Terlingua

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Published on Saturday, 04 July 2009 17:00

Written by Mike Davidson

Historic Terlingua was a booming mining town from the turn of the 20th century through World War II. Today, parts of it have been restored, and visitors find gift shops, restaurants, bars, hotel accommodations and other amenities.

Historic Terlingua, (map) located just off of Highway 170, 12 miles east of Lajitas, is often referred to as the "Ghost Town". From the turn of the century through World War II, it was home of the Chisos Mine, which extracted cinnabar, or Mercury ore. The Chisos was the largest of almost a dozen cinnabar mines in what was once know as the Terlingua Mining District, which extended from the Mariscal Mine in what is now Big Bend Park, 70 miles northwest to Buena Suerte, 7 miles north of Lajitas. During the boom days of 1913-1918, the population of Chisos Mine and Historic Terlingua was over 2000.

Several structures have been restored or stabilized. The main building once housed the largest retail store between Del Rio and El Paso. It now houses shops and a restaurant. Many of the stone miners' cabins have been restored by a new generation of inhabitants. The massive adobe walls of the original owners mansion still stand, and demonstrate how quickly boom goes to bust.

Although Historic Terlingua is all private property, much of it is open to the public. Check in at the Terlingua Trading Company to find out what's off limits and what's not. The sunset views of the Chisos Mountains from the Terlingua Porch are without compare.