Asphaltum Indiana Ghost Town

Gypsy Heart

Gold Member
Nov 29, 2005
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Ozarks
Asphaltum is situated at the Walker and Gillam townships line.


This used to be an old oil drilling town. It was full of Saloons and WhoreHouses and had a railroad track running right through it. It became desolate when the town ran out of oil.
 

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Thanks Gypsy. Now that I am back from God's country (Texas lol) and in the land of the hoosiers (what the hell is a hoosier) I will see if I can get down there next weekend and see whats shakin... TMAN...
 

Hey TMAN,

did you get a chance to go to Asphaltum town yet? it is about 40 miles from Gary, IN. If you feel like doing a Recon trip let me know.
 

Well, I finally took a road trip to the little town of Asphaltum. There is actually a sign there, along with about 10 houses and nothing but corn fields. Didn't locate the railroad tracks so I didnt locate the old town central. It is in the middle of no where. I used yahoo maps and it took me right to it. TMAN...
 

I've been through there many many times, there is also alot of wet lands! The railroad did not go through it, the C&WV (Chicago& Walbash Valley Railroad had a spur track that went to Giffords oil refinery, this is why they was some what a town there, when the oil wells started to dry up Gifford pulled the spur track and abandoned the refinery, he ran 3 tank cars on that line, and if I remember correctly it was originally called Petroleum, and the name changed just after Gifford pulled the spur. The only visable item let from 1900 town is 1 base of an oil well, its in the front yard of a house there, it looks like a cement wheel with the center open. Check out this tour of the C&WV RR and you will see all the towns and their locatons. http://www.monon.monon.org/monon/cwvtour03.html
 

well would be interesting to dig previous whorehouses but anyhow anyone in mid state would like to team up would be awesome Im always looking for a good place to hunt and meet new friends
 

I am in Madison county , new to the hobby but ready for spring to get here
 

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