Rochford Ghost Town

In August 1876, three hunters from Deadwood accidentally discovered a gold-bearing rock on Montezuma Hill. By December 1878, Rochford's population was 500, with another 500 prospectors living in tents on the nearby hills. The camp boasted doctors, a church, three saloons, six stores, and more than 100 homes. Unlike many western mining camps, Rochford experienced very little violence, unlike the wild and woolly Lead and Deadwood, just 21 miles to the north. The Standby Mine, the most prolific producer, ran a 40-stamp mill and a specially constructed elevated flume. When the mines played out, so did most of the population. Today Rochford is called the "friendliest ghost town" in the Black Hills. A handful of residents preserve Rochford's spirit, and the town is famously home to the "University of Rochford" and the "Mall of America" — both humorous, tiny, rustic buildings that showcase its offbeat character. The Moonshine Gulch Saloon still pours cold drinks for visitors who make the trip.