Ghost Town USA

Ghost Town · Florida

Ritta Island

A ghost town of unknown status in Palm Beach County, Florida.

By the Ghost Town USA research team · Last reviewed September 2026

Ritta Island ghost town, Florida
Photo: Sellards, Elias Howard, b. 1875. (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons

Quick Facts

State
Florida
Status
Unknown Status
Access
Unknown Access
Coordinates
Not recorded

Some ghost towns feel like museums. Ritta Island feels like an interruption — a place that stopped mid-sentence. Ritta Island is an island and ghost town in Lake Okeechobee, Florida. Ritta Island is located near the southern shore of the lake, and the settlement was situated in Palm Beach County, 5 miles (8.0 km) east of Clewiston.

Palm Beach County holds 15 documented ghost towns, including Apix, Bean City, Bryant — Ritta Island keeps them company on the map.

The story of Ritta Island

Florida's ghost towns are railroad towns Flagler built, 1920s land-boom subdivisions that busted, and phosphate and turpentine camps.

Ritta Island is an island and ghost town in Lake Okeechobee, Florida. Ritta Island is located near the southern shore of the lake, and the settlement was situated in Palm Beach County, 5 miles (8.0 km) east of Clewiston.

What you'll find today

The on-the-ground condition of Ritta Island 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.

Getting there

Here's the honest truth: access to Ritta Island 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.

Good to know

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.

Ritta Island FAQs

Where is Ritta Island located?
Ritta Island is in Palm Beach County, Florida. Precise coordinates aren't on record, so research maps and local directions before you go.
What county is Ritta Island in?
Ritta Island sits in Palm Beach County, Florida. See our full guide to ghost towns in Palm Beach County for its neighbors.
What is the history of Ritta Island?
Ritta Island is an island and ghost town in Lake Okeechobee, Florida. Ritta Island is located near the southern shore of the lake, and the settlement was situated in Palm Beach County, 5 miles (8.0 km) east of Clewiston.
What remains at Ritta Island today?
The on-the-ground condition of Ritta Island 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.
Can you visit Ritta Island?
Here's the honest truth: access to Ritta Island 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.

Sources: description based on Wikipedia (“Ritta Island, Florida”), CC BY-SA.

More Ghost Towns in Palm Beach County

See all 15 ghost towns in Palm Beach County, Florida