Deeth To Metropolis Ghost Town ~ Nevada

There are many ways to get to Metropolis Ghost Town and one of the most interesting pathways begins at the Interstate Highway 80 exit ramp at Deeth. When opting for the Deeth to Metroplis touring route, a visitor can experience two ghost towns for the price of one. Plenty of Great Basin sagebrush country can be seen along the way and the wildlife abounds, so this is a nice tour for those who pack a good camera to bring the memories home.

Deeth actually is a living ghost town from the homesteading era and there is a very small population, so private property laws must be obeyed. Many of the old ranch buildings are remnants of the old wild west and most are in fair condition. What few people realize is the west was indeed still a very wild and unforgiving place way up into the 1940s, so the original inhabitants never really had it easy. Brutally cold snowy winters and boiling hot summer desert temperatures certainly have weathered what remains of Deeth, which is perfect for capturing dramatic photo compositions. 

The dirt roads from Deeth to Metropolis are smooth enough for an average passenger car, but a high ground clearance vehicle is a better choice. The roads meander through ranch and farm territory, so a good map or GPS system will be needed to prevent getting lost. There are few landmarks to be seen in this part of the Great Basin Desert and a visitor will not see any signs of Metropolis in the distance, until arriving at the main street area. Metropolis definitely is a hidden gem awaiting to be discovered, so the long bumpy ride will be well worth it. 

Way back in the 1920s, Metropolis began as a homesteading farm community that was designed to be a central hub in this region. Wall Street was going big and the Art Deco era was in full swing at this time, so initiating a stylish city way out in the middle of nowhere fit in with the utopian dream. The investment company constructed a bank, modern motel, railroad depot and several other infrastructural building projects. Everything looked rosy and the sweet smell of success was within easy grasp, but there was one failing point that would lead to the demise of this unique little city. The development company neglected to land water rights, which meant Metropolis was doomed from the start.

Very little remains of the original Metropolis Ghost Town and the concrete foundation structures are in a dangerous state of decay. The most famous intact feature is the towering brick and mortar arch entrance to the old Lincoln Schoolhouse. The remains of a few other structures remain, but overall, Metropolis is now basically just a rubble pile. A memorial area and a cemetery can be found on the grounds too, which makes this little ghost town a unique place to visit during October, when the Halloween spookiness goes full swing. Best of all, the Lincoln School Archway certainly is appealing eye candy for photographers and many flock to this speck on a map to do star trail compositions. Metropolis simply must be experienced when touring the Great Basin Desert, so be sure to check it out when passing through!
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