Mayville

Oregon's ghost towns are timber camps and high-desert gold strikes, preserved by dry air and long distances.

Mayville is an unincorporated community in Gilliam County, Oregon, United States. It is located on Oregon Route 19. According to 1909 Oregon law, Mayville was the permanent meeting place of the board of commissioners of Gilliam and Wheeler counties. They met in Mayville each year to elect the president of the board. A post office was established in Mayville and "put in operation in October 1884 with Samuel Thornton postmaster." The community's name was originally made by Thornton's wife.

The on-the-ground condition of Mayville 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 Mayville 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 Mayville is roughly 45.0822, -120.1922 — 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.