Texas Ghost Towns: Explore haunting remnants of forgotten cities
By LISA CARLISLE | Contributed photos
As the cool fall breeze whispers through the desolate landscapes of Texas, the spirit of Halloween beckons us to explore the eerie and abandoned. The Lone Star State is home to a myriad of ghost towns, each with its own haunting history and spine-chilling tales. Each town has its own story to tell, from booming beginnings to tragic declines, and the haunting remnants that remain today.
Glenrio
Glenrio, straddling the Texas-New Mexico border, was a bustling stop on Route 66. Established in the early 1900s, it thrived with gas stations, motels, and diners until Interstate 40 bypassed it in 1975.
Today, Glenrio’s eerie old buildings, including a gas station and diner, offer a glimpse into the past. The flat plains and rolling hills around Glenrio are typical of where the Texas Panhandle meets New Mexico. The town was featured in “The Grapes of Wrath” as a symbol of the American journey west during the Great Depression.
Independence
In Washington County, Independence is a ghost town known for its historical significance. Founded in 1835, it became an educational and religious hub, home to Baylor University and Baylor Female College. The town’s growth stalled when railways bypassed it in the 1860s, and
Baylor University’s move to Waco in 1886 sealed its fate.
Today, visitors can explore the ruins of old buildings, the original Baylor University site, and a historic church. A fun fact is that Sam
Houston, a key figure in Texas history, once lived here and sent his children to school in Independence.
Thurber
Thurber, in Erath County, was a booming coal and later oil mining town in the late 19th century. At its peak, it had over 10,000 residents and numerous amenities, including a 200-room hotel and an opera house. As coal declined and oil took over, Thurber’s population dwindled.
Today, visitors can explore its spooky remnants, including a prominent old smokestack and some brick buildings. Thurber also has a museum dedicated to its unique past.
Belle Plain
Located near Baird in Callahan County, Belle Plain was founded in 1876 and quickly became a thriving community and the county seat.
However, the bypassing Texas and Pacific Railway in the 1880s led to its decline.
Today, only a few old foundations and a cemetery, rumored to be haunted, remain. Belle Plain was once an important educational center with one of the first institutions of higher learning west of Fort Worth.
Sherwood
Sherwood, in Irion County, was founded in the late 19th century and served as the county seat until 1939. The town flourished for a while, catering to the local ranching community. However, the bypassing railroad and relocation of the county seat led to its decline.
Visitors can still explore the magnificent old courthouse in the center of town.
The Grove
Located in Coryell County, The Grove began as a farming community in the 1850s and grew as a stagecoach stop. By 1900, it was one of Texas’s most prosperous towns. However, new highways and railroads bypassed The Grove in the 1940s, leading to its decline.
Today, well-preserved buildings like the old saloon and general store offer a glimpse into the past. A single owner purchased and restored many historic buildings in the 1970s.
Each town, with its crumbling buildings and silent streets, tells a tale of human endeavor, prosperity, and inevitable decline. The transformation of a bustling town into a ghost town is a poignant reminder of the fragility of human settlements. When one or more things are affected, the effects can be swift and devastating, turning a lively community into a ghost town seemingly overnight.
For those seeking to uncover a little history, the spirits of the past linger in the air, whispering stories of ambition, hardship and resilience.
Let the spirit of adventure guide you to uncover more hidden gems, and may the ghosts of the past continue to enrich your understanding of the present.
