Shafter, Silver mining ghost town in Presidio County, Texas.
Shafter is an abandoned mining settlement in the mountain region of West Texas, situated near creeks and surrounded by desert hills. The remains of buildings and mining structures define the landscape of this deserted place.
Silver was discovered here in 1880, leading to the founding of a mining company and the settlement of a town. The mines operated and produced ore for decades before eventually declining and closing.
The cemetery holds graves of early settlers and miners who came to work the silver deposits. These burial sites reflect the lives of people drawn to this remote mountain location for opportunity.
The site sits near a main road and remains relatively accessible for visitors. Be aware that the location is remote with few nearby services or facilities.
The abandoned site served as a filming location for a science fiction movie in the 1970s, giving it an unusual connection to film history. This connection adds an unexpected layer to understanding the place's past.
Location: Presidio County
Elevation above the sea: 1,189 m
GPS coordinates: 29.82030,-104.30300
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02
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 for this variety. A traveler can hike through dry canyons one day and wade through marshland the next. The state preserves places from different chapters of history. Spanish missions built in the 18th century stand near Native American quarries used for thousands of years. Mining towns and military forts from the 1800s now sit empty, their wooden structures weathered by sun and wind. Plantation houses with wide porches remain from before the Civil War. Visitors can also find a Japanese garden in San Antonio, a replica of Stonehenge in the Hill Country, and underwater caves where divers explore submerged passages. The variety makes it possible to see ancient footprints, colonial architecture, and ghost towns in the same trip.
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