Forgotten History of a Ghost Town in Texas

Forgotten History of a Ghost Town in Texas - After discovering Mingus, we travel to one of Texas' premier ghost towns. Here we delve into its forgotten history. Once a thriving coal mining town with a population of nearly 10k, by the 1930s this Texas town was a ghost town. The question we seek to answer is why did Mingus, a small railroad town, survive & this bigger, booming coal town die? Discover this ghost town's forgotten history & learn what caused the death of this town in this episode of SightseeingSally.
Special shoutouts to: Scott & Jennifer for becoming our latest Fellow Sightseers on Patreon AND to the following for tipping our trip jar: Michael from Indiana, Sue from Illinois, and Joanne from Illinois. Thank You!!! We appreciate you helping us get to our next destination as we travel the backroads of America in our search of small towns and forgotten history.
About us: We grew up in a small town of the Midwest. Now we drive America's backroads exploring small towns, forgotten places, local history and more!
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#ghosttown #texas #forgottenhistory

[@luckytahlula6515]

I sold my soul to the company store, is from a song called 16 Tons. Some know it as Big John, I remember Jimmy Dean singing it.

[@charausten5242]

16 Tons lyrics: you load 16 tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper debt. St Peter don't you call me cause I cant go, I owe my soul to the company store. I also remember Larry Hooper singing 16 tons on the Lawrence Welk Show. He had a deep bass voice. BTW, Big John was a different song about a guy who gave his life holding up the supports so trapped miners could escape a cave in.

[@luckytahlula6515]

@@charausten5242 you are correct. I'm remembering from the Jimmy Dean album my aunt had. Duh, it sucks getting old. Thanks for the correction I knew something was bugging me about it before I sent it. I push that button anyway. Stay well and and God bless you. Oh since you're here, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year too.

[@charausten5242]

@@luckytahlula6515 😂 Obviously I'm showing my age with my harking back. Merry Christmas to you too.

[@bobburnitt5761]

"Tennessee" Ernie Ford sang 16 tons, not Jimmy Dean, at least initially for sure.

[@billquailes7882]

I remember 16 Tons was a hit in 1955 by Tennessee Ernie Ford. I was 13 that year.

[@michaelhager2846]

Thank you 😊

[@cherylpearson1963]

I like seeing the cemeteries and hearing about the people in them. I like your vids🥰

[@burns8772]

Super cool! I love small town histories :) Watching this while I paint

[@doingitwithnothing]

Vary interesting 😊

[@daleferguson1233]

😮love videos like this.. 😮

[@RodderFiles]

We all wanna See the Cemetarys too thank you, i love your tours thanks for your time and Dedication ;)

[@donpowlen]

I’ve driven by that place for decades and never stopped to wonder what it was. Thank you!

[@augustharter981]

I love cementaries. We try to visit old or historic cementaries in our travels! Thanks for sharing your visit. The history of the mining there is interesting! Wow that smokestack is amazing and the amount of coal still in the ground. I agree the fire hydrant is probably original. Enclosing the town in barb wire is definitely unique.The old church and old miners cabin is interesting. Thanks for sharing!!

[@joep9667]

very good ... may i submit one vote for including the cemeteries ... i think they're an important part of the history ...

[@SightseeingSally]

Yes! And it looks like others agree with you Joe

[@pennytill5183]

I for one love to visit old cenetaries

[@kbarnettbarnett8273]

I love an old cemetery. There’s so much history. The epitaphs on some are incredibly revealing. Thank you for doing this.

[@JohnShinn1960]

I've spent many hours in cemetaries reading headstones of people I didn't know, wondering what their lives were. Thanks Sally, Thanks Marty! 🤠👍👍👍

[@olivei2484]

We often visit them and clean up the random trash. Too far away to visit our past relatives, least we can do is take care of the local cemetery.

[@951willie]

Talking about red lead paint.

[@badgerpa9]

Ceramics used cadmium for red and also depleted uranium for red, orange, yellow glazing.

[@davesnothereman7250]

Love your vids. And coal mining. Mining history around Scranton and WV is fascinating. And Mar-Tay is correct on early red paint. One of its pigment elements was cadmium. Which is highly toxic.

[@JamesWitt-u6c]

So sad for the folks buried there.

[@chrismcgill]

you mentioned in this video that your audience doesn't appreciate cemeteries, and I'm here to say that I am not one of those people. I absolutely LOVE cemeteries. I found your channel actually while looking for cemetery explorations. So if you ever want to create any content with cemeteries or related topics, I am here for it 👍

[@JohnShinn1960]

I've spent many hours reading headstones of people I didn't know, wondering what their lives were.

[@katiemoyer8679]

Yes, many of us learn much from and enjoy seeing, hearing about cemeteries. Thank You Sally & Marty. 👌

[@joefw2446]

Been there many times over the years. Fun stuff... My grandfather came to Thurber from Italy in 1899 to mine coal. My mother was baptised in St Barbara's Church. They moved to Fort Worth in 1930. I20 now passes though what was the center of Thurber.

[@stevenbryant9648]

Very interesting, Thank you and wonderful holiday season.

[@SightseeingSally]

You’re welcome ☺️ Hope you have a wonderful holiday season also

[@jamesoneal737]

My Grandparents were married in Thurber in Oct. 1927 and lived in Erath County for many years. I live in Stephenville. Thanks for this video.

[@toms6756]

Another excellent video! What is the name of the song, it was perfect for this.

[@shawnmeyer2788]

There is Thurber Bricks in Bisbee Arizona.

[@earllutz2663]

Thank you again Sightseeing Sally and Marty. Another great video & explanations, from both of you.

[@pennytill5183]

Visited there about 25 years ago

[@griswald7156]

Hooray for Sally and Marty…..nice work guys….2 of the best toobers around..

[@SightseeingSally]

Aww 😊 thanks

[@d.jasonmcneese2730]

👍🏻👍🏻Please don’t skip the Historic Cemeteries in the Towns you visit. Thank you for providing these very fascinating productions.

[@dukainmanning7246]

I've eaten at The Smokestack restaurant. The steaks were definitely on point.

[@paulbryan3909]

Bituminous coal is found in north central Texas in Pennsylvanian rocks in Coleman, Eastland, Erath, Jack, McCulloch, Montague, Palo Pinto, Parker, Wise, Young, and other counties. Thurber is not the only location for bituminous coal in Texas. Thurber is in Erath county.

[@bonniekaye]

*Really loved this video!!* 🙂👍♥️♥️

[@SightseeingSally]

Thanks Bonnie ❤️❤️❤️

[@bonniekaye]

@@SightseeingSally You're welcome! ♥️

[@teresaburleson2112]

FYI: The Galveston Sea Wall was also built with Thurber Bricks. The W.K. Gordon Museum, across the interstate, is a wonderful museum about Thurber.

[@kimberlysweet3521]

I enjoy cemeteries. It's like a history book too me.

[@SightseeingSally]

That’s an interesting way to look at them, I like it!

[@rg1599]

The GW Gordon museum there is small but nice. Hope you got to see it.

[@RioAbajoBelen]

We love old cemeteries by the way. ;-) Doug and Pam Belen, New Mexico U.S.A.

[@SightseeingSally]

Thanks!

[@glenncastia]

Love your videos!

[@charausten5242]

That is one impressive smoke stack!

[@Ggmaquilts]

The song 16 tons was first made famous by Ernie Ford. He was before Jimmie Dean and had a wonderful deep voice.

[@stevethomas5209]

Seen that smoke stack many times driving truck. Always wanted to stop and check it out but I always had to keep rolling. Someone might say I was rolling my own coal.

[@homeownerbuilderservicesll6777]

I always stop and eat here the best food!!! EVER

[@gilbrowning4695]

There is also a great museum across I-20 about life in Thurber.

[@charlenetobola754]

Great fresh viewpoint, come by Edna, Tx & stop in at Texana Museum on th-fri-sat,8-5pm

[@gregelliott5016]

Have you done any videos in Nevada? Silver Peak and Beatty would be good one's to do

[@umberct]

I’ve seen the chimney from the interstate. Now, I know.

[@johncronin5311]

Tennesee Ernie Ford best version sold my soul to the company store~16 tons

[@zuzannawisniewska4464]

So much forgotten history, how many such forgotten stories. I really liked this movie . Very interesting. Love Texas because I love Texas. ❤👋

[@tomcaldwell5750]

Very interesting ghost town in Texas, Sally, thanks for sharing

[@ahmedhumayunrasheed2434]

Sally Fort Worth is near!

[@michiganjfrog5714]

We live in an old mining town. Last year they took down the big smokestack and we got video of it. They had big trucks spraying water on it to keep the dust down.

[@jeremiahmatthewgreatmanofpeace]

I'm old fashioned, I've been working for the same manufacturing company for over 26 years.

[@griswald7156]

Missed opportunities…

[@jeremiahmatthewgreatmanofpeace]

@@griswald7156 I'm sure I did.

[@griswald7156]

I’ve worked in loads of places..I only struck lucky once…the rest was just hard work and low pay..

[@pigoff123]

Poland is a beautiful country. We took some bus trips there an bought pottery.

[@freedmm3122]

I have been there and the food is good at the restaraunt😊

[@JSB1882]

Man! that was a beautifully designed smokestack - too bad it's not being kept up. I like seeing old cemeteries and who's buried there. Marty is a treat to have along for the ride too.

[@scottconnell8167]

Love your videos better than the History Channel👍 Safe travels & happy holidays

[@williamshaffer9216]

I've been to both Mingus and Thurber. Your Video does you proud!!!

[@robertmercer469]

Should have gone to Marfa tx to see the strange lights

[@128titanic]

Welcome! Nice to meet you! Thank Sally! Happy christmas!❤💚🧡.

[@ricklambert6234]

Cemeterys are full of history ,I love the personal comments on some headstones....some funny some sad.

[@mitzibutler6415]

🙏🏻

[@calmshorefilms1960]

Anyone remember going to the flea Market there?

[@dispostu1]

I enjoyed your coverage of Thurber, and have stood by that tower several times in the late '90s, mostly as a result of being in the area for a bicycle ride (usually in either Stephenville or DeLeon, TX). Those rides were about 100km through the country side and through the little towns around. I'm sorry I wasn't aware of that history when I was passing through there. One of my favorite little town names in that area was "Desdemona".

[@allenefremov9459]

Silence is not our heritage, but our destiny.. ❤❤

[@bradfordbarrettluckotheIrish]

Another awesome video Sally & Marty.

[@badgerpa9]

Mr. Marty is a smart cookie. The red made from cadmium is banned in the USA, also if you see old glazed ceramic plates, cups, etc the glaze on some was from depleted uranium. Every so often you will run across it at sales and they usually do not know it is slightly radioactive. . Excellent job on your videos Sally. Hope you guys are staying safe and healthy.

[@ashley8597]

I am related to several people from Menard, Texas. I'm related to the johnsons and measure my family is very on LBJ ranch and I found your video to be a very interesting. I would love to talk to someone from the Menard area (longtime resident ) that could possibly feel in some blanks and answers some questions for me.

[@ronniegillaspy]

Why didn’t you go across the street and eat at the restaurant? They have GREAT pancakes. And go check out Strawn TX. and if you go to Strawn, eat at Mary’s Cafe - order a chicken fried steak! Best in Texas!!!

[@stephenvinson6474]

I have passed by Thurber many times in my life. I knew it was a company town. I knew it was a place where coal was mined and i remember it being a source for brick. At one time the highway that passed by Thurber was made from paving brick...I believe it was made at Thurber. Labor was done by inmates from the Texas prison system....chain gangs...

[@neildewitt2869]

It's so sad that some towns fold up and become ghost towns. Great video, thank!

[@ceciliaboles3422]

The road that goes in front of my house in Cisco is made of Thurber brick.

[@kristymcnett5746]

I am trying to watch every one of your videos. Got a brother in Peshtigo but the rest of us are in Monticello, Monroe & Rockford IL. I love your content. Backroads are the way I like to travel. My bestie & I travel to the UP for sightseeing & shopping. My daughter has a place near Florence. Great to meet ya!

[@duanelogan9633]

Hello Sally and Marty another nice video I noticed you didn't get too close to the church is that because you felt the ground shaking LOL stay healthy stay safe ✌️🌺👍🏆

[@SightseeingSally]

Lol yep that’s exactly it Duane 😂 wishing you the same!

[@hawaii50th]

Even if it seems a bit depressing, cemeteries have a story and history to tell too. Awesome as always Sally and Marty.👍👍👍

[@charlenetobola754]

I also have a brick exhibit

[@ChrisLee66]

Another rabbit hole, the triangle symbol on the bricks.

[@francisebbecke2727]

A very different Texas than today. What is really scary is that their lives were like better here than from where they came from.

[@orionwarren4244]

Looks wonderful. I'm looking to relocate in a [virtual ghost] town where NO MONEY IS TO BE MADE with ZERO EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES so that I can retire with a [affordable] budget that actually makes sense! I'll be watching!👀😬😁

[@shuttlemanjack]

The history of immigration into Texas is fascinating. Visit West , Fredericksburg, Clifton, etc. Tour the historic wooden churches built by European immigrants.

[@paulajones9956]

The restaurant use to be called Thurber Inn, they had the best chicken fried steak in the country side, you should have gone in the restaurant and talked to the old timers

[@jackpalmer724]

Nice video Sally. You must of left Mocha home for this one.

[@SightseeingSally]

She was napping in the truck

[@Cutter-jx3xj]

You didn't even realize that you were standing in a very haunted cemetery. Go there at night, sit in the dark and just listen

[@paulbryan3909]

The demand for coal along with the town died but the rights to the coal still exist. If you follow the money... The porcelain sign was erected in 1960 and states " the coal (mineral deposits) were owned by Texas Pacific. In 1963 Seagram's Co. (yes the distiller) bought Texas Pacific for 276 million. In 1980 Sun Oil Co. bought all properties of the Texas Pacific from Seagram's for 2.3 billion and is the current owner. In 1998 Sun Oil changed its name to the now familiar SUNOCO name.

[@jwwalker688]

Great quote, I'll remember that for years to come. The Dillard thing.

[@richardbrewer9896]

My wife's grandfather was born in Thurber. We visited there a couple of years ago

[@charleycharley2776]

My dad was born in Thurber. 1917.

[@richardbrewer9896]

@Charley Charley my wife's grandfather was born there in 1908.A Couple of the name's on the memorial stone at the cemetery there may be relatives. Family moved to Southern Illinois to the coal mines here

[@charleycharley2776]

I have 3 relatives buried in the cemetery. Only 2 are listed as being buried there. My dad's name was William A. Deaton.

[@richardbrewer9896]

@@charleycharley2776 my wife's family last name is Phillips

[@waynepugh4981]

Been there the restaurant has good food Thurber company homes had electricity and running water at a time when most concered luxury items for the rich

[@hattyburrow716]

How can people be so greedy? Getting rich on the backs of others…

[@Jim-e2k5s]

The"others" got wages to feed and house their families, Americans trade things-wages for time. We don't give away our lives.

[@mistyjeffries2601]

Hands down best chicken fried steak in texas! My opinion! Right by the road, if you go through, stop and eat! Yummy!!!

[@davewait6469]

JUST. WANTED TO TELL HER. SUCH. A. BEAUTIFULL. SWEET. LADY. !!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@pigoff123]

Generations have changed. I raised my daughter on my own without state aid. I took a job until I found a better job an worked my way up. Sometimes I worked 2-3 jobs at a time. I was lucky cause my evening and weekend jobs I was anle to take my daughter with me. Now nobody wants to work.

[@JDART2]

@Sally. You guys need to visit Steelville MO, more importantly the Ole Steelevilille Iron works. I have no connections to the place but I've been to alot of places and you guys would see a timeless history.

[@jameskennerly9748]

Did you go to the open pit coal mine just south of interstate 20. Lot of Thurber Bricks were used on streets in Mingus, Stephenville and Ft worth.

[@Anthony-ot8vl]

You have a BUCCEES pin! You would love New Braunfels. Not just the store but old downtown.

[@billprice6458]

My house in Michigan way older than that whole town. Not even old enough to have a ghost.

[@UncleRobsGarage]

I was 100% certain you were of Polish ancestry as is my wife

[@NasirKhan-yo4go]

Hi beautiful ❤️ girl. Beauty queen you. And beautiful places. Mor Vedio I'm Waiting

[@tom1644x]

"Mingus" sounds like an insult, lol.

[@SightseeingSally]

Lol don’t tell that to the people of Mingus

[@DeeMoback]

Get a brick

[@SightseeingSally]

I don’t know why I didn’t think of that

[@roymichel1856]

Now we know where the coal is when the current President leaves office! LOL thanks for another great sightseeing tour,Sally and Marty!

[@SightseeingSally]

Lol thanks Roy

[@alejandradelpilarpizarroar2542]

Excellent video my dear friend 💁‍♀️ 💋

[@hottlimited]

You need to check out the Helena cemetery, been abandoned for years

[@tracyevans7886]

The way you take your time to explain the details is what I love the most about your videos 😍😍❤️ !!! The secret to success = *Promo sm* !!

[@dorindakay5069]

Thanks!

[@SightseeingSally]

Hi Dorinda, actually, I want to say thank you!! I'm new at this super thanks feature and just figured out you've kindly and generously tipped my 'trip jar' using this feature. Thank you, I really appreciate it!