Some ghost towns feel like museums. Sloss feels like an interruption — a place that stopped mid-sentence. Marcus Cauffman ("Max" or "Dick") Sloss (February 28, 1869 – May 17, 1958) was an American lawyer who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of California from December 19, 1906, to March 1, 1919.
Mariposa County holds 22 documented ghost towns, including Agua Fria, Bagby, Ben Hur — Sloss keeps them company on the map.
The story of Sloss
California wrote the book on ghost towns, from Gold Rush tent cities to Owens Valley farm towns the aqueduct dried up.
Marcus Cauffman ("Max" or "Dick") Sloss (February 28, 1869 – May 17, 1958) was an American lawyer who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of California from December 19, 1906, to March 1, 1919.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Sloss 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 Sloss 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.
Survey Map
Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting
Sloss FAQs
01Where is Sloss located?
02What county is Sloss in?
03What is the history of Sloss?
04What remains at Sloss today?
05Can you visit Sloss?
Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“M. C. Sloss”), CC BY-SA.
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