Jason Smith releases ghost town guide covering abandoned communities nationwide

By AI, Created 4:32 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – US Marine veteran and ghost town researcher Jason “Smitty” Smith has released a new guide to abandoned settlements, mining camps and forgotten communities across the United States. The book blends history and travel information for readers interested in exploration, photography and lesser-known destinations.

Why it matters: - The book gives readers a single guide to abandoned places that helped shape mining, railroad and frontier development across the U.S. - The guide also turns historical research into usable travel information for visitors, road-trippers and photographers. - Smith’s project adds visibility to communities that are often absent from mainstream history coverage.

What happened: - Jason “Smitty” Smith released Ghost Towns Across America Guide Vol 1: Abandoned Settlements, Mining Camps, and Forgotten Communities through United States Ghost Towns. - The book is available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback editions. - More information about the author’s ghost town exploration work is available at the author’s ghost town books page.

The details: - The guide covers ghost towns and abandoned communities in Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, California, Texas, Alaska, Montana, Utah, Pennsylvania, Missouri and other states. - Each entry includes historical background, what remains at the site today, directions for travelers, and details on the settlement’s rise and decline. - The book includes abandoned mining camps, railroad communities, cemeteries and weathered buildings. - The writing combines storytelling with practical visitor information. - Smith says the goal is to help readers understand the history of these places while encouraging respectful exploration and appreciation for former residents.

Between the lines: - The release taps into demand for niche travel content that mixes history, photography and off-the-beaten-path discovery. - Smith’s background in treasure hunting and metal detecting gives the project a field-research angle that differentiates it from a standard history book. - United States Ghost Towns says it documents more than 3,800 abandoned communities, giving the book a foundation in a larger archive of research. - The project also reflects a preservation message: abandoned places can still teach readers about regional economies, migration patterns and changing transportation routes.

What’s next: - Smith is continuing work under United States Ghost Towns, which remains focused on documenting abandoned communities across all 50 states. - Readers interested in a broader exploration of the project can follow Smith’s ongoing ghost town research and related travel resources. - The book positions a possible ongoing series, with this release labeled as Vol. 1.

The bottom line: - Ghost Towns Across America Guide Vol 1 packages forgotten American places into a travel-friendly history guide built for curious readers and explorers.