Terlingua Ghost Town

There are no fences in the ghost town, so roam around. Explore. Imagine. You'll find a lot of things to think about. Conveniently located in scenic downtown Terlingua, Texas -- just a few exits past the end of the world -- Ghost Town Texas is a special place. This spectacularly primitive Texas landscape and the ruins of the Chisos Mining Company are the setting for exploration, relaxation, and good times. Stop by, sip a cool drink, enjoy the shade of our front porch, and hang out. You'll go home with some stories to tell. Terlingua is the proud home of the historic Chisos Mining Company, the original Chili Cookoff (both of 'em), Carroll Shelby's Championship Terlingua Racing Team, and the world famous Terlingua Trading Company (that's us). The recent 'gentrification' of downtown Terlingua has brought visitors to our thriving urban center -- and indoor plumbing, too. "Terlingua Proper" has a population of several dozen, counting the living residents of the Ghost Town, plus a few neighbors (and anyone driving by on their way to the Big Bend National Park (northbound) or the Big Bend Ranch State Park (southbound)). With all the roadside attractions, sometimes it seems like Las Vegas in the desert -- a REAL desert -- and thus the popular "Viva Terlingua" bumper stickers and reported sightings of Elvis singing in the cemetery. You'll find everythng from a pirate ship to a sand-locked submarine and the Statue of Liberty -- not to mention a few weird things that defy explanation beyond perhaps Terlingua's friendly "Beer Drive-Thru." Just to be absolutely clear -- Terlingua has no Walmart, no Starbucks, no McDonalds, no Four Seasons Hotel, no Spagos and -- unlike every other town in Texas -- no Dairy Queen or Radio Shack. They're all fine establishments, but they can't cut it in Terlingua. It's not that we don't like franchises -- but in Terlingua when you go out to eat, you can look the owner in the eye. That means he or she will try a little harder to make your visit a pleasure.