Ghost TownUSA

Ghost Town · Wisconsin

Clay Banks

A ghost town of unknown status in Door County, Wisconsin.

By the Ghost Town USA research team Last reviewed September 2026

Clay Banks ghost town, Wisconsin
Plate I — Clay Banks, WisconsinPhoto: Aerial Photography Field Office (APFO) for NAIP, USGS; in contract with the Surdex Corporation (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons

You don't stumble onto Clay Banks by accident. That's rather the point. Clay Banks is a town in Door County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 385 at the 2020 census. The unincorporated communities of Salona and Vignes are located in the town.

Clay Banks is the lone documented ghost town in Door County — for now.

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The story of Clay Banks

Wisconsin's ghost towns are lead mines, lumber towns, and cutover country that went back to forest.

Clay Banks is a town in Door County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 385 at the 2020 census. The unincorporated communities of Salona and Vignes are located in the town.

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What you'll find today

The on-the-ground condition of Clay Banks 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 Clay Banks 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 Clay Banks is roughly 44.7217, -87.3636 — 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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Clay Banks FAQs

01Where is Clay Banks located?
Clay Banks is in Door County, Wisconsin, mapped near 44.7217, -87.3636.
02What county is Clay Banks in?
Clay Banks sits in Door County, Wisconsin. See our full guide to ghost towns in Door County for its neighbors.
03What is the history of Clay Banks?
Clay Banks is a town in Door County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 385 at the 2020 census. The unincorporated communities of Salona and Vignes are located in the town.
04What remains at Clay Banks today?
The on-the-ground condition of Clay Banks 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 Clay Banks?
Here's the honest truth: access to Clay Banks 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 Clay Banks is roughly 44.7217, -87.3636 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Clay Banks, Wisconsin”), CC BY-SA.

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More in Door County

All 1 ghost towns in Door County →