Some places earn their silence — and Tartown is one of them. Tartown, formerly an unincorporated community, is now an extinct community that was located in Adams County, Pennsylvania, United States.
Tartown is the lone documented ghost town in Adams County — for now.
The story of Tartown
Pennsylvania invented the American company town — coal patches and oil booms that burned bright and short.
Tartown, formerly an unincorporated community, is now an extinct community that was located in Adams County, Pennsylvania, United States.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Tartown 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 Tartown 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 Tartown is roughly 39.8197, -77.4528 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.
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
Tartown FAQs
01Where is Tartown located?
02What county is Tartown in?
03What is the history of Tartown?
04What remains at Tartown today?
05Can you visit Tartown?
Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Tartown, Pennsylvania”), CC BY-SA.
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