If walls could talk, Lee would never shut up. Lucky for visitors, they mostly just stand there. Barbara Jean Lee (née Tutt; born July 16, 1946) is an American politician who has served as the 52nd mayor of Oakland since 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, Lee previously served as a U.S.
Inyo County holds 39 documented ghost towns, including Ashford Mill, Ballarat, Bend City — Lee keeps them company on the map.
The story of Lee
California wrote the book on ghost towns, from Gold Rush tent cities to Owens Valley farm towns the aqueduct dried up.
Barbara Jean Lee (née Tutt; born July 16, 1946) is an American politician who has served as the 52nd mayor of Oakland since 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, Lee previously served as a U.S. representative from California from 1998 to 2025, representing California's 12th congressional district (numbered as the 9th district from 1998 to 2013 and as the 13th district from 2013 to 2023). She also served in both houses of the California State Legislature from 1990 to 1998. Born and raised in Texas, Lee was educated at Mills College and the University of California, Berkeley.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Lee 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 Lee 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.
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
Lee FAQs
01Where is Lee located?
02What county is Lee in?
03What is the history of Lee?
04What remains at Lee today?
05Can you visit Lee?
Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Barbara Lee”), CC BY-SA.
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