Document Type

Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2014

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Resource Management

Committee Chair

Robert Kuhlken

Second Committee Member

John Bowen

Third Committee Member

Mathew Novak

Abstract

Numerous abandoned hard rock mining settlements in the American West are now referred to as ghost towns. As tourist attractions and significant historic resources, preserving and managing these remote ghost towns can be challenging. Heritage managers face a number of issues, from implementing an appropriate preservation strategy to attracting enough visitors to remain economically viable. The purpose of this study is to perform a comparative analysis of current management methods used at several notable ghost towns. Additionally, the study explores how tourist perceptions of these landscapes can influence ghost town preservation strategies. I accomplish this by performing case studies at four geographically isolated sites in the northern Rocky Mountain states of Montana and Idaho. This thesis contributes to the academic literature concerning ghost towns as historic resources and provides heritage preservationists with critical information and suggestions regarding how to best manage these landscapes.

Comments

This thesis has been digitized and made available as part of the University’s ongoing preservation and access initiatives. Copyright is retained by the original author. The University has made a good faith effort to review this work for copyright and privacy concerns prior to digitization. If you are the author or a rights holder and have questions, concerns or wish to request removal, please contact ScholarWorks@cwu.edu.

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