Ghost Towns Near Austin, Texas

With a wild west history, a harsh landscape and centuries of quickly-changing economic factors, it’s no wonder that Texas has more than a few ghost towns out beyond even the most rural of communities.

8 abandoned towns in Texas

Blue

Founded in the 1840s by three brothers who were veterans of the Mexican War, Blue is a ghost town (technically, it’s a “dispersed community” now)  located in Lee County about 60 miles east of Austin  The small town quickly grew and soon had a post office, a school and a number of businesses.

Unfortunately, Blue's fortunes began to decline in the early 1900s due to a number of factors, including the construction of a new railroad that bypassed the town. By 1945, only 25 people lived in Blue.

Today, Blue is a popular destination for ghost hunters and history buffs. Visitors can explore the ruins of the town's old buildings, including the church, the school and the general store. They can also visit the Blue Ghost Town Cemetery — is the final resting place of many of the short-lived town's former residents.

Distance from Austin: 50 minutes

Bluffton

Bluffton is a town that drowned and was reborn. Once a thriving community, Bluffton was submerged by the Colorado River in the early 20th century — years later, the waters receded and the ruins of Bluffton were unearthed.

Today, Bluffton is a popular destination for four-wheelers and birdwatchers. Visitors can explore the ruins of Bluffton's old buildings, hike through the surrounding Hill Country and experience the best of the Texas countryside.

Distance from Austin: 1 hour, 25 minutes

Catarina

Reportedly named after a woman who died in the area, Catarina is a tiny semi-ghost town with a big past. Located in Dimmit County about an hour from the Mexican border, Catarina was once a thriving railroad junction, but over the years the town's economy declined due to a shortage of water and a generally bad economy. Today, there are just less than a hundred residents living in Catarina.

But don't let the town's small size fool you. Catarina has a lot to offer visitors, including beautiful scenery, historic buildings, and a unique atmosphere. If you're looking for a unique and offbeat place to visit in Texas, be sure to check out Catarina.

Distance from Austin: 3 hours, 12 minutes

Indianola

Indianola was once a thriving port city with the potential to rival other major Gulf ports like Galveston and New Orleans — at least, until two hurricanes in the late 1800s dashed those dreams. Today, Indianola is a ghost town, but it's still a fascinating place to see the granite monument to the French explorer La Salle, wander through the ruins of old buildings and imagine what life was like here on the Gulf Coast over a hundred years ago.

Distance from Austin: 3 hours

J. Lorraine Ghost Town

J. Lorraine Ghost Town is a recreation of a Wild West town that once stood in Manor, Texas. It was founded in the 1850s and was a popular stop for travelers and outlaws alike. The town was eventually burned down by a group of vigilantes, but it was rebuilt in the 1980s as a tourist attraction.

Today, J. Lorraine Ghost Town is a popular spot for families and history buffs alike, though it’s still very much an accurate representation of a real, bona-fide ghost town and its history. Visitors can explore the town's many buildings, including a saloon, a jail and a blacksmith shop. There are also a number of interactive exhibits and activities, such as a panning for gold exhibit and a maze. 

Distance from Austin: 25 minutes

Oatmeal

Oatmeal, Texas is a ghost town located in Burnet County, about 50 miles northwest of Austin. It was originally founded in the 1840s by German families, and the name "Oatmeal" is thought to be a corruption of the name of the first gristmill owner, Mr. Othneil.

One of the most notable features of Oatmeal is its water tower, which is painted to look like a box of oatmeal. The water tower was built in the 1920s and is one of the few remaining structures in the town that is still in good condition.

Distance from Austin: 1 hour

Sherwood

Sherwood is a ghost town with a picturesque past which has attracted visitors for decades!

This small, country town used to be the county seat of Irion County, but when the railroads and highways bypassed the town and headed through Mertzon instead, it slowly declined. Today, Sherwood is a tiny rural community, but it still has its beautiful courthouse, which features a false clock with its hands set to the hour of Abraham Lincoln's death.

If you're looking for a unique and atmospheric place to visit, Sherwood is definitely worth a trip. Just be sure to bring your imagination!

Distance from Austin: 4 hours

The Grove

If this place doesn’t sound like a ghost town, then we don’t know what does!

The Grove is a tiny ghost town with a big heart. Founded in the 1850s and named after a grove of beautiful oak trees, The Grove once had a population of about 400 people. But today, it's a quiet hamlet with a few remaining residents and a lot of history.

If you're looking for a unique and atmospheric place to visit, be sure to check out The Grove. Take a walk around the town and explore the ruins of the old general stores, cotton gin and other buildings. And if you're lucky, you might even spot a ghost! The Grove is said to be haunted by the spirits of its former residents, but don't worry, they're friendly.

Distance from Austin: 1 hour, 20 minutes

If you live in or near our luxury Austin apartments, then be sure to check out these old towns next time you're looking for a trip through Texas’s wild west history!

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Featured photo courtesy Pixabay/ArtTower