Mt. Carmel

North Dakota's ghost towns are homestead-era towns the drought and the Depression emptied in a single brutal decade.

The Old Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Wrought-Iron Cross Site, near Balta, North Dakota, is a historic site of wrought-iron crosses that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. The listing included six contributing objects. It includes work by John Krim, of Pierce County. He was one of a number of "German-Russian blacksmiths in central North Dakota" who developed individual styles in their crosses and whose "work was known for miles around them."

The on-the-ground condition of Mt. Carmel 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 Mt. Carmel 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.