MomSkoop
Scattered across the vast Texas landscape lie forgotten communities frozen in time, waiting to share their stories. These ghost towns offer families a chance to step back in history while creating new memories together. Pack some snacks, grab your camera, and hit the road to discover these abandoned places where echoes of the past still linger.
1. Terlingua: The Mining Marvel Near Big Bend
Red desert hills cradle this former mercury mining boomtown that flourished in the early 1900s before economic hardship emptied its streets. The haunting Boot Hill Cemetery, with graves marked by simple stone piles, tells silent tales of miners who never left.
Families can wander through crumbling stone structures and the restored Perry Mansion while imagining life during the cinnabar mining heyday. The town springs to life each November during its famous chili cook-off.
Don’t miss the spectacular sunset views that paint the abandoned buildings in golden hues—a photographer’s dream against the rugged Chisos Mountains backdrop.
2. Independence: Where Education and History Converge
Founded in 1835, this historic settlement once hummed with academic energy as the original home of Baylor University. Sam Houston himself once walked these streets, adding presidential prestige to this forgotten community.
Stone columns from the women’s college stand like ancient sentinels, guarding memories of scholarly pursuits. The weathered Baptist church, built from locally quarried stone, remains as testament to the town’s religious foundations.
Children will enjoy the wide-open spaces perfect for exploration, while parents can appreciate the historical significance of this educational pioneer town nestled in the rolling hills of Washington County.
3. Barstow: The Vineyard Village That Vanished
Once a thriving agricultural haven known for its lush vineyards and sweet grapes, Barstow’s fortune withered after the devastating Pecos River dam break in 1904. The catastrophe flooded farmlands with salt water, poisoning once-fertile soil.
Today, crumbling adobe walls and empty storefronts stand as reminders of agricultural dreams gone dry. Local legends speak of spectral figures that appear at dusk, floating above abandoned streets.
Kids will be fascinated by the ghost stories while parents appreciate the lesson in environmental impact. Bring binoculars to spot desert wildlife that has reclaimed this once-bustling community.
4. Glenrio: The Town That Straddles Two States
Glenrio stands as a testament to the golden age of Route 66, a town that thrived on the dreams of travelers journeying across America. Straddling the Texas-New Mexico border, Glenrio was once a bustling stop for weary road-trippers seeking rest and refreshment. Today, its empty buildings and silent streets serve as a poignant reminder of the town’s vibrant past.
Walking through Glenrio, one can almost hear the echoes of laughter and the rumble of classic cars. The town’s unique position on Route 66 offers a fascinating exploration for families interested in the history of America’s Mother Road.
Fun fact: Glenrio was one of the few towns where one could be fined for driving over 25 mph!
5. Bodie: The Cowboy Capital That Never Was
Bodie, often overshadowed by its California namesake, is a forgotten chapter in Texas’s cowboy lore. This town aspired to become a bustling hub for cattle drives and cowboy culture but never quite realized its dreams. All that remains are dilapidated wooden structures that tell tales of ambition and untapped potential.
Visitors to Bodie can walk among the relics of a bygone era, imagining the cowboys and ranchers who once roamed these lands. It’s a place where history feels tangible, a reminder of the dreams that helped shape the American West.
Fun bit of history: Bodie was named after a prospector who never struck it rich, much like the town itself.