Ghost towns have a special kind of charm. They’re like stepping into a time machine, offering a glimpse into the past. Texas is home to many of these fascinating places, each with its own unique history and a touch of mystery. In this article, we will take you on a tour of the top ghost towns in Texas. Get ready to explore their intriguing stories and discover what makes each one special.
Terlingua
Terlingua is nestled in the Big Bend region of Texas, near the Mexican border. This town boomed in the early 1900s thanks to its quicksilver (mercury) mines. The Chisos Mining Company employed hundreds of workers, many of whom lived in simple, stacked-rock structures that still stand today. Quicksilver mining peaked by the end of World War I.
The name Terlingua has been used for three different settlements in this area, with the current one established after the discovery of quicksilver in the late 1800s. Today, many of the original mining buildings house saloons, eateries, and small shops, and some of the tiny rock structures have been restored as residences for Big Bend’s desert dwellers.
When you visit Terlingua, you can explore the old mining ruins and even stay in a ghost town-themed hotel. Don’t miss the Terlingua Cemetery, which has some fascinating old graves. One unique thing about Terlingua is its annual Chili Cookoff, which draws people from all over and brings the ghost town back to life with excitement and flavor.
Toyah
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In West Texas, near where I-10 and I-20 meet, you’ll find Toyah, the oldest town in Reeves County. Originally a trading post for ranchers, it became a busy railroad hub for the Texas & Pacific Railroad in the late 1800s. However, after the Great Depression, many families left, and the town never bounced back. Its population dropped from a peak of 1,052 in 1910 to 61 by 2020.
When visiting Toyah, you can see the remnants of old buildings and imagine what life was like during its heyday. The old Toyah School and the historic church are some of the key attractions. One interesting tidbit about Toyah is that it was once a stop for cattle drives along the Goodnight-Loving Trail, adding a bit of cowboy history to its story.
Indian Gap
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Indian Gap is a small abandoned town located about two hours south of Fort Worth, between Priddy and Pottsville in Hamilton County. It got its name from a nearby pass used by Native American tribes long before settlers arrived. It was lively in the late 1800s and early 1900s but was eventually deserted.
Today, you can still see the columns of the old schoolhouse and the remains of weathered buildings. Its unique feature is its beautiful natural surroundings, which make it an excellent spot for a quiet, reflective visit.
Interestingly, the Indian Gap Baptist Church is still active, with a small congregation meeting on Sundays and Wednesdays. If you’re interested in experiencing a church service in a ghost town, this is the place to go.
Indianola
Indianola, located in Calhoun County on Matagorda Bay, was originally known as Karlshafen and later as Indian Point. It served as a deep-water port during the Mexican-American War and was a key landing point for European immigrants.
The town’s first post office opened in 1847, and stagecoach service began the next year, connecting Indianola to the rest of Texas. By 1849, it was renamed Indianola and became the county seat of Calhoun County. By 1874, Indianola had over 5,000 residents, was the second-largest port in Texas, and was a terminal for the Morgan steamship line. However, a powerful hurricane in 1875 devastated the town, and despite efforts to rebuild, another hurricane hit the town in 1886, followed by a fire. The post office was permanently closed the next year, and the town was declared dead.
Today, history enthusiasts can visit the remnants of this once-thriving town, including the old cistern, the original courthouse location, and the town marker. Many artifacts from Indianola’s heyday, such as medicine bottles, porcelain dolls, inkwells, and clay pipes, have been preserved and can be seen as a glimpse into its past. One of the main attractions is the Indianola Cemetery, which has graves dating back to its early days.
Old Bluffton
Old Bluffton is located about an hour northwest of Austin in Burnet County. While new Bluffton exists today, the original town lies 30 feet underwater in Lake Buchanan. In the 1800s, Old Bluffton was home to around 50 families until the Buchanan Dam project, completed in 1937, brought electricity to the Texas Hill Country and flooded the town.
In 1984, a severe drought caused Old Bluffton to resurface from Lake Buchanan. The remains of homes, tombstones, a bank, and the town’s hotel, all preserved by years underwater, become visible when lake levels drop.
History buffs and ghost town enthusiasts can learn more about the area on a Lake Buchanan tour. This ghost town occasionally reappears from underwater, like a hidden treasure that comes and goes with the changing water levels. Just remember, even during droughts, the submerged artifacts are protected by the Texas Historical Commission and should not be taken.
Glenrio
Glenrio is a ghost town that straddles the Texas-New Mexico border. It was once a bustling stop along Route 66, filled with diners, motels, and gas stations. It was founded in 1901 by the many railroads that crossed through it. Though its actual population did not exceed a few dozen, the diners, motels, and cafes stayed in business, thanks to the steady influx of tourists passing through Route 66.
Today, all that remains in this ghost town are a few abandoned, dilapidated buildings, like the diner, a café, and the State Line Motel. The Route 66 nostalgia is strong here, making it a fun spot for history buffs and road trip enthusiasts.
Fun fact: Glenrio’s single dusty road was featured in the movie “The Grapes of Wrath,” adding a bit of Hollywood history to its charm.
Sherwood
Sherwood is often described as one of the most picturesque ghost towns in Texas. In the 1870s, ranchers settled around the tree-lined banks of Spring Creek, and by 1881, a post office named Sherwood was established, named after a former landowner. In 1889, Sherwood became the seat of Iron County.
However, the town’s decline began in 1911 when the Kansas City, Mexico, and Orient Railroad bypassed Sherwood, creating a new railroad town called Mertzon. Mertzon, with its railroad and new state highway, drew away much of Sherwood’s commerce, weakening its economic base. 1936 Iron County’s citizens voted to move the county seat to Mertzon.
Today, Sherwood is a quiet rural community, but it still boasts its magnificent courthouse, built in 1901, which has a tower with a false clock set to the supposed time of Abraham Lincoln’s death. There are also a few other historical buildings and a charming small-town feel.
The Grove
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The Grove, located two hours south of Fort Worth, is a tourist-friendly ghost town in Texas. It features a handful of well-maintained, picturesque buildings that make it easy to find on any map. While exploring, you might even meet a few friendly neighbors, as it’s not entirely abandoned.
Founded in the late 19th century and named for its live oak trees, The Grove was once a thriving community with a general store, several cotton gins, and a blacksmith shop. The general store, called Dube’s, is now owned by descendants of the original townspeople. Though it once housed a museum filled with antiques used by film companies, the building is currently closed, with a note suggesting it might reopen in the future.
There’s still plenty to see, including the blacksmith shop, a filling station with a period gas pump, and several other buildings over a century old. In the town’s center, you’ll find a water well, built in the 19th century with a pick and crowbar, which is still in use today.
Belle Plain
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Belle Plain was once a bustling town in Texas. It was founded in 1876 and is considered one of the most promising towns in West Texas. It had a variety of stores, saloons, a jail, a hotel, and even a newspaper called the Callahan County Clarendon.
The pride of Belle Plain was its college, one of the first higher education institutions in West Texas. However, like many other frontier towns, Belle Plain was bypassed by railroad construction, leading to a rapid decline. The loss of traffic and commerce hit hard, and the city struggled for a few more years. The college closed in 1892, and by 1907, the town was essentially abandoned when its post office was deactivated.
Today, Belle Plain is a ghost town with little remaining. The ruins of its buildings and a few foundations are all that’s left, silent reminders of a once-thriving community. The town’s cemetery is the only public space still accessible, with the rest of the remnants now on private property.
Stiles
Stiles was once a bustling town and the county seat of Reagan County, Texas. However, when the railroad bypassed it and oil was discovered near Big Lake, Stiles was quickly overshadowed by its neighbor and lost its status as the county seat.
Founded in 1903, Stiles was the only town in the county at the time and served as the county seat for 22 years. But as times changed, Stiles was left behind. Today, Stiles is a ghost town, a testament to the boom-and-bust cycles that have defined the American West.
Visitors to Stiles can see the old courthouse and a few remaining buildings. Although only a few crumbling foundations remain, visitors can still get a sense of what life was like in this once-thriving community. The courthouse is particularly interesting, standing alone in the vast Texas landscape. The quiet, isolated feel of Stiles makes it a poignant stop for those exploring Texas ghost towns.
Independence
The town of Independence was named in honor of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was founded in the early 1830s and was once an essential educational and religious center. Its most famous resident was Sam Houston, who lived there from 1853 to 1858. Independence is also the birthplace of Baylor University, although the construction of the college was never finished due to the town’s economic downturn.
In Independence, you can explore the ruins of the Baylor Female Building, as well as old homes, a dilapidated hotel, and a spooky cemetery. This combination of historic structures makes Independence one of Texas’s most haunted ghost towns.
Conclusion
Texas ghost towns are full of fascinating history and unique attractions. Each town has its own story, from bustling pasts to quiet present-day remnants. Visiting these towns is like stepping back in time and experiencing a piece of Texas history firsthand.
We encourage you to explore these ghost towns and discover their charm for yourself. They offer a glimpse into the past and a deeper understanding of Texas’s rich cultural heritage. So, pack your bags, hit the road, and start your adventure through the intriguing ghost towns of Texas!
