Ghost Town USA

Ghost Town · California

Liberty

A ghost town of unknown status in San Joaquin County, California.

By the Ghost Town USA research team · Last reviewed September 2026

Liberty ghost town, California
Photo: Liberty Films (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons

Quick Facts

Status
Unknown Status
Access
Unknown Access
Coordinates
Not recorded

You don't stumble onto Liberty by accident. That's rather the point. Liberty Films was an independent motion picture production company founded in California by Frank Capra and Samuel J. Briskin in April 1945.

San Joaquin County holds 4 documented ghost towns, including Carnegie, Elliott, San Joaquin City — Liberty keeps them company on the map.

The story of Liberty

California wrote the book on ghost towns, from Gold Rush tent cities to Owens Valley farm towns the aqueduct dried up.

Liberty Films was an independent motion picture production company founded in California by Frank Capra and Samuel J. Briskin in April 1945. It produced only two films, the Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life (1946), originally released by RKO Radio Pictures, and the film version of the hit play State of the Union (1948), originally released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Liberty Films' logo was the Liberty Bell ringing loudly.

What you'll find today

The on-the-ground condition of Liberty 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 Liberty 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.

Liberty FAQs

Where is Liberty located?
Liberty is in San Joaquin County, California. Precise coordinates aren't on record, so research maps and local directions before you go.
What county is Liberty in?
Liberty sits in San Joaquin County, California. See our full guide to ghost towns in San Joaquin County for its neighbors.
What is the history of Liberty?
Liberty Films was an independent motion picture production company founded in California by Frank Capra and Samuel J. Briskin in April 1945.
What remains at Liberty today?
The on-the-ground condition of Liberty 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.
Can you visit Liberty?
Here's the honest truth: access to Liberty 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.

Sources: description based on Wikipedia (“Liberty Films”), CC BY-SA.

More Ghost Towns in San Joaquin County

See all 4 ghost towns in San Joaquin County, California