Terlingua, Ghost town in Brewster County, Texas, United States.
Terlingua is a ghost town in Brewster County, Texas, situated between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. The settlement consists of adobe ruins, trading company structures, and offers views of mountain ranges.
The discovery of mercury in the 1880s transformed the area into a mining town with one thousand residents. The Chisos Mining Company filed for bankruptcy in 1942, leading to the decline of the settlement.
The first chili championship began in 1967 and grew into an annual November gathering that brings over ten thousand people to this desert settlement. During the event, the ghost town becomes a lively meeting point with music and stalls.
The Starlight Theatre Restaurant and Bar, art galleries, and the Terlingua Trading Company offer services for visitors exploring the desert settlement. Arriving by car is recommended, as there are no public transport options.
The cemetery, established in 1903, contains wooden crosses marking graves of miners who died in accidents and during the flu epidemic. Many burial sites are decorated with personal items and handwritten messages.
Location: Brewster County
Elevation above the sea: 764 m
GPS coordinates: 29.32167,-103.61611
Latest update: December 18, 2025 18:22
Texas combines landscapes that barely resemble each other. The west spreads out in deserts and sand dunes, while the east is marked by swamps and dense forests. Between these extremes lie limestone cliffs, natural springs, and waterfalls that bubble up from the ground. The size of the state allows...
The United States have hundreds of abandoned towns. This selection includes 100 of these places where time seems to stand still. Most grew rich in the 19th century through gold or silver finds. They attracted miners, traders, and whole families. When the veins were empty, people left. They left...
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