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All the United States Washington Olympia Bordeaux, Washington
Bordeaux, Washington is permanently closed.

This entry remains in the Atlas as a record of its history, but it is no longer accessible to visitors.

Bordeaux, Washington

The remains of a former logging boom town, crumbled away in the forest.

Olympia, Washington

Added By
Rebecca Valley
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Bordeaux, Washington   rebeccavalley / Atlas Obscura User
Bordeaux, Washington   rebeccavalley / Atlas Obscura User
Bordeaux, Washington   rebeccavalley / Atlas Obscura User
Bordeaux, Washington   rebeccavalley / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Hidden in the dense woods of Washington state are the remains of a once-booming logging town that have since deteriorated to moss-covered ruins. Located between the mysterious Mima Mounds and the Cedar Creek Correctional Center, all that's left of the former logging town of Bordeaux are a few crumbling concrete foundations, a smokestack, and a vault—and these remaining ruins are located on private property, which the public can no longer visit.  

Once upon a time, the site was home to multiple buildings and services, seeming like the foundation of a town that could never simply disappear. In its prime, Bordeaux was a thriving town that shipped cedar and fir trees from the Capital Forest to the East Coast for ship masts, and north to Seattle and Tacoma for home construction. It survived for about 60 years, and died when the saw mill shut down in the mid-20th century, as the cedar that had sustained the town dried up. Residents packed up their things and hit the road for greener pastures (so to speak). 

The railroad tracks that kept the town alive were covered in pavement soon after, and became what is now Bordeaux Road. 

Related Tags

Ruins Ghost Towns

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The ruins at Bordeaux are located on private property and not accessible to the public.

Community Contributors

Added By

rebeccavalley

Published

February 4, 2016

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Sources
  • http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2012/09/ghost-towns-of-pacific-northwest.html
  • http://www.exploringhistoryinyourhikingboots.com/bordeaux-wa-usa/
  • http://www.ghosttownsofwashington.com/bordeaux.html
  • http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/bordeaux-ghost-town
Bordeaux, Washington
Olympia, Washington, 98512
United States
46.894821, -123.080142

Nearby Places

Mima Mounds

Olympia, Washington

miles away

Washington Capitol State Reception Room

Olympia, Washington

miles away

Olympia Artesian Well Commons

Olympia, Washington

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Olympia

Olympia

Washington

Places 4

Nearby Places

Mima Mounds

Olympia, Washington

miles away

Washington Capitol State Reception Room

Olympia, Washington

miles away

Olympia Artesian Well Commons

Olympia, Washington

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Olympia

Olympia

Washington

Places 4

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