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Conashaugh, Pennsylvania is a ghost town in Delaware Township, Pike County, Pennsylvania between Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania, Milford, Pennsylvania and Birchwood Lakes, Pennsylvania. It is along the Delaware River bordering New Jersey and is now a part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. It was originally occupied by American Civil War Deserters, and is now considered a ghost town due to the decline of its original population.

History
A ghost town is a town is a town that was once popular because of a natural resource or historical event but has died down due to depletion of that source. . Conashaugh, Pennsylvania was settled by American Civil War deserters. . Desertion was a major issue in the Civil War, and many resided in Conashaugh. There is little research and historical evidence in Conashaugh to document these deserters. Desertion is when soldiers leave the forces without permission from a standing officer.

There is not much evidence of historical events in the actual town on Conashaugh physically. Many online talk about the lack of evidence and historical plaques in the city as well as information on its past in general. Further research can be on in the Pennsylvania Land Records. There is also the Pennsylvania State Archives that could hold information on former soldiers in the area during the time.

For more information on desertion and the social impacts it has left on soldier and armys, Ella Lonn's book "Desertion During the Civil War" as well as an article by D.L. Costa and M.E. Kahn in "The Journal of Law and Economics called "Deserters, Social Norms, and Migration" could lend informatoin towards how they landed in Conashaugh as a landing space.

Current Status
The census-town of Conashaugh Lakes, Pennsylvania had a population of 1,350 residents as of the 2015 Census. Conashaugh is currently apart of the Delaware River Water Gap National Recreation Area <ref “Explore Parks.” Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.National Park Foundation. Web. 13 September 2017. https://www.nationalparks.org/explore-parks/delaware-water-gap-national-recreation-area. Visitors often come for Conashaugh Lakes.

Real Estate is still up in the town however as it hopes to grow. Websites like Zillow and other real estate listing sites have homes for sale in the area advertised. . Conashaugh Lakes Association also works to try and bring tourists and potential residents around for the Conashaugh lakes and other natural attractions the city has to offer. . The population has slowly been growing since the last census and appears to be slowly growing and moving out of its ghost town label.

The Delaware River Water Gap Recreation area is a part of the National Parks Department and is maintained through them. It includes a large are of land surrounding the Delaware River. A book by H. Taylor was published in 2015 which includes beautiful photos of the area and river.