Lignite

Lignite is a ghost town located in Botetourt County, VA, in the Roanoke Valley. It was one of many mining communities that appeared throughout the region in latter 19th and early 20th centuries. Iron ore was mined in the areas surrounding Lignite (despite the coal reference in the town's name), which is still evident in the rocks scattered in and around the ruins.

At one time Lignite contained homes, a post office, theater, saloon and church. Crumbling rock foundations and walls, as well as some chimneys, are all that remain. Most residents moved elsewhere when the mine closed in 1924. Winter or early spring viewing is best, as overgrowth makes the ruins impassable in the warmer months.




There is an understated menace to Lignite, and it is not uncommon for campers or squatters to take up residence for a time.




Though nature has done a great deal of reclamation in Lignite, locals also had a great deal to do with the town's dismantling after it was abandoned. The article below contains mostly accurate information regarding Lignite, particularly the comment from a local in nearby Oriskany, VA:

www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/magazine/february-2012/lost-tow...

And, a link to the full photo story:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnhildreth/sets/72157640930996235/

Abandoned in Giles County, VA

A pair of abandoned homesteads located in southwest VA -- lots of stories here. The decades have eroded both properties and nature continues to reclaim them in glorious ruin. Hover over each image to scroll back and forth through the set.







The first, while boarded up, reveals small glances inside via broken blinds, torn curtains and a walk-in cubby. Lots of debris on the front porch and around the yard.  Remnants of past lives abound, and the contents of the storage cubby look like something out of a scary movie. The cinder block construction of the building is generally intact, though the siding and everything else have greatly deteriorated over the decades.




The second has fared less well in the elements and is nearly ready to collapse. Although not closed up, the interior is a total haz-mat situation and the floor would likely buckle beneath the weight of one or two people. The debris inside, as well as that collected in the crawlspace under the house, is not something you want to fall into, get trapped in, etc. The siding, roof and pretty much everything else is falling to pieces.






View a short video montage below:

View the full photo set is here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnhildreth/sets/72157644122945675/