Posted in Texas
August 23, 2016
We Dare You To Take This Road Trip To Texas’ Most Abandoned Places
As somber as abandoned places are, for some strange reason, we can’t stay away from them. We grow sorrowful at the thought of once thriving businesses or schools that are now nothing more than a pile of ruins, but remain fascinated with the possibility that something sinister could be lurking inside. Here’s your opportunity to entertain that dark fantasy and visit 9 of the creepiest abandoned places in Texas. As usual, the Google Map with exact directions from your location can be found here.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
During WWII, this was the largest infantry replacement training center in the United States. It also served as a German POW camp. Now, instead of army men, all it holds are the bloody, forgotten memories of war-torn souls.
Also in Mineral Wells, this hotel is easily one of the most famous abandoned places in Texas. There are many ghost stories associated with it; an especially notable one is about a woman who flung herself from an upstairs window after learning of her husband's infidelity. Although you can't go inside, merely touring the grounds will make every hair on the back of your neck stand at attention. You might even see a ghost peering out at you from one of the windows.
As if places that once housed rotting corpses aren't creepy enough, the fact that this one hasn't been in operation since the 1970s combined with the graffiti littering the walls makes it a million times spookier. It's still a historic part of the Stockyards District, though, and harbors a lot of history that deserves to be celebrated for years to come.
The saying in Paducah is, "The only thing growing here is the cemetery." Sad as it may be, it's true. The town has been nearly deserted since the 1970s. Residents look around at the dilapidated buildings and remember the memories that were made there. The Cottle Hotel is no exception. What do you think is lurking within its walls?
Many years ago, early settlers to the Medina area called this place home. You can only imagine how much history was left behind after their deaths. You'll feel the heaviness in the air as soon as you step onto the property. The overgrowth guarding the house seems to imply the plethora of secrets housed within it.
Movie theatres are supposed to be filled with laughs, screams and the excitement of tweens out and about without their parents' accompaniment. It's extremely eerie to enter one and see nothing but empty concession stands, decaying chairs, and black screens. Despite this, the memories made at Rig by high school kids on Friday nights still live on. So much so, that you might hear a giggle or footsteps behind you as you explore. What was that noise? Oh look, there's a crunched popcorn kernel on the ground. I wonder who did that...
Maybe even creepier than an abandoned movie theatre is an abandoned mansion. I'm talking no furniture, nothing at all aside from murals of sword-bearing pirates all over the house. Not to mention there was an Indian burial ground near the house. Are you brave enough to visit?
This mill had such a lasting impact on the development of the town of Luling. Who knows what would've become of the area if not for the massive amounts of revenue and population growth brought in by it? Although no longer in operation, the fact that the mill is still standing is a testament to its resilience and refusal to be forgotten.
Abandoned schools are such saddening places. The laughter of children and the promise of future well-educated adults has given way to defunct ruins and distant memories. Nobody knows exactly what went wrong here, but a tour of the empty hallways will leave a lasting impression on your soul.
Who’s ready to do some exploring? I know I am. Do you know of any other abandoned places in Texas that immediately give you the creeps?
