Ghost Town USA

Ghost Town · Pennsylvania

McKinley

A ghost town of unknown status in Elk County, Pennsylvania.

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

Quick Facts

Status
Unknown Status
Access
Unknown Access
Coordinates
Not recorded

Boomtowns are built on optimism; ghost towns are what's left when it runs out. Welcome to McKinley. McKinley is a census-designated place, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. Almost all of it is in Abington Township, while some blocks are in Cheltenham Township.

Elk County holds 18 documented ghost towns, including Arroyo, Big Run, Blue Rock — McKinley keeps them company on the map.

The story of McKinley

Pennsylvania invented the American company town — coal patches and oil booms that burned bright and short.

McKinley is a census-designated place, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. Almost all of it is in Abington Township, while some blocks are in Cheltenham Township. McKinley is located along Forrest Avenue between Pennsylvania Route 73 (Township Line Road) and Jenkintown Road southeast of Jenkintown. As of the 2020 United States census the community had a population of 3,128.

What you'll find today

The on-the-ground condition of McKinley 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 McKinley 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.

McKinley FAQs

Where is McKinley located?
McKinley is in Elk County, Pennsylvania. Precise coordinates aren't on record, so research maps and local directions before you go.
What county is McKinley in?
McKinley sits in Elk County, Pennsylvania. See our full guide to ghost towns in Elk County for its neighbors.
What is the history of McKinley?
McKinley is a census-designated place, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. Almost all of it is in Abington Township, while some blocks are in Cheltenham Township.
What remains at McKinley today?
The on-the-ground condition of McKinley 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 McKinley?
Here's the honest truth: access to McKinley 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 (“McKinley, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania”), CC BY-SA.

More Ghost Towns in Elk County

See all 18 ghost towns in Elk County, Pennsylvania