Ghost TownUSA

Ghost Town · Oregon

Carter

A ghost town of unknown status in Lane County County, Oregon.

By the Ghost Town USA research team Last reviewed September 2026

Carter ghost town, Oregon
Plate I — Carter, OregonPhoto: Oregon Department of Transportation (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons

The map remembers Carter long after the crowds moved on. Margaret Louise Carter (née Hunter; December 29, 1935) is an American politician who was a Democratic member of the Oregon Legislative Assembly from 1985 to 1999 and 2001 to 2009 and was the first black woman elected to

Lane County County holds 12 documented ghost towns, including Alma, Arnet, Bohemia City — Carter keeps them company on the map.

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The story of Carter

Oregon's ghost towns are timber camps and high-desert gold strikes, preserved by dry air and long distances.

Margaret Louise Carter (née Hunter; December 29, 1935) is an American politician who was a Democratic member of the Oregon Legislative Assembly from 1985 to 1999 and 2001 to 2009 and was the first black woman elected to the state's legislature. She served in the Oregon House of Representatives until 1999, and then in the Oregon State Senate from 2001 to 2009. She served as President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Vice Chair for Ways and Means, and as a member of both the Health and Human Services and Oregon State Hospital Patient Care committees.

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What you'll find today

The on-the-ground condition of Carter 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 Carter 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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Carter FAQs

01Where is Carter located?
Carter is in Lane County County, Oregon. Precise coordinates aren't on record, so research maps and local directions before you go.
02What county is Carter in?
Carter sits in Lane County County, Oregon. See our full guide to ghost towns in Lane County County for its neighbors.
03What is the history of Carter?
Margaret Louise Carter (née Hunter; December 29, 1935) is an American politician who was a Democratic member of the Oregon Legislative Assembly from 1985 to 1999 and 2001 to 2009 and was the first black woman elected to the state's legislature.
04What remains at Carter today?
The on-the-ground condition of Carter 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 Carter?
Here's the honest truth: access to Carter 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 (“Margaret Carter”), CC BY-SA.

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More in Lane County County

All 12 ghost towns in Lane County County →