Usually when visiting one of Idaho’s many ghost towns, there is the sense of something peculiar and…spooky. That’s why they’re called ghost towns, right? Although considered a “ghost town,” the city of Chesterfield is actually very peaceful. A visit to this place is different from other ghost towns. Seeing the restored buildings, the same ones built so long ago when it was first founded in 1881, brings you a sense of the deep history and love that went into the town during its heyday.
Taking a trip to Chesterfield is like taking a trip through the past. Unlike any other of Idaho’s abandoned town, it has a distinct charm of its own and you need to see it for yourself.
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Few towns from this specific time period remain, making Chesterfield all the more unique. Unlike other ghost towns, Chesterfield doesn’t feel like something straight out of the wild west. Instead, it is a small and quiet retreat.
The eeriest part about Chesterfield is that all these structures look so great because of the consistent upkeep tended to them, and yet the town remains empty. You wonder, where are all the people?
Set upon an expanse of rolling hills, with the view of mountains in the distant, it’s easy to see why the early settlers deemed this a good place to live. The landscape is simply awe inspiring!
It’s hard to believe more than 400 people lived here by 1900. By the 1940s, the town was effectively empty and forgotten about.
Volunteers work as guides during the summer. There is no charge for these tours, but donations are welcomed!
The abandonment of the town is credited to a combination of harsh winters, agricultural difficulties, and the allure of living in a bigger city. It seems odd that anybody would want to leave a place like this, where the hills go on forever and the skies are always clear.
Have you been to Chesterfield? Share you experience with us below! Don’t forget to check out our article on this other must-see ghost town in Idaho!
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