Ghost TownUSA

Ghost Town · Pennsylvania

Shawmut

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

By the Ghost Town USA research team Last reviewed September 2026

Shawmut doesn't need a haunted reputation — the empty streets do the talking. The Pittsburg and Shawmut Railroad (reporting mark PSR), also known as the Shawmut Line, was a short line railroad company operating passenger and freight service on standard gauge track in central and southwestern Penns

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

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The story of Shawmut

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

The Pittsburg and Shawmut Railroad (reporting mark PSR), also known as the Shawmut Line, was a short line railroad company operating passenger and freight service on standard gauge track in central and southwestern Pennsylvania. Since 2004, it has been operated as part of the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad, which is owned by Genesee & Wyoming Inc.

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What you'll find today

The on-the-ground condition of Shawmut 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.

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Getting there

Here's the honest truth: access to Shawmut 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 Shawmut is roughly 41.2873, -78.7334 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

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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.

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Survey Map

Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting

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Shawmut FAQs

01Where is Shawmut located?
Shawmut is in Elk County, Pennsylvania, mapped near 41.2873, -78.7334.
02What county is Shawmut in?
Shawmut sits in Elk County, Pennsylvania. See our full guide to ghost towns in Elk County for its neighbors.
03What is the history of Shawmut?
The Pittsburg and Shawmut Railroad (reporting mark PSR), also known as the Shawmut Line, was a short line railroad company operating passenger and freight service on standard gauge track in central and southwestern Pennsylvania.
04What remains at Shawmut today?
The on-the-ground condition of Shawmut 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.
05Can you visit Shawmut?
Here's the honest truth: access to Shawmut 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 Shawmut is roughly 41.2873, -78.7334 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Pittsburg and Shawmut Railroad”), CC BY-SA.

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More in Elk County

All 18 ghost towns in Elk County →