Estelle is a ghost town located west of Lafayette, Georgia on Pigeon Mountain. A gold mining town, Estelle served the Alabama and Georgia Railroad. Originally known as Shaw, Ga, the Estelle Mines were named for Estelle Shaw, daughter of Jesse Mercer and Mary Camp Shaw, owners of the mining operation. When the gold died out in the area, Estelle faded away.
At one time, the camp consisted of 175 houses, two schools, a commissary, a carpenter shop, machine shop, blacksmith shop, sawmill, a steam plant, and a supply house. A six mile railroad ran through seven tunnels into the mine. There is also a cemetery, which can still be found where the two schools were located.
Today, Estelle, particularly the cemetery, is said to be haunted. Visitors have claimed to hear disembodied voices. Ghost hunters have photographed orbs and vortexes, and have gathered quite a few EVP's.
Have you ever visited the ghost town of Estelle? Did you encounter anything unusual?
I visted the cemetery a few years ago. I was drawn to this lonely place on the mountain, although I knew nothing of its history. I love old cemeteries- haunted or not. I didn't see or hear anything unusual, I just remember that the place carried a very sad feeling.
If you ever find yourself in Lafayette, Georgia, visit the Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Receration Area. Take the time to explore this lonely ghost town. You just might encounter a few former citizens of Estelle.
Love the story, I met the families and Estelle was an iron ore and coal mine. May have found a little gold in old volcanic ground but an iron ore mine
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, my parents would take us to this cemetery. There’s a hill there where you could put your car in neutral, and the car would be pulled up the hill!
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