Ghost TownUSA

Ghost Town · South Dakota

Elmore

A ghost town of unknown status in Lawrence County, South Dakota.

By the Ghost Town USA research team Last reviewed September 2026

Elmore ghost town, South Dakota
Plate I — Elmore, South DakotaPhoto: Chris Pruitt (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons

Elmore isn't the ghost town on the postcards, which is exactly why it's worth knowing about. T. M. Elmore Gymnasium is a 6,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Normal, the northern part of Huntsville, Alabama, United States.

Lawrence County holds 43 documented ghost towns, including Albany, Allerton, Annie Creek — Elmore keeps them company on the map.

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The story of Elmore

South Dakota's ghost towns mix Black Hills gold camps with prairie farm towns the Dust Bowl finished.

T. M. Elmore Gymnasium is a 6,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Normal, the northern part of Huntsville, Alabama, United States. It is home to the Alabama A&M University Bulldogs women's volleyball team, and was also home to the A&M men's and women's basketball teams before their 2022 move to the new Alabama A&M Events Center. The gymnasium is informally known as "The Dog House" due to the hot temperature and loud environment for opposing teams. In February 1996, Elmore Gymnasium was ranked the "fourth-toughest place to play" in NCAA Division II basketball by Division II Bulletin.

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What you'll find today

The on-the-ground condition of Elmore 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 Elmore 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 Elmore is roughly 44.3155, -103.8874 — 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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Elmore FAQs

01Where is Elmore located?
Elmore is in Lawrence County, South Dakota, mapped near 44.3155, -103.8874.
02What county is Elmore in?
Elmore sits in Lawrence County, South Dakota. See our full guide to ghost towns in Lawrence County for its neighbors.
03What is the history of Elmore?
T. M. Elmore Gymnasium is a 6,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Normal, the northern part of Huntsville, Alabama, United States.
04What remains at Elmore today?
The on-the-ground condition of Elmore 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 Elmore?
Here's the honest truth: access to Elmore 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 Elmore is roughly 44.3155, -103.8874 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Elmore Gymnasium”), CC BY-SA.

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More in Lawrence County

All 43 ghost towns in Lawrence County →