Hillhurst

Washington's ghost towns are mill towns and mining camps in country so green the forest is already taking them back.

Hillhurst is an extinct town in Pierce County, in the U.S. state of Washington. A post office called Hillhurst was established in 1878, and remained in operation until 1920. The community was named for a hill near the original town site. What remains of Hillhurst is now enclosed by Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The on-the-ground condition of Hillhurst 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.

Here's the honest truth: access to Hillhurst 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.

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.