There are more than 900 ghost towns in Texas, complete with ruins, restored buildings, cemeteries, and more than 30 points of historical interest. Previously, the towns flourished as a result of the bustling mining and agriculture industries, but when the economy declined after The Great Depression, the cities turns into ghost towns after the residents moved away.
Whether you’re on a cross country road trip and happen to be driving through the Cowboy State, or you’re looking to do something that’s off-the-beaten path, be sure to check out these five ghost towns in Texas.
Ghost Towns In Texas Most Worth Visiting
1. Terlingua
One of the most well-known ghost towns in Texas, Terlingua refers to the three languages that were spoken there: English, Spanish, and Indian. Many people were drawn to the town in the early 1900s because of the Chisos Mining Company, but when the mine flooded after World War II, the townspeople left in search of other opportunities. Despite being a ghost town, there are several shops and a restaurant that are open for tourists. Terlingua is located close to the border with Mexico in southwestern Brewster County, near the Rio Grande and Big Bend National Park.
2. Lobo
This ghost town, located east of El Paso, was once a flourishing cotton farming town that made its wealth through agriculture. But as time went on, the crop irrigation costs were greater than the income of the town residents, and they eventually moved away. A few residents still reside in Lobo, but a majority of the leftover shops and adobe homes are unoccupied. To get to Lobo, take Highway 90 to Exit 140 (Van Horn).
3. Glenrio
Previously a popular stopping point for Route 66 travelers, nowadays Glenrio is a quiet ghost town that is home to the remains of a post office, convenience store, water well house, motel, and train tracks. The ghost town sits on the Texas and New Mexico state line, and is located in both Deaf Smith County, TX, and Quay County, NM.
4. Independence
Named after the Declaration of Independence, this small town was the former home of Sam Houston – a famous American soldier whose victory at the Battle of San Jacinto secured the independence of Texas from Mexico. Independence is also where Baylor University was built, but due to economic problems, construction was never completed. In addition to the ruins of the college, there is also an abandoned hotel, old homes, and a cemetery. The town is located 82 miles west of Houston via Highway 290.
5. Catarina
All that is left of this former town are the brightly-colored remains of an old hotel and a restaurant, as well as several buildings that are now covered in overgrown plants. Catarina was once home to abundant water sources and crops, but after the Great Depression, the town was abandoned after the wells dried up. The ghost town is located halfway between Laredo and Uvalde.
This article was written by Kamala Kirk.