Texas Ghost Towns Map

Texas is home to over 500 ghost towns, remnants of once-thriving communities that declined due to economic shifts, natural disasters, or resource depletion. Notable examples include Terlingua, a former mining town, and Indianola, which was destroyed by hurricanes in the late 19th century. These ghost towns offer a glimpse into Texas' history, reflecting the state's boom-and-bust cycles, particularly in industries like oil, railroads, and mining. Today, many ghost towns serve as tourist attractions, providing historical insight into Texas’ past development and abandonment patterns.

Texas Ghost Towns Map



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About Texas Ghost Towns Map

Explore the map of Texas showing Ghost Towns with international boundary, state boundary, and state capital.

Ghost Towns in Texas

Texas ghost towns are scattered across the state, offering a window into the history of settlements that once thrived but were eventually abandoned due to various factors such as economic downturns, natural disasters, and shifts in industry. With over 500 documented ghost towns, these sites serve as reminders of Texas' diverse economic past, from mining booms and railroad expansions to agricultural declines and oil busts.

Causes of Abandonment

The primary reason many Texas towns became ghost towns is the collapse of key industries. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Texas experienced rapid growth due to the expansion of railroads, mining, and agriculture. Towns often sprouted up around these industries, flourishing for a time, only to decline when the resources were depleted or transportation routes changed. The discovery of oil in the early 20th century further contributed to boom-and-bust cycles in many regions.

Mining Declines

Mining towns like Terlingua, located near Big Bend National Park, rose during the late 1800s as mercury (quicksilver) was discovered in the area. During its peak in the early 1900s, Terlingua supported a population of about 2,000 people. However, by the 1940s, the demand for mercury plummeted, and the town was largely abandoned. Today, Terlingua is a tourist destination, with remnants of old mining operations still visible.

Railroad Changes

Many Texas ghost towns owe their existence to the rise and fall of railroad routes. Towns like Thurber, once a major coal-mining hub with over 10,000 residents, fell into decline when the need for coal diminished as railroads transitioned to oil-powered locomotives. Thurber, located west of Fort Worth, was one of the largest company towns in Texas during its prime but was almost entirely abandoned by the 1930s.

Agricultural and Economic Shifts

Some towns failed due to agricultural hardships, such as drought or soil depletion, which drove populations away. For example, towns like Barstow, in West Texas, initially thrived due to irrigation and agriculture but were devastated by drought in the early 1900s, leading to a mass exodus. Similarly, towns dependent on cotton farming often saw decline when crop prices fell or farming techniques evolved, making smaller communities unsustainable.

Natural Disasters

Several Texas ghost towns were victims of natural disasters. Indianola, once a bustling port town on the Gulf Coast, was destroyed by two hurricanes in 1875 and 1886. Once one of the busiest ports in Texas, second only to Galveston, Indianola’s strategic importance could not save it from being abandoned after the storms left it in ruins. Today, only a few ruins and a historical marker remain.

Notable Ghost Towns in Texas

Terlingua

Located near the Rio Grande and Big Bend National Park, Terlingua was once a thriving mining town producing mercury. At its height, Terlingua was home to miners and their families, but it began to decline in the 1940s when the mercury market collapsed. Today, Terlingua has experienced a resurgence as a tourist destination, attracting visitors interested in its history, ghostly ruins, and proximity to Big Bend.

Thurber

At the height of its coal production in the early 1900s, Thurber was home to over 10,000 people, most of whom worked for the Texas & Pacific Coal Company. The town boasted modern amenities, including electricity and a brickworks. However, the shift to oil as a primary fuel for trains in the 1920s led to Thurber's rapid decline. By the 1930s, most of its residents had left, and the town was abandoned. Today, Thurber is a ghost town with only a few surviving structures, including a smokestack and the New York Hill restaurant.

Indianola

Once a prominent port on the Texas coast, Indianola was a gateway for German immigrants and a key shipping point for goods. In 1875, a powerful hurricane destroyed much of the town. A second hurricane in 1886 led to its complete abandonment. Indianola’s history as a major port has largely faded, but its ruins remain as a testament to the power of natural disasters in shaping the state's history.

Barstow

Located in West Texas, Barstow was established in the late 19th century and became a center of irrigated agriculture. The town thrived in the early 1900s, but drought and the depletion of water resources caused its agricultural economy to collapse. By the 1920s, Barstow had been largely abandoned. Today, only a few structures and a cemetery remain.

Lobo

Lobo is a small ghost town in West Texas that was abandoned in the 1960s after its agricultural economy failed. Unlike many other ghost towns, Lobo has been partially preserved by a group of artists and is occasionally used for events. The town's remaining structures provide a glimpse into the architecture and layout of a mid-20th-century rural community.

Preservation and Tourism

Many of Texas' ghost towns have become popular tourist destinations, attracting visitors interested in history, photography, and exploration. Some towns, like Terlingua, have been partially revived as tourist hubs, with businesses catering to travelers looking for a blend of history and natural beauty. Others, like Thurber and Barstow, remain quiet relics of the past, with only a few surviving buildings or markers.

State and local efforts to preserve these towns have helped maintain their historical significance. In some cases, ghost towns have been incorporated into state parks or historical landmarks, ensuring their stories are not lost to time. However, preservation can be challenging due to the remote locations and deteriorating conditions of many ghost towns.

The Significance of Ghost Towns

Texas ghost towns are more than just abandoned places—they offer a rich tapestry of stories about the people who lived and worked there, the industries that thrived and failed, and the factors that shaped Texas' growth and development. From mining and railroads to agriculture and natural disasters, the history of these ghost towns reflects the broader economic and environmental trends that have shaped Texas.

Today, ghost towns serve as educational tools, giving students, historians, and tourists an opportunity to explore the state's past. They provide insight into how towns flourished and collapsed based on the availability of resources, the development of infrastructure, and the whims of nature. For Texas, a state known for its rapid development and industrial growth, these ghost towns remind us of the impermanence of economic booms and the resilience of history.

List of Ghost Towns in Texas

S.N.NameCountyCurrent StatusAbandoned inSettled in
1AcalaHudspethSemi-abandoned Before 1925
2AcmeHardemanSemi-abandoned 1898
3AdkinsBexarHistoric community 1880s
4Adobe WallsHutchinsonBarren site 1843
5AdobesPresidioNeglected site 1870s
6AlbertGillespieSemi-abandoned 1877
7AlbuquerqueGonzales/WilsonBarren site 1857
8AldridgeJasperBarren site 1890s
9AlexanderErathHistoric community 1876
10AllamooreHudspethSemi-abandoned 1888
11AltonDentonSemi-abandoned18561848
12AlumWilsonSemi abandoned Before 1900
13Ammans CrossingKendall   
14AnareneArcherBarren site1950s1908
15Aransas CityAransasBarren site18471837
16ArdenIrionSemi-abandoned 1885
17ArnoReevesBarren site19151907
18ArispeHudspethAbandoned1940s1885
19AuburnEllisSemi-abandoned 1850's
20AudraTaylorBarren site1910sBefore 1900
21AudubonWiseBarren site1900s1865
22AyrDeaf SmithBarren site18951890
23AyresWashingtonBarren site 1835
24BankersmithKendallBarren siteBy 19801913
25BartonsiteHaleBarren site19211907
26BectonLubbockSemi-abandoned 1917
27BelchervilleMontagueSemi-abandoned 1858
28BelknapYoungHistoric community 1851
29Belle PlainCallahanNeglected site19091876
30BelzoraSmithAbandoned site1930s1850
31Ben FicklinTom GreenBarren site18821873
32BeninaSan AugustineBarren site1940s1871
33BentonKendallBarren site  
34Benton CityAtascosaHistoric community19561876
35BestReaganAbandoned site 1924
36BettinaLlanoBarren site 1847
37BexarBexarSemi-abandoned 1854
38BirchvilleHudspethBarren site  
39BirdvilleTarrantHistoric community 1841
40Bitter CreekNolanBarren site 1880s
41Block CreekKendallBarren site1940s1884
42BlumenthalGillespieSemi-abandoned site ca. 1900
43BoiseOldhamAbandoned site  
44BoldtvilleWilson   
45BomartonBaylor   
46BoonvilleBrazos   
47BorachoCulberson   
48BozEllis   
49BradshawTaylorSemi-abandoned1990s1909
50BraggHardin   
51Brazos PointBosque   
52BrittonEllis   
53BroncoYoakum   
54BrowningSmith   
55Bryant StationMilam   
56BucksnortFalls  1834
57Burning Bush ColonySmith/Cherokee   
58CaddoMilam   
59CaddoWilson   
60Cain CityGillespie  1915
61CalaverasWilson   
62Calf CreekMcCullochAbandoned site  
63Callahan CityCallahan   
64CallihamMcMullen   
65Camey SpurDenton  1852
66Camp VerdeKerr   
67Cañada VerdeWilson   
68CandelariaPresidio   
69CandlishBee   
70Canyon CityComalBarren, submerged 1960s
71Canyon ValleyCrosby   
72Cap RockCrosby   
73CaputGaines   
74CarltonHamiltonSemi-abandoned site  
75CarpenterWilson   
76Carta ValleyEdwards   
77CarterParker   
78Casa BlancaJim Wells   
79Casa PiedraPresidio   
80CastolonBrewster   
81Cedar CreekWashington   
82Cedar StationTerrell   
83Center PointCamp  1865
84Center PointHays   
85Center PointHopkins   
86Center PointKerr   
87Center PointPanola   
88Center PointTrinity   
89Center PointUpshur   
90Chalk MountainErathAbandoned site  
91CheapsideGonzales   
92CheyenneWinkler   
93ChinatiPresidio   
94Chinese Coal MineJeff Davis   
95ChispaJeff Davis   
96Cibolo SettlementComalNo longer exists  
97CincinnatiWalker   
98ClairemontKentSemi-abandoned site1950's1892
99ClairetteErath   
100ClaraWichita   
101ClarevilleBee   
102ClickLlano   
103ClintonDeWitt   
104ClifdenMedina   
105Close CityGarzaNo longer exists  
106County LineLubbock/Hale   
107CoffeevilleUpshur   
108CokeWood   
109CokerBexar   
110Cold SpringsUvalde   
111Coles SettlementWashington   
112College MoundKaufmanBarren site  
113ColtharpHouston   
114ComynComanche   
115ConcreteGuadalupe   
116CopanoRefugio   
117CoraComancheBarren site 1857
118Corn HillWilliamsonSemi-abandoned site  
119Cottage HillBexar   
120Cowden PlaceWinkler   
121CrestonioDuval   
122CrispEllis   
123Cryer CreekNavarro   
124Currey's CreekKendall  1850
125CurryStephensBarren: Submerged  
126CuthbertMitchell  1890
127Dalby SpringsBowie   
128DanvilleGregg   
129DarilekWilson   
130DarwinWebb   
131DeckerNolan   
132DelandErath   
133DenhawkenWilson   
134DesdemonaEastlandHistoric Community 1877
135DeweesWilson   
136Dias E Ocho Creek CampPresidio   
137DidoTarrantAbandoned 1848
138DietzGuadalupe   
139DillonHopkins   
140DixieGrayson   
141Doan's CrossingWilbarger  1878
142Dodge CityWilliamson   
143DoloresWebb   
144Dolores ViejoZapata   
145Dolores NuevoZapata   
146Doseido ColonyWilson   
147DooleConcho  1911
148DropDentonSemi-abandoned1,9101854
149DrumrightGlasscock   
150DrydenTerrell   
151DuffauErath   
152DullLa Salle   
153DumasWood   
154Dye MoundMontague   
155Eagle CreekWilson   
156Eagle's NestVal Verde   
157EbonyMills   
158EckertGillespie   
159EgyptLeon   
160EliasvilleYoungSemi-abandoned site  
161ElizabethtownDentonBarren site18801850
162Elm CreekGuadalupe   
163EmeraldCrockett   
164EmmaCrosby   
165EnonHouston   
166EnonUpshur   
167EpworthHale   
168EsperanzaMontgomery   
169EstacadoCrosby/Lubbock   
170EtholenHudspeth   
171EtnaCherokee   
172FairviewWilson   
173FarewellDallam   
174FarmerYoung   
175FaskenAndrews   
176FastrillCherokee   
177FloraSmith   
178Fort BelknapYoung   
179Fort GriffinShackelford   
180Fort HollandPresidio   
181Fort HudsonVal Verde   
182Fort Martin ScottGillespie   
183Fort McKavettMenardHistoric community1900s1850s
184Fort OldhamBurleson   
185Fort Phantom HillJones   
186Fort QuitmanHudspeth   
187Fort TerrettSutton   
188Frio TownFrio   
189FrosaLimestone   
190FryBrown   
191FuquaLiberty   
192Gander SluGuadalupe   
193Gay HillWashington   
194GhentCherokee   
195GillilandKnox   
196GirvinPecos   
197GlenrioDeaf Smith   
198GoforthHays   
199Gold, TexasGillespie   
200Golden Pond, TexasStonewall   
201Gomez, TexasTerry   
202GoodwillWashington   
203GorbitDallasHistoric Community19041889
204GoshenWalker   
205GraballWashington   
206GranvilleAngelina   
207GrapetownGillespie   
208Grass Pond ColonyWilson   
209GrassyvilleBastropAbandoned site  
210Gray MuleFloyd   
211GraytownWilson   
212Green ValleyDentonSemi-abandoned site  
213GriceUpshur   
214GritMason   
215GrueneComal   
216Guadalupe CityGuadalupe   
217GulfMatagorda   
218GunsightStephens   
219HackberryLavaca   
220HagermanGraysonBarren: Submerged  
221Hale CityHale   
222HandleyTarrantHistoric community1,9461876
223Hart CampLamb   
224HaslamShelby   
225Hay FlatLoving/Winkler   
226HayrickCoke   
227HeckvilleLubbock   
228Hedwigs Hill, TexasMason   
229HelenaKarnes  1852
230HelmicTrinity   
231Henry's ChapelCherokee   
232Hickory FlatsBastrop   
233HildaMason   
234HoltSan Saba   
235Honey CreekComal   
236Hot SpringsBrewster   
237HuffArcher   
238HughesIrion   
239HuronHill   
240IlkaGuadalupe   
241Illinois BendMontague   
242IndianolaCalhounBarren site, submerged  
243IndioStarr/Presidio   
244IrelandCoryell/Hamilton   
245Iron BridgeGregg   
246IslitasWebb   
247IzoroLampasas   
248Jakes ColonyGuadalupe   
249JarvisAnderson   
250JeanYoung   
251JermynJack   
252JewelEastland   
253Jim TownDallas   
254JimkurnStephens   
255JoinervilleRusk   
256JonesboroCoryell/Hamilton   
257JudHaskell   
258JuniperCoke   
259JunoVal Verde   
260JusticeburgGarza   
261KellyvilleMarion   
262KelmNavarro   
263KelseyUpshur   
264KelsoDeaf Smith   
265KentCulberson   
266KicasterWilsonSemi-abandoned  
267KimballBosque   
268KingsmillGray   
269KirkBexar   
270KirklandChildress   
271KittieLive Oak   
272KittrellWalker   
273KnightPolk   
274KnoxvilleCherokee   
275La CasaStephens   
276La LomitaHidalgo   
277La PlataPresidio   
278La ReunionDallasBarren[262]  
279LajitasBrewsterHistoric community  
280LangtryVal VerdeAbandoned site  
281LarissaCherokeeSemi-abandoned site  
282Las CabrasWilson   
283Las IslasWilson   
284LaureliaPolk   
285League FourCrosby   
286LeesvilleGonzales   
287LemonvilleOrange   
288LevitaCoryell   
289Linnville, Brazoria County, TexasBrazoria   
290Linnville, Calhoun County, TexasCalhoun   
291LoboCulbersonAbandoned site  
292LockerSan Saba   
293LodiWilson   
294LoireWilson   
295Loma VistaWilson   
296Lone OakBexarHistoric community  
297LongfellowPecos   
298LonghornBexarAbsorbed  
299Lookout ValleyBexar   
300Los OjuelosWebb   
301LouettaHarris   
302LowellErath   
303LozierPecos   
304LuckenbachGillespieSemi-abandoned site  
305LuxelloBexar   
306LyraPalo Pinto   
307Lytton SpringsCaldwell   
308MacksvilleComanche   
309Madera SpringsJeff Davis   
310MagwaltWinkler   
311MandaTravis   
312ManesteeTom Green   
313MangumEastland   
314ManningAngelina   
315MantuaCollin   
316MarcelinaWilson   
317MarysvilleCooke   
318MaxdaleBell   
319McDuffBastrop   
320McGirkHamilton   
321McNeilWilliamsonHistoric community  
322Medicine MoundHardeman   
323MendotaHemphill   
324MentoneLovingHistoric community  
325MerleBurleson   
326MerrilltownTravisHistoric community  
327MesquiteBordenAbandoned site  
328Mill CreekGuadalupe   
329MillvilleRusk   
330Mineral SpringsPanola   
331Minters ChapelTarrant   
332MobeetieWheeler   
333Monte ChristoHidalgo   
334MonthaliaGonzales   
335MoralesJackson   
336Mormon MillBurnet   
337MorrillCherokee   
338Morris RanchGillespie   
339Mount BlancoCrosby   
340Mount OliveMills   
341MuellersvilleWashington   
342Mustang PrairieFalls   
343NarcissoCottle   
344NeighborsvilleComal   
345Neuse StoreComal   
346New BirminghamCherokee   
347New DanvilleGreggHistoric community  
348New FountainMedina   
349New GulfWharton   
350New LynnLynn   
351New SwedenTravis   
352NewportClay   
353NixLampasas   
354NockenutWilson   
355NogalOchiltree   
356NorfleetHale   
357North RobyFisherBarren site  
358NottawaWharton   
359NoxvilleKimble   
360O'DanielGuadalupe   
361Oak ForestGonzales   
362Oak HillBastrop   
363Oak HillTravisHistoric community1990s1870
364OaklandColorado   
365OchiltreeOchiltree   
366OchoaPresidio   
367OddsLimestone/Falls   
368OhioHamilton   
369Ojo de VerandaPresidio   
370OlgaNolan   
371OliveHardin   
372OlmosGuadalupe   
373Opdyke namesake of Opdyke WestHockleyAbandoned site  
374OrientTom Green   
375OrlaReevesHistoric community  
376OrlenaCookeSubmerged  
377OsageColorado   
378OsoFayette   
379Otis ChalkHoward  1926
380OttoFalls   
381OwensCrosby   
382OwensvilleRobertson   
383OwenvilleSutton   
384PandoraWilson   
385PadgettYoung   
386Palm ValleyWilliamsonHistoric community  
387PandaleVal Verde   
388ParitaBexar   
389Park SpringsWise   
390ParrisCollin   
391Paso RealCameron/Willacy   
392Peach CreekWharton   
393Peach Tree VillageTyler   
394Pear ValleyMcCullochSemi-abandoned  
395PedernalesGillespie   
396PenickJones   
397PericoDallam   
398PescaditoWebb   
399Peyton ColonyBlanco   
400PhelanBastrop   
401PhillipsHutchinson 1,936 
402Pila BlancaDuval   
403PilaresPresidio   
404Pine SpringsCulberson   
405PisekColorado   
406PisgahNavarro   
407PittsvilleFort Bend   
408PlataPresidio   
409Pleasant HillHouston   
410PlemonsHutchinson   
411Plummer CrossingWilson   
412PoestaBee   
413PoloniaCaldwell   
414PontotocMason   
415Port SullivanMilam   
416PortervilleLoving   
417PorvenirPresidio   
418PrahaNewton   
419PrestonWharton   
420PrincetonNewtonAbandoned  
421PringleHutchinson   
422ProffittYoung   
423Provident CityColorado 1930s1909
424PumpvilleVal Verde   
425PyoteWard   
426QuigleyJasper   
427QuincyBee   
428Rath CityStonewall   
429RaynerStonewall   
430RedbarnPecos   
431Red River StationMontague   
432RegencyMills   
433RemligJasper   
434RexvilleAustin   
435RidoutWilson   
436Rock IslandWashington/Waller   
437RooseveltKimble   
438Rooster SpringsHays   
439Ross CityHoward   
440Royston, TexasFisher   
441Runnels CityRunnels   
442Rustler SpringsCulberson   
443St. Mary's of AransasRefugio   
444SageBurnet   
445SalonaMontague   
446Salt FlatHudspeth   
447Salt GapMcCullouch   
448Sam FordyceHidalgo   
449SaspamcoWilson   
450San VicenteBrewster   
451SancoCoke   
452Sandy HillsWilson   
453Santa RitaCameron   
454Santo TomásWebb   
455Sarahville de ViescaFalls   
456SavageCrosby   
457SavageFannin   
458SenterfittLampasas   
459ShafterPresidio   
460Shafter LakeAndrews   
461ShannonClay   
462Sher-HanHansford   
463SherwoodIrion   
464Signal HillHutchinson   
465SilverCoke   
466Sipe SpringsComanche   
467Sipe SpringsMilam   
468Sivells BendCooke   
469SlideLubbock   
470SmeltertownEl Paso   
471SmithfieldTarrantAbsorbed1958 
472SoashHoward   
473SowersDallasHistoric community  
474Spanish FortMontagueNeglected  
475SpurlinHamilton   
476StarrvilleSmith   
477SterleyFloyd   
478SterlingRobertson   
479Steward's MillFreestone   
480StilesReagan  Before 1877
481SullivanGuadalupe   
482SumpterTrinity   
483SunnysideMenard   
484Sunshine HillWichita   
485Sutherland SpringsWilson   
486SwartwoutPolk   
487SwastikaHale   
488SwedenDuval   
489Sweet HomeGuadalupe  Before 1877
490SycamoreGuadalupe   
491TarrantHopkins   
492TascosaOldham   
493Tee Pee CityMotley   
494TehuacanaLimestoneHistoric community  
495TelegraphKimble   
496TelicoEllis   
497TennysonCoke   
498TerlinguaBrewster   
499TexanaJackson   
500TexlaOrange   
501TexonReagan   
502The GroveCoryell   
503Three OaksWilson   
504ThurberErathSemi-abandoned siteca. 19371888
505TiemannGuadalupe   
506TigertownWashington   
507ToadsuckGrayson   
508TokioTerry   
509TolbertWilbarger   
510ToyahReevesSemi-abandoned site  
511ToyahvaleReeves   
512TowashHill   
513TrickhamColemanSemi-abandoned  
514TuckerAnderson   
515TuckertownNavarro   
516TuffBandera   
517TuletaBee   
518TurpentineJasper   
519Twin SistersBlanco   
520Union ValleyWilson   
521UnityWilson   
522UplandUpton   
523UptonBastrop   
524UticaSmith   
525VandenburgMedina   
526VerbenaGarza   
527VesrueWinkler   
528Vieja SpringsPresidio   
529Virginia CityBailey   
530WaringKendall   
531WarrenFannin   
532Wasp CreekKendall   
533WastellaNolan   
534WatsonRed River/Comanche 1936 
535WatkinsTerrell   
536WatkinsVan Zandt   
537WaysideLynn   
538WelfareKendallSemi-abandoned  
539WenascoJasper   
540White CityGaines   
541WhitewayHamiltonSemi-abandoned  
542WhiteflatMotleySemi-abandoned  
543WhittenburgHutchinson   
544Who'd Thought ItHopkins   
545WhonColemanSemi-abandoned  
546Wild Cat BluffAnderson   
547Williams RanchMills   
548WinkelmannWashington 19891983
549WintergreenKarnes   
550WoodwardLaSalleSemi-abandoned  
551WoodyLoving   
552YeguaWashington   
553ZeirathJasper   
554ZellaMcMullen   
555ZilerHoward   
556ZionvilleWashington   
557ZornGuadalupe   
558ZuehlGuadalupe