Ghost TownUSA

Ghost Town · Oregon

Chinatown

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

By the Ghost Town USA research team Last reviewed September 2026

Chinatown ghost town, Oregon
Plate I — Chinatown, OregonPhoto: Ian Sane from Oregon, USA (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons

You don't stumble onto Chinatown by accident. That's rather the point. Old Town Chinatown is the official Chinatown of the northwest section of Portland, Oregon, United States.

Baker County County holds 16 documented ghost towns, including Auburn, Clarksville, Copperfield — Chinatown keeps them company on the map.

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The story of Chinatown

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

Old Town Chinatown is the official Chinatown of the northwest section of Portland, Oregon, United States. The Willamette River forms its eastern boundary, separating it from the Lloyd District and the Kerns and Buckman neighborhoods. It includes the Portland Skidmore/Old Town Historic District and the Portland New Chinatown/Japantown Historic District, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been referred to as the "skid row" of Portland.

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What you'll find today

The on-the-ground condition of Chinatown 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 Chinatown 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. The mapped point for Chinatown is roughly 45.5253, -122.6725 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

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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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Chinatown FAQs

01Where is Chinatown located?
Chinatown is in Baker County County, Oregon, mapped near 45.5253, -122.6725.
02What county is Chinatown in?
Chinatown sits in Baker County County, Oregon. See our full guide to ghost towns in Baker County County for its neighbors.
03What is the history of Chinatown?
Old Town Chinatown is the official Chinatown of the northwest section of Portland, Oregon, United States. The Willamette River forms its eastern boundary, separating it from the Lloyd District and the Kerns and Buckman neighborhoods.
04What remains at Chinatown today?
The on-the-ground condition of Chinatown 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 Chinatown?
Here's the honest truth: access to Chinatown 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. The mapped point for Chinatown is roughly 45.5253, -122.6725 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Old Town Chinatown”), CC BY-SA.

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More in Baker County County

All 16 ghost towns in Baker County County →