12 Eerily Beautiful Ghost Towns That Will Haunt Your Wanderlust

Lisette Marie

February 24, 2025

5. Terlingua, Texas – A Deserted Wild West Town

The rusted frame of a car abandoned in the Terlingua Ghost Town near the cluster of limestone buildings made by workers. The car is surrounded by scrubby cactus and creosote bushes. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons @ClaudiaDurand

Once a booming mercury mining town in the 1880s, Terlingua is now a hauntingly beautiful ghost town in the Texas desert. Abandoned homes, rusting mining equipment, and a weathered cemetery with wooden crosses leaning under the desert sun give this town an undeniable air of mystery. However, unlike most ghost towns, Terlingua isn’t entirely abandoned. A handful of modern-day residents live among the ruins, running quirky art galleries and hosting annual chili cook-offs, making this ghost town a unique mix of past and present.

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12 Eerily Beautiful Ghost Towns That Will Haunt Your Wanderlust

5. Terlingua, Texas – A Deserted Wild West Town

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