Ankeny

Washington's ghost towns are mill towns and mining camps in country so green the forest is already taking them back.

Levi Ankeny (August 1, 1844 – March 29, 1921) was a Republican United States Senator from the state of Washington. He was born in Buchanan County, Missouri, near St. Joseph, but crossed the plains to Oregon in 1850 with his parents and settled in Portland. He attended the rural schools and later Kingsley Academy in Portland. Ankeny was the stepson and adopted son of Oregon steamboat captain and businessman Alexander P. Ankeny. He worked in business in Lewiston, Idaho; Orofino, Idaho; and Florence, Idaho. He also became the mayor of Lewiston.

The on-the-ground condition of Ankeny is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Ankeny is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.