Gaymont

West Virginia's ghost towns are coal company towns, owned outright by the mine and abandoned the same way.

Gaymont is a historic home located near Aurora, Preston County, West Virginia. It was built about 1896 as a summer resort cottage. It is a two-story, T-shaped dwelling constructed of wood, wood shingles, wood half-timbers, and cut stone. It displays eclectic overtones of American Craftsman, Rustic, and Queen Anne architectural styles. It features a low-pitched, cross-gabled, and hipped roof and wraparound, Queen Anne style verandah. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. It is located in the Brookside Historic District.

The on-the-ground condition of Gaymont 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.

Here's the honest truth: access to Gaymont 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 Gaymont is roughly 39.3253, -79.5356 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

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.