A town doesn’t need bustling streets to have charm.

Located northwest of Drumheller, Rowley has been extremely well-preserved by volunteers and the province.

Here, several historical buildings including a church, funeral home, bank and a saloon are frozen in time and are still visited by locals and tourists alike.

While the Alberta gem is often referred to as a ‘ghost town’ due to its population of 12, Rowley has a whole lot of life and is proof that as long as you take care of something, it’ll last.

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This working saloon is over 100 years old & it’s located in an Alberta ‘ghost town’

ghost town alberta
Photo via Rowley, Alberta / Facebook

This, of course, is not always easy!

Keeping this place in good shape takes effort and money, which is why they’ve started holding ‘pizza nights.’

Featuring live entertainment (more often than not) and cheesy eats, those who are willing and able are encouraged to hang out and grab a bite.

According to their website, all proceeds will go towards repairs and maintenance for the various properties – plus, they’re family-friendly!

Want to explore while the temperatures are high? In addition to this, they also offer interior tours in the summertime.

Lace up your shoes, be respectful and check it out!

There’s really no place like it.

The ‘ghost town’ of Rowley, Alberta

Where: Directions here

Cassandra Stefanic

Regional Editor, Prairies –Cassandra is a Calgary-based journalist with a deep appreciation for music, film, food, travelling, and storytelling. When she’s not chasing a story, writing, or editing, you’ll likely find her in the mountains, binge-watching a new series, at a speakeasy, cooking, or getting lost in a Taylor Swift re-record.

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