I plan on walking swiftly and seeking interesting historical or intriguing sites/sights near or off the Appalachian Trail for my thru hike. I might camp near the spot and then check it out in the morning before returning to the trail.

Do you know of any abandoned mines or ghost towns with early US historical value right off the trail? This topic might not be in the every day guides and books so I'd thought I'd throw it out there.

Serious post.