Ghost town real estate opportunities
Photojournalism at its best. Also, I don't do haunted houses.
Do I ever have some prime real estate opportunities to share with you all today! They come from a small town in Montana. Let’s call it Comet, because it is called Comet. Don’t spread the word too far, though, as we don’t want it to get all gentrified because then it would no longer be the small, creepy ghost town in a beautiful setting that it is. Per Wikipedia and my own on-the-ground experience, there is one active residence there. About that I have only to say, those people are made of sterner stuff than me.
Because, speaking of ghost towns, I’m not much for scary things. I’m somewhat brave when it comes to many things. Not others. Even some movie covers on Netflix are too graphic for my increasing sensitivities, my type of Halloween movie is Arsenic and Old Lace, and haunted houses are an absolute no for me. My last visit to one was with a hunky, hairy boyfriend years ago and he mostly got a kick out of my terror. Hence him being a former boyfriend.
I still have some fabulous ideas for which no one is paying me when it comes to scary stuff, though. Here’s my million dollar idea for a highly creepy and yet wholesome haunted house: a long-abandoned factory or derelict mansion…where literally nothing happens but you don’t know that until the end. Since suspense—anticipation of the scary—is the draw, what could be better than ALL suspense? Nothing, I’m telling you. Can you even imagine a) winding through this abandoned Comet mine building b) at night and c) wondering when someone is going to sneak up behind you with a chainsaw?
It was broad daylight on a beautiful autumn day when my dad and I explored our way through the town and its buildings several years ago; I managed to still be creeped out.
This mine building sprawled way up the hill but I sadly did not capture a photo of it. You’ll just have to take my word for the size of it because what alternative do you have? None.
Anyway, I promised properties, and here are some you might consider.
Our first property is one which really pushes the envelope of standard design practice. While every other architect was designing homes around the concept of straight lines, this home was inspired by the Sag Movement of the 1870s. Vacuuming and sweeping this home are a dream, as everything finds its way to the center of the home. Also, the cellar has been made more accessible from the main level of the home. Lastly, you’ll enjoy that it’s easy to describe to new-to-town folks which home is yours: “Look for the home which from the front looks like the face of an owl. That’s ours.”
Now this next home may not have been much to look at from the outside, but we can’t resist including it here for your consideration. We’re sure you’ll see why. We were delighted to discover this particular shade of green paint in an otherwise modest home. The delight is richer for it being sporadically applied, our favorite application of which is on the joists of the upper floor. Also, built-ins are a real draw in any home, and we suspect you’ll appreciate that much seems to be resting on this rare chimney/built-in combination.
This next and otherwise non-descript property has one real stand-out feature you are sure to love. You know how the kitchen is the heart of every home? Have you heard it further said that the kitchen table is the heart of the heart of the home? Well, in this particular home, you can be sure this will always be the case. This property’s kitchen has a Pottery Barn-inspired farmhouse table, with concrete legs. These legs have additionally been welded to the floor, making arguments over the location of the kitchen table a thing of the past! Bonus: from the table, you will enjoy an unobstructed view of a gorgeous property just across the street.
Okay, now here’s another one we think you’ll particularly enjoy. This one has exceptional natural light from all directions. Most homes only let in natural light from traditionally-sized windows, but this unique style of home creatively allows that spectacular Montana light in via “windows” of various sizes placed strategically throughout every plane of the home. There’s an experimental design feature of the home you may also enjoy, and that is that the lower stairs have been thoughtfully removed so you will only make the trips upstairs you REALLY need to make.
I don’t believe these properties are currently represented by anyone other than me. If you’re interested in arranging a tour, please drop me a line. I believe we still have some showings available on October, let’s see…oh yes, 31st. Evening work for you?
In all seriousness though, I still sometimes think about the people who moved to Comet 150 years ago with hopes and dreams. And some probably had super sketchy pasts. Back then, it was way easier to get a fresh start. Or come run the same bad-news racket you’d run in other places. Tell people your name is something ordinary like Jake Smith and they’d believe you! In my imagination, everyone back then was God-fearing and wholesome, but I think places like this usually had more brothels than churches and probably more murders than mid-day quilting circles. Also, I’m not a historian. And also, I promised to end this on a serious note! So back to that! Not a single original resident of Comet is still with us, and it makes a person wonder how their lives turned out and how they feel about how their lives turned out. They probably probably had good days, bad days, lots of love, plenty of regrets over relationships, loads of “failures,” enough “successes” to keep them in the game—I mean, SOMEONE picked out that green paint and deserves all the credit—faith lost and restored, and adventures.
One thing is sure, though, and that’s they didn’t have to wonder how things would’ve turned out for them if they had moved to Comet. Been there, done that, and survived anything sketchy or creepy that was there even at the time.
Isn’t life cool, some places creepy, and aren’t people interesting? See you in the next one…
The wall hanging from the 2nd floor ceiling over the void of the first floor, and swaying, felt somewhat spooky.