Boomtowns are built on optimism; ghost towns are what's left when it runs out. Welcome to Lake Emily. Lake Emily is a ghost town in the town of Amherst, Portage County, Wisconsin, United States.
The story of Lake Emily
Wisconsin's ghost towns are lead mines, lumber towns, and cutover country that went back to forest.
Lake Emily is a ghost town in the town of Amherst, Portage County, Wisconsin, United States. Lake Emily Park, located just west of Amherst Junction, Wisconsin is one of 24 areas managed by the Portage County Parks Department.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Lake Emily 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.
Getting there
Here's the honest truth: access to Lake Emily 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 Lake Emily is roughly 44.4778, -89.3347 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.
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.
Survey Map
Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting
Lake Emily FAQs
01Where is Lake Emily located?
02What county is Lake Emily in?
03What is the history of Lake Emily?
04What remains at Lake Emily today?
05Can you visit Lake Emily?
Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Lake Emily, Wisconsin”), CC BY-SA.
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