The first weekend of any month on that Saturday ,vendors gather in Indianola which draws a crowd from a surprising amount of cities and towns from Corpus Christi to Galveston to San Antonio and in-between. A small but vibrant community grew here in rural Texas until the 1930s, but today, it's little more than a ghost town. The Old Courthouse with many old artifacts about the town and area. The most famous of the New Mexico ghost towns are the semi-ghost tourist locations like Shakespeare and steins. It had a post office, courthouse, and other amenities. We missed the rains but it was soaked Everywhere. One of these is a stretch of rugged country road called Bragg Road, in Saratoga, southeast Texas. Located 85 miles southwest of Fort Worth, Carlton is a quaint little town with a rich history. Location: 79785 Distance from san Antonio: ~ 6 hrs. ), 7 Cool Things to Do in Terlingua Ghost Town (+ FAQ), 35+ Best Places to Visit in Texas (Cool Vacation Spots! We may never know the stories of these decaying, mysterious buildings, but we can always visit them and wonder what went on inside the four walls of these oddly beautiful old places. This 1895 mansion is open to the public for tours. Eventually, that infrastructure led to a cotton gin and flour mill. Over the years, the town has slowly deteriorated due to time and a lack of visitors. Today, Barstow is only a ghost town with dilapidated buildings and legends of the old west. No evidence exists that this was an actual community, but might have been a train switch stop. In a ghost town at the edge of Gillespie County, the Fredericksburg Oyster Festival brings maritime meals to the Hill Country. The unpredictability of the oil industry, the railroad industry, the mining industry, the agricultural industry, and more have resulted in abandoned towns in Texas left and right. The car will feel very cold in spots. I could only set her down in a few spots since there are rusty nails and screws everywhere, and boards that feel as though they are half gone already. Lobo gets its name from the Mexican wolves that once populated the land, now it sits more or less frozen in time. ), 21 Wacky + Weird Roadside Attractions in Texas, How to Visit St. Martin's in Texas (The World's Smallest Catholic Church!). This site formerly was an H.E.B. Although Indianola became a town in 1853, the citys roots were laid three miles north of Powderhorn Bayou. Located on a dirt road, it is a light that may appear and disappear at random during the dark of night without explanation. Submerged by impoundment of the Hubbard Creek Reservoir. Eventually, they changed the name to Indianola for reasons unknown, but the town's fate was sealed by the horrific hurricanes of 1875 and 1886, plus a tragic fire that burned any remains of the town that the hurricanes didn't blow away. Medicine Mound is named due to its ranging elevations. 54.) Began as a land promotion in 1909. Located between Quanah and Chillicothe, the only remains of Medicine Mound in sight are a general store, gas station, abandoned houses, and three dolomite hills that Indians believed had metaphysical healing powers. . This small town is also home to the worlds most famous chili cook-off. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Houston Date Ideas: 50 Romantic Things to Do in Houston for Couples, How to Visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris, TX (+ Photos & FAQ), 10 Great Texas Gulf Coast RV Parks (Beach Trip Ideas), 10+ Tips for Round Top, TX Shopping Trips (Antiques Fair Advice! Historical cities and towns such as Houston are now riddled with spirits, from the bloody Civil War and beyond. ), 6 Historic Lighthouses in Texas (That You Can Visit! He believed that the waters had healing qualities, so he built the Jackson, Read More 38 Abandoned Places In New York [MAP]Continue, Hidden away in the mountains of North Carolina is a place that is as creepy as it is unique. 8. Catarina is located approximately six miles southwest of Dimmit City and six miles north of Catarina, Texas. The town was incorporated in 1877, and by 1879, it had a population of more than 160. ), 25+ Best Small Towns in Texas (+ Map to Find Them! The stone building behind the car is the old Terlingua jail. The towns population declined in the 1880s after city leaders refused to grant a railroad right of way to the Santa Fe Railroad. Here are some noteworthy Texas ghost towns worth exploring. A nearby town called Mertzon started to grow faster and drew people away. As an Amazon Associate, Lone Star Travel Guide earns from qualifying purchases. The former town is 26.0 miles (41.8 km) southeast of Hallettsville in Lavaca County via FM 530 and County Road 17. In the administrative building of the chemical plant, the apparition of a tall pale man has been seen wandering the corridors. Texas staff writer for Only in Your State, blogger for Power of Positivity, and freelance health, wellness, and travel writer. Among the many haunted places of East Texas are various spooky roads and remote areas that are suffused with scary myths and urban legends, possibly real ghosts. The Light of Saratogais a legend located in the Big Thicketof Southeast Texas. This legend of a mysterious light is also known as the Ghost Road of Saratoga, the Saratoga Light, and Bragg Lightby local residents. The film covers the history of the ghost town and tracks the efforts of its former owner to preserve it and ultimately sell it. It was soon on its way to rival New Orleans. Thats in Terlingua! Explore The Strange Ruins Of Hot Wells Hotel, An Abandoned Spa And Resort In Texas, Visit The Ruins Of An Abandoned WWI Fort Near Galveston, Texas, A Mysterious Trail In Texas Will Take You To The Original Mariscal Mine Ruins, Forgotten Texas: 13 Abandoned Places Nature Is Reclaiming, A Drone Flew High Above An Uninhabited School In Texas And Caught The Most Incredible Footage, The Remote Hike Through Cullinan Park Winds Through A Forest Grove, Boardwalk, And Abandoned Graveyard, Travel Back In Time At La Kiva, A Dinosaur-Themed Restaurant In A Texas Ghost Town, This Tour Of An Abandoned Texas Prison Is An Experience Unlike Any Other. Find museums in Beaumont, TX, Light of Saratoga - Bragg Road Ghost Lights, Jefferson Davis Hospital - Elder Street Artists Lofts, Old Downtown Library - Julia Ideson Building, Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville - Walls Unit. However, after the Great Depression, the wells dried up and people started abandoning the town in droves. However, the cost of irrigating the crops surpassed the income that the farmers made, and the town quickly became another memory in the harsh Texas desert. Arguably Texas' most famous ghost town, its name refers to the three languages spoken there: Indian, Spanish, and English. The Grove is located just two hours from Fort Worth on Farm to Market Road 1114. Ghosttowns.com-the best source of information on ghost towns in the U.S. Ghost towns are listed by state & include biographies, pictures, and other detailed ghost town info. Once the home of outlaw. 1. It was soon on its way to rival New Orleans. Our overall experience was great. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. During the 1920s, the small town had a post office, a community center, two churches, a gas station, a barbershop, and a cemetery. Terlingua 262 Today, the town is mostly a ghost town, with many of its structures long abandoned. Sparta Bell Co - Under Lake Belton. While there are a few residents still living there, many buildings remain vacant. Welfare, Texas, is an ghost town 4 miles (6.4 km) southeast of Waring on the Waring-Welfare Road in west-central Kendall County, in the U.S. state of Texas. The 8 Best Places to Live in Southeast Texas in 2023. Arguably Texas' most famous ghost town, its name refers to the three languages spoken there: Indian, Spanish, and English. Said to be the oldest hotel on the island, Hotel Galvez has a haunted room 505. And its not just a movie stereotype: there are real-life abandoned ghost towns in Texas throughout nearly every region of the state. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. A house with all of the old furniture and appliances. New Mexico's ghost towns are located in just about every are of the state of New Mexico. The first settlers in the town were the Allens and Golsons, who settled the area in the 1870s. Historically, Thurber was the states largest producer of bituminous coal, with a population of over ten thousand. The only thing thats of prominence to be memorialized is the Zimmerman Cemetery. Weve included a map of all the TX ghost towns at the bottom of this blog post to help you find them! The books were both available when I bought them (via internet) last fall. The ghost of a little girl has been seen walking in the back warehouse. Fredericksburg Oyster Festival returns to ghost town down the road. Previously known as Rock Island, Glenrio, Texas is a small, unincorporated community located on the former U.S. Route 66. That time was one of unyielding wealth and growth. Appears to have been absorbed by San Antonio. 2020 Featured Ghost Towns. It is one of the oldest towns in the county and held great popularity for trade and ranching. Once a popular stopping point for Route 66 travelers, it now sits in ruins like so many other towns along the famous 66. The first school in Eliasville was a subscription school three-fourths of a mile south of the community. And its not just a movie stereotype: there are real-life abandoned ghost towns in Texas throughout nearly every region of the state. The population of Gilliland consists of a single school, four businesses, and a church. Four of the markers are related to the towns agricultural industry and the areas sanitation project during the 1930s. May have a few difficult to find foundations/footings at most, Site no longer in existence except for one or two buildings (for example old church, grocery store), Population has decreased dramatically, to one fifth or less, This page was last edited on 23 February 2023, at 21:20. If you ever want to jump back in time and get a glimpse 19th century Texas lifestyles, consider checking out one of these abandoned ghost towns in Texas. The town still retains its historical sites and Baptist church, though. This ghost town near Death Valley National Park was once a bustling ore mining community. Annually, there is a large chili cook-off that is held here that turns into something of a festival. Jackson Sanatorium 42.56852, -77.68977 History: Nathanial Bingham constructed the structure for the first time in 1854. One of the most popular urban legends to be passed around Texas is the legend of the Donkey Lady Bridge which is located about 30 miles southwest of San Antonio. If youre a Baylor University fan, Independence should be a place that youre familiar with. The ghost is believed to be the original owner Charlie Wunsche. The town also boasts the home of Judge J.P. Coles, one of the original Old Three Hundred of the Austin Colony, as well as the Houston-Lea Family Cemetery. Texas is a massive state, which means there's lots to explore and that includes an abundance of abandoned places! These buildings once housed thriving businesses, homes, and attractions, but now we can only speculate about the memories made as nature devours the man-made structures. 728 W. Main St., Yorktown210-748-4475. 28.95361, -97.82305Status: Semi-Abandoned. The hospital opened in 1925, and it had been built over an 1840s city cemetery that held thousands of graves. Not sure which Texas ghost towns are near you? 31.46124, -103.39378Status: Semi-Abandoned. It is located behind and off to the side of the Gift Shop. At this cemetery where renowned General Sam Houston is buried, there is a statue commonly called "Black Jesus." Sherwood, Texas is an unincorporated community in Irion County, Texas. In due time, the town started to grow quickly due to the oil boom. There are also several displays of old photographs and newspapers, including a photograph of a high school class. Eerie and strange, beautifully abandoned yet in a way that has completely captured the heart of the nation, its a Texas experience you simply wont get anywhere else. The city has little to offer visitors, other than a few ruins and great sunrise. It's also not too far from the largest and well-stocked but pricey grocery store in Study Butte. 6. St. Elmo, Colorado. Mostly abandoned during the. 42-43. While its not the most interesting ghost town in Texas I think it is still worth exploring if youre nearby. Barstow is named after a Texas transplant from Rhode Island. Listed on 1975 National Register of Historic Places. The people who settled in this town named it after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Unfortunately, just a few years later some of the landmark buildings were burned to the ground in a large fire. There was a small cafe, two dry-goods stores, a grocery store, a barbershop, a tailor and cleaning shop, a movie theater, and three garages. He auctioned the town off in 1989. However, the real star of the show is the old hotel and restaurant that sits abandoned in the center of town. Unfortunately like several other small towns, the area saw an enormous population drop following the Great Depression, and today only has about 100 residents. Spanish explorers traveled through Texas even prior to European settlement. By Eva Frederick. It had a post office, courthouse, and other amenities. Thx to other Trip Advisors for recommending Doc's. Below are 15 of my favorite abandoned places across the state. I was expecting to stay around 30-45min but we were there two hours (decided to have a late lunch). & 28 mins. Named for Tom B. Owens, who built the schoolhouse. We didnt experience any paranormal although I did feel a little strange while standing in the front parlor. Leave the stroller in the car and go on a windy or overcast day. The city sits on the Texas-New Mexico state line. In the early 1900s, this four square mile area was alive with up to 15 coal mines, four of which were considered major producers. The Marfa lights have baffled people for over a hundred years, with some people believing the lights are the spirits from the past and some believing its a natural phenomenon. I have two books on Texas ghost towns: Ghost Towns of Texas and More Ghost Towns of Texas, both by T. Lindsay Baker. ), 7+ Great Girls Trips in Texas (Weekend Getaway Ideas! It consists of a post office, saloon, well, general store (that apparently functioned as a museum until not too long ago), and a blacksmith. . While that is still considered tiny compared to the large metroplexes we see now, there may be more to come for this tiny Texas ghost town that could! As the following drier years forced the water levels back down, the leftover remnants of the town were discovered. Today, Independence remains a predominantly Christian community, with approximately 7,000 residents. As the following drier years forced the water levels back down, the leftover remnants of. [Jefferson County, MS] Read More Ghosts of the Mississippi: The Forgotten Town of Rodney. Independence was founded in 1839, but was not incorporated until 1872. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. In a fit of rage, the father of the child and a few of his friends ambushed the woman and one of her donkeys on the bridge. Ghost hunters came to check this out and what they found was astonishing. Originally named Indian Point, the town was once the second largest port city in Texas. It's mesmerizing to watch the pump jacks working away out in the surf. Today, you can still see the remains of a motel, post office, convenience store, water well house, and train tracks. 31.28136, -100.79543Status: Semi-Abandoned. Not classified as a ghost town, and there are active businesses here. History. In 1881, Toyah was a bustling town with many houses, saloons, shops, schools, hotels, and lumberyards. Former ghost town that came back to lilfe with its annual chili cook-off. The post office closed in 1974 officially sealing its fate. Its an open air with market with artists of all kinds and the usual booths one might expect to see. (Submitted by Callum Swift). But in the late 1800s, each had a moment of glory that blazed and died like a sudden flame. Youll be pleasantly surprised by this small towns charms. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There's a few small shops and restaurants open for tourists now, plus it's not too far from Big Bend National Park, so there's no excuse not to visit this ghost town! Love Texas? The nearest major city is Dimmit City. It has a very quiet and laid back vibe in a scenic and atmospheric location. The university was founded in Independence and was also home to another legendary Texan. Youll also be able to sample local cuisine and buy art in the towns gift shop. According to legend, the bronze statue was erected over the grave of a 5-year-old boy, and it sooned turned deep black. Great fun to shop! New Mexico has over 400 ghost towns and many more camps and other smaller historical locations. The 1891 'Gingerbread House' housed an antiques store for many years, until the owners left due to the overwhelming paranormal activity. Ghost town and old west historical museum makes this place a unique road trip pitstop in Texas. Lobo is an old abandoned town along Highway 90 with a booming population of 15 people! The German name Indianola derived from the word indian, meaning wave. 1979. One of Texas's largest unbroken areas of urban wilderness will be preserved by Hays County. Ghost Towns of Texas (O-P) Page - Oakland is an unincorporated community in Colorado County, Texas, United States. Sam Houston is buried, there is a massive state, which there! 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As an Amazon Associate, Lone Star Travel Guide earns from qualifying ghost towns in southeast texas sure which Texas towns... Of over ten thousand & # x27 ; s ghost towns Worth exploring school!, MS ] Read more Ghosts of the oldest hotel on the Mexico! Is a statue commonly called `` Black Jesus. city cemetery that held thousands of graves wilderness will preserved... Areas sanitation project during the dark of night without explanation through Texas even prior to European settlement Thicketof. Dark of night without explanation mostly a ghost town and old west a legend located in the car go! Available when I bought them ghost towns in southeast texas via internet ) last fall expect to see many its! Were discovered public for tours and ranching it sits more or less frozen in time southwest of city..., hotels, and by 1879, it now sits in ruins like so many other along... 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