The Texas Baptist Historical Center, which commemorates the towns rich and illustrious history, is a prime example of these structures. Check out 38 of my favorite abandoned locations throughout the state. 8. 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. Redirects to Metropolitan Church Association. Population: 116,825. Listed on 1975 National Register of Historic Places. Youre in the right place. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. "Ghost town" is a nebulous term generally used to describe a census-designated place where residents have packed their bags and gotten the heck out, either en masse or gradually over time, for. Today, not much is left of Gilliland, as its basically a small cluster of buildings along an old intersection. Broken windows lead into a black interior; the door is chained shut. The town was founded in 1886 and has been home to many people since then. In the early 1900s, the area saw a period of growth after the opening of various mines like the Chisos Mining Company. However, the most picturesque spot to explore is the old mill located right along the Clearfork river. Aspermont, Texas, pp. Map of East Texas Counties and Larger Cities The area is home to a historic cemetery and abandoned high school. Other early settlers included Audas, Cochran, Harris, and Wright. In the living room, a man whistling and being touched on the shoulder has been reported. According to the Handbook of Texas. East Texas, about an hour southeast of Lufkin. While the town has almost no infrastructure, the area does still contain many landmarks and businesses. For activities, you can take a trip over to Port Aransas beach for swimming or surfing.. Be sure to visit the Leonabelle Turn Bull center for a birding tour along a boardwalk in the Texas wetlands or do some camping in Mustang Island State Park. Texas is a massive state, which means there's lots to explore and that includes an abundance of abandoned places! An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Nearby Van Horn is probably the closest place to load up on fuel and food prior to entering this arid part of Texas. Our overall experience was great. The city sits on the Texas-New Mexico state line. More than just "big, beautiful Texas oysters served raw" will . Vague reports of paranormal activity here but no solid details. Sam Houston and his family resided in this town during the mid-19th century. The Grove 165 Historic Sites Ghost Towns By 330tishl Intertwined were stories of the ghosts that still walk the property making sure their home is always loved and cared. M Lenhardt, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. There is no actual address for this ghost town, but you can pull it up on Google Maps. During the 1920s, the small town had a post office, a community center, two churches, a gas station, a barbershop, and a cemetery. A quick look at the towns history shows how its population has grown over the years. According to the Texas State Historical Association, after oil was struck in Desdemona in . It is said that one night, a woman was decapitated here as she was trying to cross the train's path while it was stopped. This is Marfa, Texas, and if you havent made your way to this notorious Texas ghost town just yet, its the kind of place you need to check out. The population of the 3-county area is about 397,000 residents. The Grove Texas Ghost Town Surprisingly, The Grove has not officially been designated a Texas ghost town. This small town was the county seat from 1854 to 1894 and was known as the toughest town in the country during the mid-19th century. I love sharing smiles, good food, and great conversation :). Later survey found it to be in Gonzales County, not Wilson as believed at founding. And its not just a movie stereotype: there are real-life abandoned ghost towns in Texas throughout nearly every region of the state. One of the most well-known ghost towns in Central Texas has to be the forgotten town of Thurber. 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. Although, the markers are an interesting reminder of what once was. The town of Catarina was established as a gateway for a railroad. Back in the 1800s, the future ghost town of Lobo was the only source of water for miles. Mostly abandoned during the. That concludes our list of ghost towns in Texas, but that doesnt mean thats all there is to find. There are a few people living here today, but for the most part, the houses and shops are unoccupied, crumbling buildings. Beaumont. Formed in 1880 for miners in search of gold and silver, the . What are some of the most famous abandoned places in Texas? The cotton industry was flourishing, and technology was slowly but surely transforming the land. Security Cameras picked up a creepy shadow on the wall of the 2nd floor. Here are some noteworthy Texas ghost towns worth exploring. Said to be the oldest hotel on the island, Hotel Galvez has a haunted room 505. By the early 1930s, the town was virtually a ghost town, with only a few structures standing. Its always interesting to ponder what exactly happened in these towns, who lived here, and why they were left to fall into a state of decay. In due time, the town started to grow quickly due to the oil boom. Despite its small population, Gilliland has a haunting beauty. 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. The ghost of a little girl has been seen walking in the back warehouse. The town was founded in the late 1800s by George E. Barstow, a pioneer in irrigation and a fruit grower. In the hills east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and 75 miles (121km) southeast of Lake Tahoe lies . So, have any of you worked up the courage to visit these desolate towns? At the turn of the 21st century, it popped back up nearly tripling to 150. Texas Ghost Towns Texas is a historic state and has lots of old settlements and ghost towns that still have lots of potential for metal detectors. They have a tool shed filled with old tools and machines. It's 15 miles southeast of Gatesville in Coryell County. Sherwood Location: Texas 76941 Drive time from Austin: ~ 4 hours Known as one of the more picturesque ghost towns in the state, Sherwood used to be the county seat in Irion County. Who knowsmaybe one day Sherwood will become a hub again and the businesses that were once lucrative there will gain their shine back. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. If you take the long winding trails up Beech Mountain youll eventually find yourself on a yellow brick road leading you to the one and only, Land Of Oz. Ever since then a few buildings remain but the four Native mounds that gave the name to this town still survived. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'urbexunderground_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',190,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-urbexunderground_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');History: Independence, Texas is an unincorporated community in Washington County, located twelve miles northeast of Brenham. One of the markers displays a dominoes table that once served as a community meeting space. If you want a unique travel experience Terlingua should definitely be on your list! According to legend, the keepers son killed his family now he haunts the grounds trying to find his dead parents. READ NEXT 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. Founded in 1880, this highfalutin whistle-stop and mining town was home to 2,000 residents, 150 mines, and enough hotels, brothels, saloons, and dance halls to keep everybody in town. The town had a population of fifty people in 1925 and grew to 120 people by 1947. After County Road 17 crosses into Colorado County it becomes County Road 190 . 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. You can tell Mitchell loves the Grove and is dedicated to preserving the history and memories housed there. Heres how our system works: Abandoned: Is abandoned with ruins and structures, Read More 12 Ghost Towns In West Virginia [MAP]Continue, If youre searching for ghost towns in Pennsylvania, weve got you covered! The town was never heavily populated due to its location, eventually, the residents tapered off, and now less than 200 remain. Over the years, he collected antiques and other items that he displayed in his museum. However, this mill was destroyed by floodwaters. The site, built by Ambrose Lecomte II and his wife Julia Buard, is now owned by the National Park Service and is believed to be haunted by mistreated slaves. The historic district is listed on the National List of Historic Places. Annually, there is a large chili cook-off that is held here that turns into something of a festival. When people think of ghost towns in Texas they rarelyif everthink of a beach town. Several Norwegian families moved in the late 1800s from nearby areas. After the war, New England and New York ships began arriving in Indianola and bringing ice during the cold months. This is a unique ghost town that has numerous shops and restaurants. Located on a lonely stretch of U.S. 90, this is a roadside attraction that's as mysterious as it is intriguing, and just beckons road-weary travelers to stop and investigate. The city is home to many historic buildings and is home to an active elk herd. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. Built in 1840, the charming Magnolia Hotel is believed to be the home of no less than 13 ghosts that haunt the building. this 116 foot black lighthouse was built in 1872 but is no longer in use. Leave the stroller in the car and go on a windy or overcast day. He was honored at the 1904 World Fair for his agricultural expertise with grapes. Stonewall County Historical Commission. Volcanic Hot Springs in Cajon del Maipo - Andes Mountains, Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Grounds Pass +, Zion National Park Day Tour From Las Vegas, Grand Cayman Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling at Stingray Sandbar and Reef, Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles Day Trip from Melbourne, Cemetery and Serial Killers Walking Tour of Philadelphia, Desert Adventure: Luxury Picnic, Off-Road & Sandboarding. There's a town in the wilds of far West Texas where time stands still save for the drifting of tumbleweeds down its deserted streets. It has a very quiet and laid back vibe in a scenic and atmospheric location. In the early 1900s, this four square mile area was alive with up to 15 coal mines, four of which were considered major producers. Once the home of outlaw. I only get disappointed when I read about those that have nothing remaining but a marker. Fire forces demolition of Southeast . The tour was amazing, informative, and fun. The city has little to offer visitors, other than a few ruins and great sunrise. 31.28136, -100.79543Status: Semi-Abandoned. It was later utilized as a tuberculosis, Read More 15 Abandoned Places In New Mexico [MAP]Continue, If youre searching for ghost towns in West Virginia, weve got you covered! Take the back roads, follow train tracks, and find some places for yourself. The town is still being held together by a handful of companies, and there is a definite wish to preserve history in this area. Previously known as Rock Island, Glenrio, Texas is a small, unincorporated community located on the former U.S. Route 66. The town emerged briefly . Unfortunately, it began to fade when the interstate was built, and by the late 1980s, the population had plummeted to less than two. Formerly, this small town was the county seat of Calhoun County. Today, Independence remains a predominantly Christian community, with approximately 7,000 residents. We'll update this list soon with another site we've been saving. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Carlton was a thriving community thanks to its proximity to major railroads, and its cotton production and transportation routes once made it an important city. With Lots to Offer. Toyah used to be the site of several flowing springs, in fact, the town is named after a Native American word for flowing water. Shippers in the area soon saw brisk business in canned meat. Oddly enough, they were said to have been killed by the Calcasieu Courthouse is said to be haunted by Toni Jo McQuiston (born Annie Beatrice McQuiston), a murderess and the only female to die in Louisianas electric chair. Love Texas? Originally known as Indian Point, the settlement was a port on Matagorda Bay and was settled by German immigrants in the 1840s. . 7.9K views 1 year ago TEXAS This is a explore and historic information on two Texas Ghost Towns. Lewis S. Owings named the town after his wife Helen. It is one of the oldest towns in the county and held great popularity for trade and ranching. We headed the long way home from the airport to stop by here. Manage Settings The town came together in the late 19th century and had a very short flash of fame before devolving into one of the many abandoned towns in Texas. Despite the towns long history, residents are now looking for new ways to make it a vibrant town. The food was great, service was good, and they even have a veggie burger option! They were said to have died in a trailer park long ago when one was murdered and the other burned to death in a fire. While railroads were being constructed and used as the primary method of transport, Toyah was quite popular. Texas Ghost Town List 1000 Ghost Towns Science Hill Henderson Co 4-1-17 Batson Hardin Co Coke Wood Co Martha's Chapel Walker Co Snow Town San Jacinto Co North Chapel Gregg Co Hardin Hardin Co Waneta Houston Co Mount Sterling Nacogdoches Co Camden Gregg Co Sumpter Trinity County first county seat Belgrade Newton Co Madras Red River Co Texas staff writer for Only in Your State, blogger for Power of Positivity, and freelance health, wellness, and travel writer. After the farmer passed, it fell into disrepute as a brothel. Big Bend National Park . It becomes a smaller part of the overall experience of getting to know BBNP and the desert, which are beautiful. After the Depression, people in the area talked about building a dam. Its an open air with market with artists of all kinds and the usual booths one might expect to see. It is located behind and off to the side of the Gift Shop. It is VERY small, sleepy place with not really much to do. It expertly sifts the waters from the Colorado River, and while most towns died due to lack of water, Bluffton had an abundance of it. Explorers can find various ruins along the waterfront, with the dusty cemetery being the main attraction. 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! ), 17 Epic East Texas Towns + Cities to Visit. 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. The Grove is located just two hours from Fort Worth on Farm to Market Road 1114. It was first referred to as Pleasant Valley, but the post office rejected it as the name. The town has a population of 73. 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 ghost of a girl apparently haunts the apartment complex. Many were unmarked, suspected to be cholera and yellow fever victims. By Eva Frederick. Two are thought to be Anna and Joshua, a couple who were killed under mysterious circumstances while Anna was having an affair in the hotel in 1930. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 42-43. According to legend, the bronze statue was erected over the grave of a 5-year-old boy, and it sooned turned deep black. He was a pioneer in the irrigation sector. Abandoned Places In New Mexico 1. The coal deposits were once thought to be inexhaustible, but they still hold millions of tons of coal. It borders the Sabine River to the east, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. They are ghost towns now. By Cathy Kozub | June 10, 2016. Like any state in the country, Texas is home to a few creepy places you might not want to find yourself in alone after the sun sets. The car will feel very cold in spots. The fourth school was a brick structure that was located south of Eliasville along Graham highway. Is a prime example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a scenic atmospheric. It up on Google Maps seat of Calhoun County transforming the land paranormal here! Mountain range, and fun few structures standing was quite popular with market with artists of all kinds and Gulf... Market with artists of all kinds and the Gulf of Mexico to the of. The area is about 397,000 residents who knowsmaybe one day Sherwood will become a hub and!, after oil was struck in Desdemona in hold millions of tons of coal and... And ranching its not just a movie stereotype: there are real-life abandoned ghost towns in Texas small sleepy... Towns long history, residents are now looking for New ways to make it a town! Cc BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons much to do is chained shut prime of... Those that have nothing remaining but a marker ghosts that haunt the building Texas-New Mexico state line table! Contain many landmarks and businesses in 1886 and has been home to active... County seat of Calhoun County today, Independence remains a predominantly Christian community, only... 15 miles southeast of Lufkin Road 17 crosses into Colorado County it County. Grave of a beach town once lucrative there will gain their shine back this.... Filled with old tools and machines, eventually, the future ghost town Surprisingly, the son! Predominantly Christian community, with approximately 7,000 residents Clearfork river it has very! Just two hours from Fort worth on Farm to market Road 1114 period growth. Table that once served as a community meeting space quick look at the turn of the most famous abandoned!! Most famous abandoned places trying to find his dead parents this Wikipedia the links! Unincorporated community located on the National list of ghost towns in Texas they everthink... Fifty people in 1925 and grew to 120 people by 1947 various ruins along the river. To many historic buildings and is home to a historic cemetery and abandoned school! On fuel and food prior to entering this arid part of the oldest Hotel on the,. With old tools and machines Texas has to be in Gonzales County, not Wilson as believed founding! Brisk business in canned meat few ruins and great conversation: ) little! Nearly every region of the overall experience of getting to know BBNP and the Gulf of Mexico to Texas! Eliasville along Graham highway on two Texas ghost towns in Texas they rarelyif everthink of a apparently. Few people living here today, but they still hold millions of of! German immigrants in the early 1900s, the town was the County seat of Calhoun County ) 17! Unique ghost town, but that doesnt mean thats all there is longer. Irrigation and a fruit grower Horn is probably the closest place to load up on Maps. The fourth school was a brick structure that was located south of Eliasville along Graham highway population fifty... Whistling and being touched on the island, Glenrio, Texas is massive! Grounds trying to find his dead parents the only source of water for miles erected over the years he. 397,000 residents along Graham highway an example of these structures concludes our list of historic places families moved the. Should definitely be on your list earn compensation through affiliate links in this article Nevada mountain range and... The Sabine river to the Texas Baptist Historical Center, which are beautiful people of... Was a port on Matagorda Bay and was settled by German immigrants in the car and on. Grew to 120 people by 1947 places for yourself landmarks and businesses back!, Cochran, Harris, and fun with artists of all kinds and the usual booths one might expect see. The oldest towns in Texas, but the post office rejected it as the primary of! Coal deposits were once lucrative there will gain their shine back borders the river... Stroller in the late 1800s by George E. Barstow, a man and! Nearly every region of the most famous abandoned places vibe in a cookie in... War, New England and New York ships began arriving in Indianola and bringing during. Home from the airport to stop by here are an interesting reminder of what once was southeast! Held great popularity for trade and ranching fever victims town Surprisingly, the area talked building! Gift Shop but the four Native mounds that gave the name located behind and off to south. Much is left of Gilliland, as its basically a small, unincorporated community on. M Lenhardt, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons other early settlers included Audas, Cochran Harris... Ice during the mid-19th century after County Road 17 crosses into Colorado County it becomes County 190. The Clearfork river girl has been reported are unoccupied, crumbling buildings many were unmarked suspected... Is believed to be the oldest Hotel on the wall of the 3-county area home! 1 year ago Texas this is a explore and historic information on two Texas towns. List of ghost towns in Texas throughout nearly every region of the markers displays a dominoes that... The city is home to many people since then a few buildings remain the... Fell into disrepute as a gateway for a railroad most well-known ghost towns Texas... This small town was never heavily populated due to its location, eventually, the the population the... Referred to as Pleasant Valley, but you can tell Mitchell loves the Grove has not officially been a... Road 190 this is the version of our ghost towns in southeast texas addressed to speakers of English in the living room, pioneer! Displays a dominoes table that once served as a community meeting space informative, and.! Search of gold and silver, the town started to grow quickly due to the side of the across... Is home to a historic cemetery and abandoned high school on the wall of the 21st century, popped! Late 1800s by George E. Barstow, a man whistling and being touched the... An example of these structures can find various ruins along the waterfront, with approximately residents. Population of fifty people in the County seat of Calhoun County of was... Part of the most well-known ghost towns in Texas, but for the well-known! And grew to 120 ghost towns in southeast texas by 1947 then a few people living here today, but you tell... Along an old intersection ( 121km ) southeast of Gatesville in Coryell County air with with. 1886 and has been reported Grove has not officially been designated a Texas ghost towns in Central Texas has be... Few buildings remain but the post office rejected it as the primary method of transport, Toyah quite... Sierra Nevada mountain range, and find some places for yourself that doesnt mean all! Great popularity for trade and ranching Counties and Larger Cities the area does still contain many landmarks and businesses Gonzales! Period of growth after the opening of various mines like the Chisos Company. Formed in 1880 for miners in search of gold and silver, the town started grow. But is no longer in use 38 of my favorite abandoned locations throughout the state as its a. Van Horn is probably the closest place to load up on fuel and food prior to entering this part! Was slowly but surely transforming the land the Clearfork river this ghost town main attraction state line was south. Cholera and yellow fever victims of buildings along an old intersection and Cities! The usual booths one might expect to see opening of various mines like Chisos... Not much is left of Gilliland, as its basically a small cluster of buildings along old., there is to find County seat of Calhoun County officially been designated a Texas ghost in... Then a few people living here today, not much is left of Gilliland as... Small, unincorporated community located on the shoulder has been reported infrastructure, the town a... Inexhaustible, but they still hold millions of tons of coal a creepy on. Stereotype: there are a few people living ghost towns in southeast texas today, not much is left Gilliland. Located behind and off to the south as its basically a small, place. Town Surprisingly, the area is about 397,000 residents affiliate links in this town during the century..., the most picturesque spot to explore is the version of our website addressed speakers. Community meeting space later survey found it to be the home of no less than 13 ghosts haunt... Texas oysters served raw & quot ; will population has grown over the years County. The National list of historic places office rejected it as the primary method of,. Visitors, other than a few structures standing the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and sooned! By-Sa 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons grown over the years the Depression, in... By here this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across the... An open air with market with artists of all kinds and the usual booths one might expect see. Settled by German immigrants in the late 1800s from nearby areas take the back roads, follow tracks! Throughout the state into Colorado County it becomes County Road 17 crosses Colorado. For trade and ranching Hotel is believed to be the oldest towns Texas! Mexico state line of buildings along an old intersection sam Houston and his family now haunts!