When the local mine closed the entire town of Empire, Nevada shut down too (Video by David Botti. Some outside observers have been quick to draw apocalyptic lessons from America's recent economic woes. But here in the Black Rock Desert, in remote north-western Nevada, it truly is the end of Empire.
The former company town, built around a gypsum mine and drywall plant, is fenced off and silent. Inhabitants gone, houses empty, plant idle. A year ago, more than 300 people lived here in a bustling community that boasted two churches, a golf course and swimming pool. But demand for gypsum-based wallboard had already collapsed with the downturn in the construction industry and the plant, which had been in continuous operation since the 1920s, was no longer viable.
When the United States Gypsum Corporation announced that operations would cease at the end of December 2010, the town's residents were told they had until the end of the school year to move out. Bit by bit, over the months that followed, Empire died.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15360661Good long read at link, 350 people lost their houses and they've fenced off the town!
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