As I’ve researched ghost towns in Texas, I quickly realized that we have quite a few abandoned towns with a rich history that are just begging to be explored. It’s always interesting to ponder what exactly happened in these towns, who lived there, and why they were left to fall into a state of decay. If you have the time to venture to these abandoned towns in Texas, the history they hold will leave you intrigued, baffled, and maybe a little creeped out too.

1) Terlingua
Terlingua, TX 79852, USA
alex de carvalho/Flickr
Arguably the most famous of Texas ghost towns, its name refers to the three languages spoken there: Indian, Spanish, and English. A man named Howard E. Perry from Maine owned much of the land and started the Chisos Mining Company, which brought many people to the town in the early 1900s. However, after World War II, the mine flooded, the mineral price fell, and the tiny town of Terlingua saw the end of its days. There are 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!
2) Lobo
Lobo, TX 79855, USA
panda brand/Flickr
Located east of El Paso, Lobo once thrived with cotton farming and other agriculture making up the majority of its economy. However, the cost of irrigating the crops surpassed the income that the farmers made, and this Texas ghost town quickly became another memory in the harsh Texas desert. There are a few people living here today, but for the most part, the houses and shops are unoccupied, crumbling buildings.
3) Indianola
Indianola, TX 77979, USA
CJTravelerTexas/TripAdvisor
Originally named Indian Point, one of the most famous ghost towns in Texas was once the second-largest port city in Texas. 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. Texas history fans will enjoy visiting this site on Matagorda Bay.
4) Medicine Mound
Medicine Mound, TX 79252, USA
M Lenhardt, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
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. It is one of the most fascinating abandoned towns in Texas.

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5) Independence
Independence, TX 77833, USA
Chad W/TripAdvisor
The people who settled in this town named it after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The most famous resident here was Sam Houston, who lived in Independence from 1853 to 1858. It is also the birthplace of Baylor University, but the construction of the college was never completed due to the town's economic decline. Pictured above is part of the ruins of the Baylor Female Building. Also in the town, you will find defunct old homes, a dilapidated hotel, and a creepy cemetery, possibly one of the most haunted Texas ghost towns.
6) Glenrio
Glenrio, TX 79045, USA
Marion Brite/Flickr
Once a popular stopping point for Route 66 travelers, one of the abandoned towns in Texas now sits in ruins like so many other towns along the famous 66. Today, you can still see the remains of a motel, post office, convenience store, water well house, and train tracks.
7) Barstow
Barstow, TX 79719, USA
Nicolas Henderson/Flickr
George E. Barstow, the founder of the town, traveled all the way from Rhode Island to start up an irrigation business. He became successful quickly, and found recruits that brought the town's population above 1,000. However, after the Pecos River dam broke in 1904, droughts devastated the fruit and vegetable crops, which meant Barstow’s business had no chance of surviving. Now, the memories of the town are kept inside the walls of the crumbling buildings, and George Barstow likely took many of the tales to his grave, which you can find in the local cemetery. It is possibly one of the haunted Texas ghost towns.
8) Winkelmann
Winkelmann Lane, Winkelmann Ln, Texas 77833, USA
Norm Lanier/Flickr
From what I gathered, this small collection of brightly colored buildings four miles east of Brenham is merely a failed attempt at a tourist attraction. Though no one actually lived here, Winkelmann's still a spooky place to visit nonetheless.
9) Catarina
Catarina, TX 78836, USA
mlhradio/Flickr
Located halfway between Laredo and Uvalde, you'll find this dried-up Texas ghost town that once boomed with its promises of abundant water and a long crop season. However, after the Great Depression, the wells dried up and people started abandoning the town in droves. Today, only the shell of a vibrantly colored hotel and restaurant remain, as well as a few other buildings that nature is now taking back.

So, have any of you worked up the courage to visit these ghost towns in Texas? Or, have you been to any Texas ghost towns that we didn’t list here? Please share in the comments below. And should you have questions about some of these Texas ghost towns, visit the Texas State Historical Association’s website.

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ghost towns in Texas

Jackie Ann | October 20, 2020

Where is the creepiest town in Texas?

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. From the paranormal to the abandoned there are countless creepy ghost towns in Texas peppered throughout the Lone Star State. One of the scariest towns in Texas is Marfa, home to some of the most unusual paranormal light displays in the country. 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 it’s a natural phenomenon.

Are there any urban legends in Texas?

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 legend follows the story of a woman who raised donkeys and one day one of the donkeys bit a child.  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. Both the woman and the donkey fell into the river and drowned. Legend has it that if you drive down the bridge at night and turn off your engine, you might just hear the faint sounds of a donkey.

Are there any haunted hotels in Texas?

If you want to have a truly hair-raising night to remember, booking a room at one of Texas’ many haunted hotels is right up your alley. Hotel Galvez in Galveston has a long history of paranormal encounters, including the ghost of a woman who is believed to have hanged herself in room 505. For a more intimate experience, visit the Magnolia Hotel in Seguin. Built in 1840, the charming Magnolia Hotel is believed to be the home of no less than 13 ghosts that haunt the building. Sweet dreams!

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