7. Kennecott, Alaska
Kennecott thrived as a copper mining company town from 1911 until the ore was exhausted in 1938. Once the mines closed, the population vanished, but the site’s red mill buildings and machinery remain impressively preserved within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Kennecott serves as a striking example of the vulnerability that comes with reliance on a single industry, offering visitors a vivid glimpse into Alaska’s mining heritage.
