ALABAMA (7 Ghost Counties)
Baine County - This county was discontinued in 1867, and the land incorporated into Etowah County in 1868.
Baker County - This county was created in 1868. The name was changed to Chilton County in 1874.
Benton County - Created in 1832, it's name was changed to Calhoun County on 29 January 1858.
Cabela County - This county was created in 1818. The name was changed to Bibb County two years later.
Cotaco County - Created in 1818 and named for a local Indian chief, it was renamed Morgan County in 1821.
Hancock County - Formed in 1850, it's name was changed to Winston in 1858.
Jones County - This county was created on 4 February 1867. It was abolished on 3 November 1867. Almost a year later, on 8 October 1868, Sanford County was created from what had been Jones County. In 1877, the name was changed to Lamar County.
ARIZONA (1 Ghost County)
Pah Ute County - Created from Mojave County prior to 1895. Dissolved and returned to Mojave in 1895.
ARKANSAS (1 Ghost County)
Dorsey County - This county was established in 1873. The name was changed to Cleveland on 5 March 1885.
CALIFORNIA (11 Ghost Counties)
Benicia County - Created in 1850, and renamed Solano.
Branciforte County - Created by act of state legislature on 18 February 1850, but name changed to Santa Cruz in April of the same year.
Colomo County - One of California's original counties, formed in 1850. Later changed to El Dorado County.
Colusi County - Another original county, created in 1850 and, later, renamed Colusa County.
Fremont County - Created by state legislature on 18 February 1850; renamed Yola, then Yolo County.
Klamath County - Created in 1851 from northern part of Trinity County. The area was mostly mining land, and apparently its leadership was fairly corrupt. The county was abolished in 1875, and parts of the county went to Del Norte, Humboldt, Siskiyou and Trinity Counties.
Mt. Diablo County - Created in 1850; changed to Contra Costa County.
Patuah County - Created on paper in 1852, on land that was to have been ceded to California in what later became Nevada. Carsonville would have been its county seat. California never got the land, so the county (still only on paper) was abolished in 1859.
San Jose County - Original name of Santa Clara County. Formed in 1850, and renamed later.
Oro County - Created in 1850, as one of California's original counties, and later renamed Tuolumne County.
Redding County - Formed in 1850; renamed Shasta County.
COLORADO (3 Ghost Counties)
Carbonate County - Organized in 1861, and later renamed Lake County.
Guadalupe County - Formed in 1861, and later renamed Conejos County.
Uncompahgre County - This county was created in 1877. In 1883, the name was changed to Ouray.
DELAWARE (2 Ghost Counties)
Deale County - This county was created in 1682. The next year, it was renamed Sussex County.
St. Jones County - Created in 1682. The same year, name was changed to Kent.
FLORIDA (4 Ghost Counties)
Benton County - Created in 1843, this county became Hernando County in 1850. Part of this was seperated to form Pasco County in 1887.
Mosquito County - This county was created in 1824, and stretched from the area where Orlando is now south to Lake Okeechobee. The 1830 census of Mosquito County showed 15 families and 733 residents, most of whom were slaves. The 1840 census showed the population to still be mostly slaves. The only whites were the soldiers stationed at New Smyrna and Fort Pierce. Neither census included the Indian population. It was renamed Orange County in 1845. (Info courtesy www.ona1a.com) Enterprise was the county seat from 1843-1845.
New River County - Located near Jacksonville in northern Florida, this county was created in 1858. It was renamed Bradford County in 1861.
St. Lucas County - Created in 1844. Name changed to Brevard in 1855.
GEORGIA (5 Ghost Counties)
Campbell County - This county was created in 1828, with Fairburn as its county seat. Campbell County was located to the northeast of Coweta County, and southeast of Fulton County (Atlanta). In 1932, Campbell County ceased to be, being incorporated into Fulton County.
Cass County - Located in northwest Georgia, Cass County was created in 1832. It was renamed Bartow County in 1861.
Kinchafoonee County - Organized in 1853 from part of Stewart County. Renamed Webster County in 1856.
Milton County - This county, located north of Fulton and De Kalb Counties, was created in 1857. Its county seat was Alpharetta. In 1911, it was dissolved and became part of Fulton County.
Randolph County - Created in either 1807 or 1808, it was changed to Jasper County in 1812. Another Randolph County (in Southwest Georgia) was created in 1828.
IDAHO (1 Ghost County)
Alturas County - One of Idaho's original counties, Alturas was formed in 1863. It was discontinued around 1895, becoming part of Lincoln and Blaine Counties.
ILLINOIS (1 Ghost County)
Dane County - Created in 1839, this county was renamed Christian in 1840.
INDIANA (1 Ghost County)
Richardville County - Created about 1844, and later renamed Howard County.
IOWA (6 Ghost Counties)
Buncombe County - Created in 1851, its name was changed to Lyon County in 1862.
Fox County - Created in 1855, the name was changed to Calhoun County.
Kishkekosh County - Created in 1843 and named for a Fox Indian chief, the name was changed in 1846 to Monroe.
Risley County - Named for a Spanish-American War captain, this county was organized in 1851, and became Webster County two years later. For further information on Risley County, see www.netins.net/showcase/marjned/risley.html.
Slaughter County - Founded in 1837, it was changed to Washington County in 1839.
Wahkaw County - Another short life... this county, formed in 1851, was renamed Woodbury County in 1853.
Yell County - Named for a Spanish-American War captain, Yell County bordered Risley County to the west.
KANSAS (21 Ghost Counties)
Arapahoe County - Formed 1860 or before; discontinued 1880 or later.
Billings County - Norton County (in Northwest Iowa) was renamed Billings County from 1873 to 1874.
Breckenridge County - This county, created in 1857, was renamed Lyon County sometime after 1860.
Buffalo County - Formerly Foote County, would eventually become Gary County.
Calhoun County - Created in 1855; changed to Jackson County after the Civil War.
Davis County - Created in 1871 or 1875 from part of Riley County. In 1888, name changed to Geary County.
Dorn County - Created in 1855. Name was changed to Neosho in 1861.
Foote County - Original name of Gray County.
Garfield County - Became part of Finney County in 1893.
Godfrey County - This county, created in 1855, became Seward County in 1861.
Howard County - Created in 1875; the same year it weas split into Elk and Chautauqua Counties.
Hunter County - Original name of Cowley County.
Lykins County - Organized in 1855. its county seat was Paola. Named in honor of Dr. David Lykins. who was a missionary among the Miami Indians. He was also a member of the first Territorial Council. Name changed in 1861 to Miami, named for the tribe.
Madison County - Created in 1860, Madison County was divided up between Lyon and Morris Counties.
McGhee County - Original name (?) of Cherokee County.
Otoe County - Discontinued sometime after 1860.
Richardson County - Formed in 1855; renamed Wabaunsee County in 1859.
St. John County - Chartered in 1881 as St. John County, became Logan County in 1887.
Sequoyah County - One of the early names of Gray County.
Shirley County - Original name of Cloud County.
Weller County - Original name of Osage County.
Wise County - Original name of Morris County.
KENTUCKY (1 Ghost County)
Josh Bell County - Discontinued sometime after 1870.
LOUISIANA (5 Ghost Parishes)
Attakaps Parish - One of the state's original parishes, created in 1807, it was discontinued sometime after 1810.
Baton Rouge Parish - Created in 1807; divided into East Baton Rouge and West Baton Rouge in 1810.
Carroll Parish - Created sometime before 1840, and divided into East and West Carroll Pasishes in 1877.
Feliciana Parish - Another divided parish. This one, created before 1820, was divided in 1877 into (you guessed it) East and West Feliciana.
Opelousas Parish - Created sometime before 1810 and later dissolved.
MARYLAND (1 Ghost County)
Patuxent County - One of Maryland's original counties. Formed in 1654, the name was changed to Calvert in 1658.
MICHIGAN (21 Ghost Counties)
Aishcum County - Created 1840; name changed to Lake County in 1843.
Anamickee County - This county, created in 1831, was renamed Alpena in 1843.
Bleeker County - Founded in 1861; renamed Menominee two years later.
Cheonoquet County - Created in 1840 and renamed Montmorency in 1843.
Des Moines County - This county was abolished sometime after it's founding in 1834.
Isle Royale County - This island in Lake Superior, close to the shoreline of Ontario, was formed as a county in 1875. It was eliminated in 1897, and became part of Keweenaw County.
Kanotin County - Formed in 1840; renamed Iosco in the Great Renaming of 1843.
Kautawaubet County - Another county renamed in 1843. Founded in 1840, renamed Wexford in 1843.
Kaykakee County - Formed in 1840. In 1843 it became Clare County.
Manitou County - This county was created in 1855, and disbanded in 1895.
Meegisee County - Created in 1840; renamed Antrim in 1843.
Michilimackinac County - Created in 1818; renamed Mackinac in 1843.
Mikenauk County - Another 1843 victim. This county, created in 1840, became Roscommon County in 1843.
Neewago County - Formed in 1840; renamed Alcona in 1843.
Notipekago County - Formed in 1840; renamed Mason in 1843.
Okkuddo County - Formed in 1840; renamed Otsego in 1843.
Reshkauko County - Created in 1840, and renamed Charlevoix in 1843.
Shawano County - Renamed Crawford, naybe in 1843.
Tonedagana County - Formed in 1840; renamed Emmet in 1843.
Unwattin County - Created in 1840; renamed Osceola in 1843.
Wabassee County - The last, alphabetically, of the counties renamed in 1843. This one, created in 1840, became Kalkaska County.
MINNESOTA (12 Ghost Counties)
Andy Johnson County - This county was created in 1858 as Toombs, renamed Andy Johnson the same year, and renamed Wilkin in 1868.
Breckenridge County - Created in 1858, and renamed Clay in 1862.
Buchanan County - Created 1857 or before; dissolved sometime in 1860 or later.
Doty County - Became Lake and (part of) Saint Louis Counties in 1856.
Johnson County - Became part of Wilkin County.
Mankahta County - Discontinued after 1850.
Monongalia County - Created 1860 or before; discontinued 1870 or later.
Pembina County - Created 1850 or before; changed to Kittson in 1878.
Pierce County - Created about 1857 (maybe sooner); disorganized after 1860.
Superior County - Changed to (part of) Saint Louis County in 1855/1856.
Toombs County - Original name of Andy Johnson and (later) Wilkin Counties.
Wahnata County - Dissolved 1850 or later.
MISSISSIPPI (3 Ghost Counties)
Colfax County - Created in 1871, and renamed Clay County in 1876.
Pickering County - One of the state's original counties, Pickering was created in 1799. It was renamed Jefferson in 1808.
Sumner County - Created in 1874; renamed Webster in 1882.
MISSOURI (14 Ghost Counties)
Allen County - Formed about 1843, and renamed Atchison in 1845.
Arkansas County - Created around 1813, and abolished in 1819 when the Arkansas Territory was formed.
Ashley County - Created in 1845, and renamed Texas County the same year.
Clark County - Not the current Clark County, this original one was created in 1818 but never officially organized. It was abolished in 1819 when the Arkansas Territory was formed.
Decatur County - Ozark County, created in 1841, was renamed Decatur County from 1843 to 1845, then Ozark County again in 1845.
Dodge County - This county was created in 1851, but discuntinued two years later. When the Iowa Territory was created, Dodge County lost land, bringing its total area under the 400 square-mile minimum required by the state constitution. The remainder became part of Putnam County.
Hempstead County - Created in 1818; abolished when Arkansas Territory established in 1819.
Kinderhook County - Formed in 1841, and renamed Camden on 23 February 1843.
Lawrence County - Formed in 1815 from part of New Madrid County; Abolished in 1818. Another Lawrence County was established in 1845.
Lillard County - Created in 1820 from part of Cooper County, it was renamed LaFayette on 16 February 1825.
Niangua County - Created in 1842. On 10 December 1844, its boundaries were redrawn and the county was renamed Dallas.
Pulaski County - Created in 1818; abolished when Arkansas Territory established in 1819.
Rives County - Created about 1834, and renamed Henry County on 15 October 1841.
Van Buren County - Formed in 1835, but renamed Cass on 19 February 1849.
Vernon County - Created by an act of the state legislature on 15 February 1851, and covering the same territory as Bates County, formed ten years earlier. For that reason it was declared unconstitutional, and was reformed (correctly) on 27 February 1855.
NEBRASKA (13 Ghost Counties)
Blackbird County - Created around 1865, it became part of Burt County, and later Thurston County.
Calhoun County - Created before 1860; renamed Saunders on 8 January 1862.
Emmett County - Created on 18 February 1867 from L'Eau Qui Court. Name changed to Knox on 21 February 1873.
Forney County - Formed in 1854, and renamed Nemaha sometime later.
Greene County - Formed in 1855, this county was renamed Seward on 3 January 1862.
Izard County - Renamed Stanton.
Jackson County - Discontinued sometime after 1870.
Jones County - Discontinued sometime after 1860.
L'Eau Qui Court County - Created sometime prior to 1860, and renamed Emmett on 18 February 1867.
Shorter County - Formed sometime before 1860. Renamed Lincoln on 11 December 1861.
Taylor County - Created prior to 1870; discontinued.
West County - Changed to Holt County on 9 January 1862.
Winnebago Indian Reservation County - Discontinued 1870 or later.
NEVADA (4 Ghost Counties)
Carson County - Discontinued sometime after 1860.
Pahute County - Discontinued sometime after 1870.
Roop County - Discontinued sometime after 1870.
St. Mary's County - Discontinued sometime after 1860.
NEW YORK (2 Ghost Counties)
Charlotte County - Created in 1772. Twelve years later, it was renamed Washington County.
Tryon County - Created in 1772. It was changed to Montgomery in 1784.
NORTH CAROLINA (7 Ghost Counties)
Albemarle County - One of North Carolina's three original counties, Albemarle was formed in 1663. It was abolished in 1739.
Archdale County - Created in 1705, and renamed Beaufort seven years later.
Bath County - Formed in 1696, and discontinued in 1739.
Bute County - Created in 1764; discontinued 1779.
Dobbs County - Created in 1758; discontinued in 1791.
Glasgow County - Created 1791; discontinued 1799.
Tryon County - Formed in 1768. It was discontinued in 1779. Parts went to Lincoln and Rutherford Counties.
NORTH DAKOTA (9 Ghost Counties)
Allred County - Designated, but never organized. It eventually became part of McKenzie County (about 1905).
Buffalo County - Discontinued in 1873; divided up to form Burleigh, Kidder, Logan, McHenry, Rolette, and parts of Gringras and Sheridan Counties.
Burbank County - Disorganized; the land became parts of Traill and Griggs Counties.
Dunn County - Formed in 1883 (from parts of Howard County ?); annexed to Stark County in 1897; reformed as Dunn County in 1908.
Gringras County - Created in 1872 from parts of Buffalo County and the Dakota Territory. Renamed Wells in 1882.
McKenzie County - Created in 1883, and transferred to Billings in 1897. Reformed as McKenzie County in 1905.
Renville County - Created in 1873 from parts of Buffalo County and the Dakota Territory. Part was taken to form Ward County in 1885. More land was taken for Bottineau and Ward Counties in 1894. Renville County was reformed from part of Ward County in 1910.
Sheridan County - Created in 1873 from parts of Buffalo County and the Dakota Territory. Land was annexed to McLean County in 1887 and 1891. The county was reformed in 1909.
Wallace County - Disorganized; became part of McKenzie County.
OKLAHOMA (1 Ghost County)
Day County - Created in 1892; abolished in 1906. Part was annexed to Ellis County.
OREGON (5 Ghost Counties)
Champoeg County - Organized in 1843, and later renamed Marion.
Clark County - Created prior to 1850; now part of the State of Washington.
Lewis County - Created prior to 1850; now part of the State of Washington.
Twality County - One of Oregon's original counties, formed in 1843, this was renamed Washington in 1849.
Umpqua County - Created in 1851 from parts of Benton and Linn Counties; parts annexed to Douglas County in 1852 and 1862/63.
PENNSYLVANIA (1 Ghost County)
Ontario County - Created in 1812, and renamed Bradford the same year.
SOUTH CAROLINA (15 Ghost Counties)
Berkeley County - One of South Carolina's three original counties, Berkeley District was formed in 1683, and discontinued sometime later. Not the same as the current Berkeley County.
Camden District - Created in 1769; discontinued.
Carteret County - Formed in 1683; renamed Granville in 1700; later discontinued.
Cheraws District - Formed in 1769, and later discontinued, this county became parts of Chesterfield and Darlington Counties.
Claremont County - Created sometime prior to 1800; abolished after 1810.
Colleton County - Another of the original three counties, created in 1683. Abolished.
Craven County - The last of the original three counties; Created in 1683, and later discontinued.
Granville District - Originally Carteret County; discontinued.
Liberty County - Discontinued sometime after 1800.
Ninety-Six District - Formed in 1769, and later dissolved.
Orange County - Discontinued sometime after 1800.
Pendleton County - Created in 1798; discontinued after 1820.
Pickney District - Formed in 1793; abolished.
Salem County - Created before 1800; dsicontinued sometime after 1810.
Washington District - Formed in 1793, and dissolved about 1826.
Winyaw County - Created before 1800; dsicontinued sometime after 1810.
SOUTH DAKOTA (14 Ghost Counties)
Armstrong County - Created from the Dakota Territory in 1873; discontinued and incorporated into Hutchinson County 1879. Created again in 1895 from part of Pratt County, and abolished again in 1952. Land became part of Dewey, Haakon and Ziebach Counties.
Boreman County - Established in 1873, discontinued in 1909 and became part of Corson County.
Bruguier County - Unclear... may have been created and discontinued both in 1862. Later became Brule and Charles Mix Counties.
Burdick County - Created in 1883; abolished 1889.
Choteau County - Created in 1883; abolished 1898.
Cole County - Formed in 1862; renamed Union County on 7 January 1864.
Delano County - Created in 1875, and abolished in 1898.
Ewing County - Formed in 1883, split up in 1894.
Greeley County - Created 1873; discontinued 1879.
Rusk County - Formed from unorganized territory in 1873. Renamed Dewey in 1883, and officially organized in 1910.
Todd County - Created on 9 March 1909; never organized.
Wagner County - Established in 1883, and abolished in 1897. Continues on in what is now Perkins County.
Washabaugh County - Created in 1883; entire county was part of Rine Ridge Indian Reservation. This is now part of Jackson County. More information can be found at
Washington County - Created from part of Shannon County,1883; part of Rine Ridge Indian Reservation; became part of Bennett County in 1909.
TENNESSEE (3 Ghost Counties)
Lewis County - Created in 1843, then completely abolished for a year following the Civil War. It became a part of Maury, Lawrence, Hickman and Wayne Counties for that year. The following year it was reorganized, and is still in existance today. (NOT A TRUE GHOST COUNTY)
Tennessee County - This county was created in 1788 as part of the State of Franklin. When Tennessee was created in 1796, the county surrendered its name. It was divided up among Stewart, Houston and other counties.
Wayne County - Created in 1785 as part of the State of Franklin. Abolished in 1788.
TEXAS (4 Ghost Counties)
Buchanan County - Created 1860; became part of Stephens County in 1861.
Davis County - Created in 1846, and renamed Cass in 1871.
Encinal County - Created sometime prior to 1860, and dissolved at some point after 1870.
Navasota County - Formed in 1841; renamed Brazos the next year.
VIRGINIA (13 Ghost Counties)*
Charles River County - Created in 1634 as one of Virginia's original shires. It was later renamed York.
Dunmore County - Created in 1772, and renamed Shenandoah six years later.
Fincastle County - Formed in 1772, and abolished in 1777.
Illinois County - Created from Augusta County in 1778. It was abolished in 1784.
Kentucky County - Created from Fincastle after that county was discontinued in 1777. Three years later, Kentucky County was booted.
Lower Norfolk County - Created in 1637 from New Norfolk. Later became part of Norfolk, then Princess Anne.
New Norfolk County - Created in 1636, with Elizabeth City as its seat of government. It was discontinued at some later time.
Norfolk County - Created in 1636. In 1963, it was renamed Chesapeake City.
Rappahannock County - Located along the Rappahannock River in eastern Virginia, this county was dissolved in 1692. Another Rappahannock County was created in 1833, in northern Virginia.
Upper Norfolk County - Formed in 1637, this one was renamed Nansemond.
Warrosquoyacke County - Created in 1634, and renamed Isle of Wight three years later.
Warrick County - Warwick County was created in 1634, and existed up until 1953, when it became part of Newport News.
Yohogania County - Created in 1776 from Augusta County; discontinued in 1786.
*The fifty original West Virginia counties were once part of Virginia.
WASHINGTON (3 Ghost Counties)
Chehalis County - An original county, created in 1854. Renamed Gray's Harbor in 1915.
Sawamish County - Became Mason County.
Vancouver County - Created in 1844, and renamed Clark County in 1849.
WISCONSIN (5 Ghost Counties)
Bad Ax County - This colorfully named county, created in 1851, was renamed Vernon in 1862.
Dallas County - Formed in 1859, and ten years later renamed Barron.
Gates County - Formed from Chippewa County in 1901. It became Rusk County in 1905.
La Pointe County - Established in 1845, La Pointe County was renamed Bayfield in 1866.
New County - New County was a new county in 1880. The same year, it became Longlade County, and New County became a ghost county.
WYOMING (2 Ghost Counties)
Carter County - One of Wyoming's original counties, formed in 1867, this was renamed Sweetwater on 13 December 1869.
Pease County - Created in 1875. Name changed to Johnson on 13 December 1879.
