Terlingua

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 12, 2025 17:59