Hanford

Hanford is a ghost town in Benton County, Washington that sits on a plateau with only a few remaining buildings visible. The remnants show what was once a rural center with scattered structures that hint at its former character.

The settlement began in 1907 as an agricultural center and grew into a small rural community before World War II interrupted its development. In 1943 residents received orders to leave, ending the town's original purpose.

The preserved school building reflects the educational role this place held for families in an agricultural community before World War II. This structure shows how people lived and what they valued in their daily lives here.

The site is now part of a historical park and can be visited with guided tours that provide context about what happened here. Wear sturdy shoes because you will walk across open ground where weather can change quickly.

Residents had only a few weeks to leave their homes, which shows how quickly the government moved to clear the area. This sudden disappearance of an entire town makes Hanford an unusual example of a community completely erased in the modern era.

Location: Benton County

Inception: 1907

Elevation above the sea: 123 m

GPS coordinates: 46.58370,-119.38800

Latest update: December 20, 2025 12:18