Just four structures dating from before 1880 escaped total destruction. In contrast to the aftermath of the 1881 fire, when the town was swiftly reconstructed, it's unlikely Greenville will ever be rebuilt to any great extent, as many of the homes and businesses were denied fire insurance. And even if it is, the process will no doubt take years, rendering the community a ghost town in the meantime.

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Fool’s gold: cocktail of heavy metals poisoned this once idyllic village