Isolated pockets in the US (living, car, area)

[brightdoglover]

I gather that, in the Colorado City example, the authorities were not only aware of the polygamist group, they were part of it.
(Spent time in Kanab, where some people had moved for a more liberal Mormon environment, not to mention a legal one).

[jtur88]

Kaskaskia Illinois found itself on the wrong side of the Mississippi River in 1881, and had no natural connection with Illinois or Randolph County except a 30 mile drive through Missouri and across a ferry and later a bridge. So it found itself with no law enforcement or other kinds of accessible civic structures. Kaskaskia was nearly depopulated, but the population increased from 9 to 14 in the last census, so maybe that 50% increase constitutes a boom town. Compared to its 2000 population of 9, Wikipedia lists 7 "notable people" who were from Kaskaskia, including the first black representative ever elected to Congress, a Civil War general, and a Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.

[slowlane3]

In very northern Maine in the border towns, (Saint _?_ River Valley area) people still speak French more than they do English. They are much closer to populated Francophone areas of Canada, but are several hours drive from any Anglophone towns in Maine.

And what about some of the western Indian reservations, like the Navahos, where they still speak native languages and have their own native governments. Not to mention the Eskimo's.

[kevike]

You might find the Irish Travelers interesting.

[jtur88]

Gibsonton, Florida, once, but I don't know it's present status. It was populated almost entirely by circus and carnival workers.

[MrPHX]

For larger cities, Seattle and Portland feel very isolated.

As far as smaller cities that feel completely isolated, I would say everywhere in Nevada outside of Las Vegas and Reno feels isolated.

[ram2]

Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan.

[cry_havoc]

Parts of Southern WV.

They are a few hours from some cities, but arent really linked economically, culturally, or in any ways and the inhabitants often rarely leave.

[workaholics]

Sapelo Island is pretty unique. It's one of the few islands left where people have the gullah/geechee accent.

Cumberland Island is isolated too. There are only like 3 inhabited homes on the island and it's only accessible by boat.

[garmin239]

Originally Posted by hinher

I hesitate to bring this up because it could easily turn into a bashing thread which is not my intention. I am interested in places that, whether intentionally or unintentionally, are isolated from the rest of America. Place where the the people mind there own business and expect the rest of the world to do the same. I have recently discovered both Oniontown and Allentown, New York, which both are similar to what I'm interested in. I'm also familiar with try-racial isolate groups, some of which isolate themselves to varying extents. Lastly, Colorado City, Arizona seemed to do a good job of keeping the rest of the world out of their business for a number of years.


Are there any other examples or stories you guys would like to share?

Allentown is just a couple roads that contain some run down houses. No freaky hill people like all the rumors.