"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime"-MARK TWAIN

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Ghost Town Terlingua

 

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Driving the big bend area of Texas, appearing to be nothing but dirt and rock, one can hardly imagine what the area looked like a hundred year ago. The town of Terlingua was a booming place in the early 1900’s. Cinnabar, the ore from which mercury is extracted, was discovered in the area in the late 1800’s.  By 1903, a man named Howard Perry had established the Chisos Mining Company. His workers provided the world with mercury until 1946, when the mine closed. Terlingua grew up around his mine, with a population of over 2000.  The remnants of that period in history are scattered along a few ridges that made up the mining camp. You’re free to wander among what remains. 

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Some are being restored.

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A few have been reconditioned and are enjoying a second life.  The old mercantile building, with it’s wide porch, is a popular place each evening. Locals and visitors alike share chairs and bench’s, and swap events of the day, or of a lifetime.

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A century of wear on those old adobe bricks.

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Porch dogs.  There were six or eight that greeted each visitor.  Appeared they belonged to no one in particular.

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The Starlight Theatre is a thriving restaurant.  Opening at five each evening, it is probably the most popular dining destination of the Big Bend area.  Happy hour brings you in early, and the meals will keep you there for quite a while, enjoying every bite.

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Still some rusty artifacts around.

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Terlingua ghost town is just one of the many unusual attractions in the big bend of Texas.  I had a number of things on the list for us to do while in the area, and the list grew longer each day.  Hopefully, we will go that way again next January.  Maybe even a week earlier than the gathering in Lajitas. There’s just so much to see and do, and so little time……….jc

17 comments:

  1. What a really neat place!!! What amazing history must be hidden in the ruins of a time gone by!!! We have decided to attend Lajitas next year, Lord willing, so we will be doing some exploring ourselves!!! Great pics!!

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    1. That's great. Get your reservation soon. They're going fast.:-)

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  2. I will be there in about two weeks for until it gets too hot for me. I have been going there for decades and feel I have seen about 3% of the neat to me things in the area. Have fun.

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    1. wish we were still there to see you. Maybe next year.

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  3. I can just see the words of some western novel materialize before my eyes. Thanks Jerry. Great pictures.

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    1. Thanks Emily. Was hoping to see some of your area on way further West. Hopefully, next year.

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  4. Good tour, it has been a long time since we we there.

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  5. Ahh...Terlingua, great place to not only roam...but also photo ops...BB area has such diverse vistas....sorry you had to cut your trip short...but now you have a reason to go back.....looks like you may get another chance for more "Winter photo Ops".....round two is coming here today with winds up to 40mph....take care....Horst sends

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    1. Yep. More rain, snow, and sleet on the way. Wishing we were still down South.

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    2. My brain was not fully engaged this AM....those where some terrific shots of Terlingua...I guess you're enjoying the new camera???...have a grand and warm week...Horst sends

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  6. What a lovely showing of western adornment....the church stuck with me and the welcome crew is as adorable as well!

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  7. Shucks--when I saw the title I thought you guys had headed out once again!

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  8. You do a great job with your ghost towns! We have yet to see any of them...great story...thanks!

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  9. Great pics of Terlingua Ghost Town Jerry - you showed it well. We miss it!

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Thanks for looking, and comments are welcome.