Mar 2021

Millican Ghost Town

Millican is a small ghost town located in the high desert of Central Oregon consisting of just an abandoned general store building and a gas station sign. It is easily accessible - located just 30 minutes southeast of Bend on the roadside of U.S. Route 20. I made a visit during sunset to scout out this location.

Abandoned Millican Store building in Oregon and old gas station sign at sunset — Millican Store & Old Gas Station Sign

Considering that the main Millican Store building faces north-northeast, combined with the fact that the closest source of any major light pollution (Klamath Falls and Medford) is over 150 miles away, this is an ideal location for Milky Way photography in the summer.

Old gas station sign at the Millican Ghost Town in Oregon during twilight

The town was initially established as a ranch by George Millican in the late 1880s and later grew to include a gas station, general store, and post office. After Millican sold the town in 1916, ownership of the town changed hands numerous times in the 1900s and early 2000s.

Side view of the abandoned Millican Store building in Milican, Oregon with snow-capped mountains and sunset in the background — Side view of the Millican Store

Close-up view of the abandoned Millican Store signage with yellow and orange wispy clouds in the background during sunset — Close-up view of the Millican Store sign

When I visited in 2021, a single caretaker lives on-site in a small home next to the abandoned store, seen in the background of this photo.

Abandoned Millican Store building in Oregon and old gas station sign at sunset with yellow and orange wispy clouds in the background