Notice: Function wp_enqueue_script was called incorrectly. Scripts and styles should not be registered or enqueued until the wp_enqueue_scripts, admin_enqueue_scripts, or login_enqueue_scripts hooks. This notice was triggered by the nfd_wpnavbar_setting handle. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 3.3.0.) in /home1/padillys/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6078

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home1/padillys/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php:6078) in /home1/padillys/public_html/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1831

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home1/padillys/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php:6078) in /home1/padillys/public_html/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1831

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home1/padillys/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php:6078) in /home1/padillys/public_html/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1831

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home1/padillys/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php:6078) in /home1/padillys/public_html/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1831

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home1/padillys/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php:6078) in /home1/padillys/public_html/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1831

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home1/padillys/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php:6078) in /home1/padillys/public_html/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1831

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home1/padillys/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php:6078) in /home1/padillys/public_html/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1831

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home1/padillys/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php:6078) in /home1/padillys/public_html/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1831
{"id":5166,"date":"2018-08-28T18:00:38","date_gmt":"2018-08-28T18:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mrspadillystravels.com\/?page_id=5166"},"modified":"2021-06-16T22:35:19","modified_gmt":"2021-06-16T22:35:19","slug":"terlingua-ghost-town-texas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mrspadillystravels.com\/terlingua-ghost-town-texas\/","title":{"rendered":"Terlingua Ghostown"},"content":{"rendered":"
Reflections on the desert.<\/span><\/h5>\n

Could this be Texas’ version of the Devil’s Triangle? Anchored, one on each corner, are Marfa, Alpine, and Terlingua, and at some point in-between them, you get lost.<\/p>\n

~\u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0~\u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 ~\u00a0 \u00a0 ~<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Terlingua resulted in the biggest disappointment during my first Big Bend Country trip ~ I didn’t give myself enough time to visit.<\/p>\n

This “Ghostown” in the middle of the\u00a0Chihuahuan Desert, near Big Bend National Park and the US\/Mexico border, has some kind of hold on me. It is the last place I would ever want to live, yet I have been there twice in the last year, and am already thinking of my next trip.<\/p>\n

Davis Mountain State Park<\/a>\u00a0served as home base during or first trip to the region (we stayed in Alpine on or most recent trip). We planned our visit to Terlingua to be part of a big round-trip through Big Bend, giving us about two hours to visit.\u00a0 But soon after we arrived, I quickly realized we should have spent the day exploring.<\/p>\n

\n

TRAVEL PHOTOS, TRIVIA & TIPS:<\/span><\/h4>\n

Terlingua is located about 83 miles south of Alpine, and the drive included some the most breathtaking scenery I saw during our trip.<\/p>\n

\"The
The Road to Terlingua<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The main attraction is the ghost town (or “Ghostown”), which rose up in the desert in the 1880’s. It was a\u00a0mining town, which mined cinnabar used to make mercury. Once home to 2000 people, it was abandoned in the 1940’s after the mine filed bankruptcy.\u00a0 The current population of the town is around 58 (as of 2010).<\/p>\n

The ghost town includes a school, church, and many other buildings. Some are preserved, even being converted to usable buildings, while others are in ruins.<\/p>\n

\"Terlingua
Old unidentified building<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The
The old Perry School<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Look
Looking out a Perry School window towards old church.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Old
The old church. There are signs they are restoring the building.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With several educators in my family, including myself, I find the abandoned schools in Terlingua fascinating.<\/p>\n

One of the things I like to collect when traveling are books from local authors.\u00a0 During my last visit I picked up Trent Jones and Carlton Stowers book, Terlingua Teacher,<\/em><\/a>\u00a0at the Terlingua Trading Company.<\/p>\n

An enjoyable read that really gives you a sense of life here in the 70’s. It’s tells the story of how Trent Jones came to Terlingua to teach a group of students in what was to be the last one room schoolhouse<\/a> in Texas, the colorful people who live in the unforgiving part of Texas, and what being a teacher truly means.\u00a0 If you can’t get to the Trading Company to pick you up a copy, you can order it here<\/a>. (affiliate link<\/em>)<\/p>\n

\"Terlingua
Door of another old schoolhouse.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Around Town<\/span><\/h5>\n

Some of the “newer” old buildings seem to be occupied by residents and local artists.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This area is so unbelievably\u00a0barren\u00a0and beautiful. Quirky. Artsy. Unpretentious. Perfect.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Art
Local art gallery display.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea are extra showy in the desert.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Old<\/p>\n

This panorama shows the town of Terlingua to the right, with Big Bend National Park’s mountains in the distance. I’m standing on top of a hill in the ghost town.<\/p>\n

\"Panorama-Terlingua-Texas\"<\/p>\n

Visiting the ghost town is free. Just park in designated parking, and walk around.<\/p>\n

The Heart of the Town<\/span><\/h5>\n

The heart of the town appears to be the Terlingua Trading Company…at least for tourists.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

In all honesty, it is a place you have to hang out while there.\u00a0 If you can avoid all the souvenirs (I couldn’t), grab yourself a drink and sit on the porch. Porch sitting seems to be the favorite pastime of most visitors.\u00a0 They even leave guitars on the porch, and I was lucky to have someone pick one up and play during my last visit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It appears one of us had more fun than the other.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Even Miss Roxie\u00a0enjoyed the porch, and was completely unaware she was not welcomed.<\/p>\n

\"Roxie
Roxie the Schnoxie enjoy the porch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not only do visitors ignore this warning on the porch, the woman in the shop let me bring Roxie inside to help us get a break from the heat (and let me do more shopping).<\/p>\n

\"Terlingua-Dogs-off-porch\"<\/p>\n

A couple of stools outside the Starlight Theater.\u00a0 I did not get an opportunity to eat there as the “no dogs allowed” rule does apply here.<\/p>\n

\"Starlight<\/p>\n

\"Terlingua
The Terlingua Jail also houses the public restrooms.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We did find a dog friendly place to eat at Rustic Iron BBQ! It’s on the main (i.e. only) road into town, and the food was great!<\/p>\n

\"Rustic<\/p>\n

\"Rustic
View from the outdoor dining.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Roxie
Trying to find a patch of grass became difficult for Roxie. She adapted.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Terlingua Cemetery<\/span><\/h5>\n

What would a ghost town be without a cemetery? I don’t know about you, but I find cemeteries to be very beautiful and peaceful places to go, and actually plan my trips to go see them.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

You can learn so much about life from the headstones of the dead.<\/p>\n

\"Grave
1940-196? – Don Smith – “Held in the arms of my desert I assuredly rest in peace.”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Could this be Texas’ Devil’s triangle after all?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"Terlingua<\/p>\n

Happy Trails,<\/span>
\nMrs. Padilly<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow me on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Facebook<\/a>, and\u00a0NOW YOUTUBE<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Also, if you haven’t already, check out my popular Casita<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Shasta<\/a>\u00a0Makeover Series, where I hope you find inspiration, and THANK YOU for your support!<\/p>\n

Join Padilly’s Mailing List!<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/form>\n\n
\n

Join Mrs. Padilly’s mailing list to receive my QUARTERLY e-letters with updates on my whereabouts, plus links to my latest travel reviews, projects, videos, and more! Just enter your email below. IMPORTANT Once you subscribe, you must check your email and confirm your subscription, and you will be on the list! NOTE: I NEVER share your email with anyone! It is only needed to subscribe to MrsPadillysTravels.com.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n