Ghost TownUSA

Ghost Town · Kansas

Cactus

A ghost town of unknown status in Norton County, Kansas.

By the Ghost Town USA research team Last reviewed September 2026

Some places earn their silence — and Cactus is one of them. The 2017 Cactus Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game played on December 26, 2017, at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.

Norton County holds 11 documented ghost towns, including Bower, Brett, Devizes — Cactus keeps them company on the map.

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The story of Cactus

Kansas ghost towns are what happens when the railroad changes its mind and the wheat stops paying.

The 2017 Cactus Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game played on December 26, 2017, at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. The game was the 29th edition of the Cactus Bowl, although only the fourth played under that name. The game was one of the 2017–18 bowl games concluding the 2017 FBS football season. The bowl featured the Kansas State Wildcats of the Big 12 Conference against the UCLA Bruins of the Pac-12 Conference, and was the final game of the season for both teams. Kansas State won, 35–17.

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What you'll find today

The on-the-ground condition of Cactus 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.

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Getting there

Here's the honest truth: access to Cactus 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.

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Good to know

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.

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Survey Map

Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting

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Cactus FAQs

01Where is Cactus located?
Cactus is in Norton County, Kansas. Precise coordinates aren't on record, so research maps and local directions before you go.
02What county is Cactus in?
Cactus sits in Norton County, Kansas. See our full guide to ghost towns in Norton County for its neighbors.
03What is the history of Cactus?
The 2017 Cactus Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game played on December 26, 2017, at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. The game was the 29th edition of the Cactus Bowl, although only the fourth played under that name.
04What remains at Cactus today?
The on-the-ground condition of Cactus 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.
05Can you visit Cactus?
Here's the honest truth: access to Cactus 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.

Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“2017 Cactus Bowl”), CC BY-SA.

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More in Norton County

All 11 ghost towns in Norton County →