Ogilby

Ogilby is a ghost town tucked into Imperial County, California, sitting at 356 feet above sea level along the old Southern Pacific Railroad corridor. County Road S34 provides access from Interstate 8, with the townsite lying about 3.8 miles north of that junction. The location places it roughly 42 miles east of El Centro, deep in the arid lowlands of southeastern California.

The U.S. Geological Survey officially classifies Ogilby as a populated place, and the name carries a formal federal designation with an assigned feature ID. In practical terms, visitors today find a quiet, largely empty stretch of desert with the remnants of a once-active railroad community. It rewards those drawn to forgotten corners of the American West, particularly photographers and history-minded travelers willing to explore on their own terms.

Access is straightforward via paved and county roads, but the desert setting demands preparation. Summer heat in this low-elevation basin can be punishing, making cooler months the far better choice for a visit.