Union Level Ghost Town; A Forgotten Way Station
by Jessica Cole
Have you ever dreamed of what your past life might look like? To venture back centuries and hear the sound of hooves hitting cobblestone – or at the very least, the opportunity to purchase incredibly cheap groceries? Time travel may still be a thing of science fiction, but the ghost town of Union Level in Mecklenburg County, Virginia is a wonderous and eerie substitute.
Established March 1, 1765, Mecklenburg County was named for Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, a British queen consort. The small main street through Union Level once bustled with life. Now, it decays quietly, largely forgotten by the descendants of its inhabitants.
Union Level was filled with townies and travelers alike in the 1840s, when it became a way station for wagons and stagecoaches. As the times changed, it later evolved into a railroad town. Main street boasted several businesses including multiple general stores, a bank and a pharmacy.
During the Great Depression, many of these businesses closed their doors. By the mid-1980s, the train ceased running which resulted in the demolition of the town’s depot.
A 2010 census determined the population to be a mere 188 people, who remain in the surrounding area of Union Level – a far cry from its former glory. The abandoned buildings are far too run-down to be entered and are private property anyway. However, this little strip is still worth the drive.
Lining the buildings’ porches and interiors, which can be seen through broken doors and windows, are antique furniture and objects that onetime inhabitants left to be reclaimed by Mother Nature. A bathtub, a couch and some rusted farm equipment are just a few of the things that languish among the old ruins. Look closely through the growth and you may happen upon an old gas pump still standing, despite the tangle of vines and brambles.
To see these hauntingly beautiful historic structures for yourself, here is an address that will take you there. Remember to be respectful of private property and to take a moment to close your eyes and imagine all the life that once pulsed in this now-ghostly town.
It appears Google Earth did not do any street level imaging since 2008 “for this area” , and that was at the main highway leading into this entire area, past the main highway it has no street level at all. Now as of 2019 the aerial imaging does show the Union Level still standing. Large farming areas that have so many different spurs and roads as this area has was just bypassed by Google do to the time it would take to do street level imaging. They also do not image street level for dead ends. I went back as far as aerial imaging allowed and even for 2020 it still shows the buildings are alive and well. No location on any of these little roads show street level and the one that I did find street level went back several years but soon as I started taking a street level tour it ran into the flat plane at the first eastern turn just before reaching Union Level. It looks nice from the aerial of 2019 and I really love the area for all the farming and seeing that means there is a good chance this Union Level might have a good chance at living for a lot longer. The property is located so that it really has no value to a farmer and seriously no business would be there, just guessing of course but really this all explains how this beautiful place has lasted for so long. ;0)
This was a nice treat. Who doesn’t love a ghost town? And there’s something comforting about watching resilient nature just swallow up a bunch of brick and concrete once humans are finished with it. Awesome blog.
I live in Northern Virginia and I have been to Mecklenburg County, but had no idea that this place was there. Thank you so much for your article and recapturing this interesting place!
Ben,
When were you there? I don’t see these building on Google maps. Is it possible they have already been torn down?
Don,
I visited just last month. The buildings were abandoned before the advent of Google maps, so maybe that is why they don’t appear. The address in the article will take you right to the street they’re located on!
-Jessica
Very haunting and beautiful photos. Love your site!
Wonderful article, the photos are great and tell a story of their own. Most noted for me is the pavement slowly eating the property front. I hope it stops where is now is because really I don’t see any stop and go traffic that would require more right of way. It’s always the right of way that issues the death warrant for history. It’s like life has no respect for we older people and you would think it would at least wait until we’re gone before destroying the things we all once knew and loved. I think life lost the map leading to this wonderful little community, and that might be a great thing. Thanks for the look into the past.