Bouse

Tucked into La Paz County, Arizona, Bouse began as a mining camp in 1908 under the name Brayton — a nod to store owner John Brayton Martin — before eventually taking on its current identity. Today it occupies an unusual middle ground: officially a census-designated place with a recorded population of 996 as of 2010, yet still carrying the ghost-town label that reflects its quiet, faded character.

The local economy rests on tourism, agriculture, and a retiree community, giving Bouse a lived-in but low-key atmosphere rather than the total abandonment visitors might expect from a true ghost town. Travelers who make the trip to this corner of Arizona will find a small desert settlement with historical roots worth exploring, though the experience is understated by nature.