McNary

Louisiana's ghost towns are river landings, lumber and turpentine camps, and oil-boom towns that deflated.

McNary is a village in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is part of the Alexandria, Louisiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, McNary had a population of 201. McNary was established as a company lumber town that grew to a population of around 3,000 with a hospital, several stores, a theater, and even a pool. When the lumber played out the lumber company purchased a town in Arizona and moved the entire mill operation to what was renamed as McNary, Arizona. The community in Louisiana struggled but has survived as an incorporated village.

The on-the-ground condition of McNary 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 McNary 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.

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.