Lead-zinc mining town on the Kansas-Oklahoma line, twin to infamous Picher, that was depopulated through a 2010-2012 federal buyout after a century of mining left toxic chat piles, lead-laden dust, and cave-in-prone undermined ground across the Tar Creek Superfund area. Nearly all structures are gone; what remains are empty street grids, foundations, mountains of gray chat, and acid-orange water in subsidence pits. The area is nominally reachable by public road but the ground itself is the hazard: unmarked shafts, sudden sinkholes, and soils still contaminated with heavy metals. Do not disturb dust, and stay off the chat piles.
Vestige documents abandoned & historic places for education and preservation. Always obtain permission before visiting and follow local law.