark where you can chill in and take sometimes trip through several museums. Or how about visiting a city that played host to half of the worlds spinich supply? Alma has a fun little piece of history, and some adventure to boot. Do you feel like getting a lil bit Popeye?

12. Monowi, NE: The Last Man on Earth Town

Have you ever imagined what life would be like if you lived in a town with one other person? This is Monowi, Nebraska: the town with one woman running it all Elsie Eiler. Monowi used to have some 150 inhabitants back in the 1930s, but people moved away looking for work over time and finally it was only Elsie left there. Though she was now the last resident of the town when her husband died in 2004 that would not stop this woman from making things work.

Elsie not only resides in this town, but effectively serves as its mayor, librarian, and tavern-keeper too. She even gives herself a salary every year in order to keep it legit! How many other places can you go where the mayor can serve you a drink and talk to you like your best buddy? If you are ever cruising through Nebraska you should definitely stop by Monowi if for no other reason to see what everyday life is like in the smallest town in America.

Try to imagine, only hanging out by yourself in all of town but still making it a community. For ages, Elsie has been doing this; who really knows how long Monowi will continue. It might be that moment for you to experience living breathing quirky small-town America before it disappears. Like, how fun to get a drink with the town of one mayor?

13. Adams, TN: Bell Witch Cave

Now, Adams, Tennessee would appear to be a normal small town in America and even more so as today it is best known for the Bell Witch Cave. Ever heard of the Bell Witch? The tale dates back to the early 1800s when a woman by the name of Kate Batts had a dispute with the Bell family concerning a land transaction. Others will claim that she had put a curse upon them and after her demise, the Bell family began to witness weird haunting occurrences at their house like ghostly sights as well sounds. Sounds creepy, right?

The local Bell Witch legend did not remain local for long. For decades, it made its way cross-country and developed into one of the biggest ghost stories in the U.S. The hauntings were so fierce that former President Andrew Jackson reportedly experienced the ghost upon his visit to the area. Imagine that a ghost scared the president of the USA?

And if you want to scratch your itch for ghost stories, or some freaky history, definitely go visit Bell Witch Cave. Do you believe in ghosts? Would You, Want To go in the cave of The Bell Witch. Feel the chill of the past on which you visit!

14. Tangier, VA: The Island Last with an American Accent

Wondering how early American English sounds? You might catch a morsel of it on Tangier Island, Va., where the natives speak with one of the most unique accents in this country. Located in the Chesapeake Bay, this remote island has residents who sound more English than American. The accent of the lady in the film has even been analyzed by linguists, and deemed to be a long-ago version of American English, not unlike how you might picture the first colonists from 1620 or possibly even the Founding Fathers. Pretty cool, right?

But the problem is, like many small towns, young people are leaving Tangier Island for better opportunities and there is a fear that the unique accents will gradually disappear. After all, would it be a shame to see a rare artefact like this piece of history lost? If you’ve ever wanted to listen to some genuine American old-school ears, or you simply want a taste of life on an unspoiled island, Tangier could be interesting to things about.

Imagine spending a weekend in a place where the language still echoes the past. How often do you get to visit a town that feels like stepping back in time? If you’re looking for a unique vacation spot, why not make Tangier Island your next getaway? You might just get to hear an accent that’s slowly disappearing—and that’s something you don’t come across every day.

15. Miracle Village, Florida: The Great Refuge for Ex-offenders

Not Your Average Small Town Story Founded by a minister called Richard Witherow, it was more of a community and not so much a town-zoned place. This village had been specifically built for registered sex offenders coming out of prison to have a place to live. Similar to many states, Florida has strict laws preventing sex offenders from living around schools, parks, bus stops and other places where children congregate. Miracle Village is one of the very few places these people can legally live, and about half its residents are registered offenders.

This village has a noble concept providing one more opportunity to a few who could otherwise have nowhere to call home. Yet how do the locals perceive it? But controversial or not, most people who live there will tell you it is a fairly quiet community. To some who will never know your pasts, can you picture living in a place where they only need to deny it on trying but instead aim for the bigger picture of peace?

How do you feel about a place like Miracle Village? A place where justice, redemption and the dilemmas of those who are simply trying to make a fresh start raises many questions. Would you like to live a town where second chances were given — to everyone, regardless of their past?

16. Whittier, AK: A Town Under One Roof

Imagine a town where everyone lives in the same building. Sounds wild, right? Well, that’s exactly what you’ll find in Whittier, Alaska. The entire town resides in a single 14-story cinderblock building that was originally an army barracks. Located at the foot of mountains and on the shores of Prince William Sound, Whittier deals with some serious winter weather. But no matter how harsh the conditions, everyone gathers in one place, where you’ll find a church, a police station, a small clinic, and even an inn—all inside the same building!

Getting to Whittier isn’t as easy as driving through a typical town. There’s a small tunnel leading into the town, but it often closes for long stretches due to weather, so many visitors opt for a boat ride instead. Wouldn’t it be cool to take a scenic boat trip to a place where everyone lives under one roof? Imagine stepping off the boat and walking straight into a place where life revolves around that single towering structure.

If you do make the trip, the inn is known for having some of the best interior decor in the entire building. Apparently, it even comes with binoculars for guests, so you can take in the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and sound. What would it be like to stay in a place where everyone knows each other, and you’re all tucked away from the rest of the world? Would you be up for visiting such a unique little town?