Old Towns Knocking On Death's Door - Abandoned, Rural Texas

We visited these rural Texas towns: Talpa, Eola & Rowena.
Joe's Instagram: / joeysroadtrip
Travel vlog 295

[@warbirdwf]

Anyone over 50 like me has to watch these videos of these old, abandoned downtowns and be nostalgic for those quieter, simpler times in America. You know, back in the 1930's, 40's and 50's. Getting dressed up to go downtown for shopping. The weekly meal in a restaurant while downtown and catching up with the neighbors. I think people back then were much more social and engaged in their community and their neighbors. As a kid in the 1970's, I knew all the neighborhood parents and kids. In most neighborhoods today, you only see your neighbors when the garage door opens when they leave or come home. If you're lucky, they might wave! People just don't seem to care about having relationships with neighbors or being involved in their community. And we wonder why there's an epidemic of loneliness in America today.

[@stephenbarabas6286]

🤣 people born in the 1930's are 90 plus years old and are probably lucky to remember to put their pants on let alone what downtown looked like😂

[@bradleyschmidt7190]

You can blame cell phones and social media. People now prefer to be on their phones all the time as opposed to actually talking and having conversation. I've been at a table where the people at the table are sending texts to each other rather than just talking! It's eerie and annoying. And yes, if we as a country actually started talking to each other rather than just using the Internet to demonize each other and only look at websites and blogs of people we agree with, we wouldn't have the degree of animosity towards each other that we do. It's sad.

[@bitemenow609]

Being 63 and growing up in a town of 300 during the 60s and 70s . These videos make me sad. But I love them.

[@bitemenow609]

Right there with you friend.

[@Go4Corvette]

You are 100% correct. Some of the best days of my life were when my parents would take me back to Texas to see family. It was way more fun than the city life in California where I grew up.

[@mkr4922]

Joe and Nic, don’t stop making these videos because they are great. Safe travels

[@wrath231]

I know..these videos need to be preserved. History is so important.

[@BruceFraserJr]

I agree 100%. These videos are excellent, please keep making them!

[@WilliamTerry-tf1my]

My grandfather Ruel Terry was rural postal carrier in Talpa in the 1920s to early 1960s.. The Brown Ranch was employer back in the day. My grandmother taught piano lessons in Talpa for many years, There were a lot of jack rabbits as I recall. Mesquite trees were every where. My great grand father settled in Fisk TX after Civil War. He ran a cotton gin in Fisk Me and my brother visithd him and he gave us his 1932 Chevrolet which he had bought brand new. Fond memories.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting.

[@dbluehorsedeboe5567]

Do you still have the 32 Chevy? What shape is it in?

[@hoangluong6602]

American dream here.

[@12wingwfetech]

When your town does not have a Dollar General you know the end is near

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Right!

[@karenpacholek1643]

Dollar general should sponsor him.

[@asewaniga137]

@Repent-and-believe-in-Jesus 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@KB-ke3fi]

Biden even ruined the dollar stores.

[@howardlowry6412]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@RetroPhotoPro]

My grandfather’s old shop is the old building across the highway. My grandparents lived in Talpa until they passed. Our family land is close by that goes back to the founding of Texas.

[@alleycat1117]

Thank you for taking us through the stations of the cross😊

[@trafyknits9222]

What a great idea for a KZbin channel. These sojourns are so full of history, nostalgia and poignancy. Great job.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@jamesnasium4035]

Probably you already know Joe, those pictures on the giant cross are the Stations of the Cross. When I was a kid on Good Friday we'd go to church and pray at each one in order. I noticed in that ghost town a lot of buildings were vandalized but the church was pristine, so maybe even that vandals are religious in that part of Texas.

[@pmpmpmpmpmpmpm]

Talpa reminds of of those towns in horror movies where people took the wrong turn and pissed the wrong people off and ending up hunting them 😭

[@SuperReznative]

Don't pee off the wrong people , by snooping and filming into the windows of private property

[@SuperReznative]

No trespassing,..not just interpreted to be left alone , but to respect , property from vandals and snoopers

[@MrWolfSnack]

If you ever seen the movie "Breakdown" with Kurt Russell....just wow. Made me terrified to be alone in a strange small unknown town.

[@Wildvideonyc]

Better yet, "The Last Picture Show" which is a great film about these dying Texas towns which have been slowly dying out since WWII.

[@iGame3D]

Accidentally or Inconveniently Turned Into Texas seems like a pretty good horror franchise

[@krishnaprabhakar526]

Dogs were excited to see some visitors in long long time !

[@esgomez5031]

Back in '65, I worked with a crew building fences, for Ranchers in this area of Texas... On weekends, I would go with my dad to San Angelo, stayed at Tina's Motel/Cafe, in the Mexican -side of town...I Saw the first Mustang ford, drive by, at San Angelo...Such memories!...Truly appreciate all your videos.

[@DenaSablonty]

I went to college in San Angelo when it was still Angelo State University. Nice people!

[@user-de1ts3ju6h]

The Stations of the Cross were in very good condition and wonderful artwork.

[@druidia9]

I've watched several videos of urban blight in cities like Detroit, Philly, and Baltimore. This makes the news on occasion. But very rarely you hear of rural blight. So thanks for documenting this.

[@kennethsmith8844]

I once lived in a knot in the road called Dixie, Oklahoma. It had a one room school house , had 18 students ( 1-8th )when I went there. It is now buried in Keystone Lake.

[@fig1115]

i grew up in industrial dockland ,it was very run down as we transitioned from industry to our economy being dependent on students and call centers . my wife can put the washing out on the line with out fear of it being dirtier after she washed it once it air dried , it was always a concern for my mam . but i miss the sh,ttiness of it all ,the excitement of exploring abandoned buildings of being where i promised i would not go . this makes me long for it .I sometimes drive 15 miles up the road to go to town that is run down and I feel like I'm home. even miss the cold and the hunger , nostalgia can mess with your head .

[@joemeyers3127]

Another very sad but fascinating video. You are chronicling a part of America never examined by the major media. Thank you.

[@violetaledesma2378]

I really find your work amazing. It's unbelievable that you could make what looks "boring and desolate" really entertaining and quite informative. Thank you so much for bringing these places to our attention.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you!

[@safedrivingisforlosers]

Found your channel recently. As a native Houstonian, I see these small towns and think how different my life would be if I were to be born there instead of the big city. I remember going to Dime Box during my childhood whilst vacationing at a family friends farm property. Gives me perspective on what I want for the remainder of my life. This is great stuff.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@glitter_fart]

grew up in the city, thankful for the experiences it gave me, but i wouldnt ever move back.

[@charlieconnelly5514]

I always feel a deep sadness that accompanies your videos,trying to imagine what it was like in yesteryears

[@celiashen5490]

Sometimes I wonder how Edward Hopper would see places like this.

[@curtiseggemeyer5681]

joe and Nic, I grew up 5 miles east of Rowena, farmed cotton , hauled cotton to the gins you saw that were closed. My grandmother knew the Parkers. (Bonnie;s family) Rowena in 1960 was busy even had a case tractor dealership. If you had kept going on the paved road as you approached the CHURCH you would have passed cemetary on the right , about 1 mile out of town going east towards hwy. 83 . I farmed that farm , it belonged to my grandparents and two other farms.which I farmed also. , a lot for a 20 year old man with no help. I left in 1988 and never looked back, lived in Pasco Washington for the past 32 years. I love it here. I think I made the right decision. I lived in Ballinger for 8 years been to the cross etc. Thankyou guys would have loved to have had a beer with you. Curt

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the great comment!

[@wstroh5837]

It is sad to see these towns fade and crumble away. It is hard to believe these towns were one time busy places on Saturdays when everyone come to town to stock up on goods. I guess like everything it served it's place in time.

[@billfowler2867]

This video made me homesick. I grew up in Rowena back in the 60’s and 70’s.

[@KimberlyM48]

I might have to look more into those towns lol…. I love the quietness

[@espuela4655]

the best steak house in Texas (in the 1960s and 70s) was the Lowake Steak House and there was a bar. It sat in an open field SW of Rowena. It had a airplane landing strip across the road as many people flew in to eat. After a tragic accident the place off and on for a while with lawsuits and such. Now the place is in Rowena and still probably has top steaks.

[@jupitereye4322]

This is amazing content. I love working and watching this stuff. Somehow watching deserted places is more interesting than the actual work that feeds me and my family, and that is only due to oversaturation with computer time :(

[@craig8727]

These videos of America are interesting, and I never would have thought they could be. Seeing some old rundown towns and sketchy cities is okay but what makes this channel, which has grown considerably since I started watching it a while ago, is Joe. Your narration is excellent. Your voice is easy to listen to, you have great commentary and you rarely diss a place, for example instead of saying "Look at that dump" you will say "Well, isn't that an interesting house". You have some fun facts and figures as well. Keep up the good work!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you, Craig!

[@stevek4654]

Agree, I enjoy his positivity.

[@DesertMav]

Man, it is sad seeing those small towns diminish and fade away, but I did spot some really cool cars sitting around rotting away looking for a chance at restoration.

[@duckyseventy7vigar487]

The bar looks very much like an old pub you'd find in outback Australia. Texans seem pretty laid back, much like small town Australians. I'd love to visit rural Texas and have a beer or 12 with the locals.

[@craigo7235]

As an Australian that was my first thought at that pub!

[@brenttoman5485]

Great show Joe, score card , 2 cats , 4 dogs 3 towns , 2 breweries, and Christmas decorations on the utility poles ! Finally the first Flux Capacitor in a bar ? See you next time !

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Right!

[@TheHappinessOfThePursuit]

I haven’t been back to my home state in many years, thank you for getting me back out to the country.❤

[@asm826]

11:15 Those are Roman Catholic, the group of them are called the Stations of the Cross. They are on the side walls of every Catholic Church and are used in a prayer form where you walk from one to another and meditate on the events of the Crucifixion.

[@joseramonvalenzuelaegea6745]

Statios of the Cross or Via Crucis

[@bextar6365]

This is shocking, not one Dollar General store in any of these towns.

[@randomrandomness8743]

I can't get enough of these ghost town videos, and Texas seems to be the mecca for them! Here's to the next 100k miles on your vehicle 😂

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Yes, Texas is full of them. Has more than any other state. There's so much contrast in Texas. Huge, fast growing modern cities surrounded by slowly dying to full-on tiny ghost towns.

[@alexandralovesgoats3360]

Great opening and great closing shots! I love looking at the ghost towns and the stuff people accumulate. Rowena is cool. I’d love to hang out in the brewery and restaurant. Clinton did a fantastic job with the decor. I’m glad the older folks have these gems to enjoy! Looking forward to more Texas.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Alexandra!

[@kene6838]

How nice would it be to get a good group of people who longed for simpler times to rebuild one of these small towns .

[@senthilnathanviswanathan4924]

actually, the same thought arose in me. It is definitely worth it.

[@user-yt6er4yd3k]

I agree

[@Jamestown23_]

If you are 25 and have VERY DEEP POCKETS, I'm sure it can be done.

[@user-xj2qg6ik9v]

I was just thinking that...

[@chris1960]

Reckon a group of people could achieve a lot that would attract more people. Not the young but folks over 45 that have had enough of work work work roundabout. I would go if l could (from Australia)

[@Steve7318]

Great Video, I am 50 and enjoy watching these videos and thinking of much more simpler times in America. These are still great places to see even if the population is low. There's something great about small communities with churches and families, businesses and civic organizations all working together to make their town what it is. I have enjoyed watching these videos as an American living overseas and look forward to getting back.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome! :)

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Rowena sounds like a nice place to live. Zero crime, almost zero poverty. Median income over 50 grand. It seems like a place that can start growing.

[@kennethsmith8844]

Thank you for the trip! This will be the story of all our lives in a few years

[@johnnychipello919]

Thanks for sharing!. So glad you went in the buildings to see. That was cool!

[@GaryDeffendall]

Love your channel! We have been watching for about 6 months now. We like that you've added the stops at establishments in the towns you visit. Hope you continue that!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you! Will do!

[@toko9633]

greetings from germany. this video really makes you melancholic. all these pastimes … people fading away … left alone … wanting to BE alone. brilliant👍🙏

[@keithvineyard7837]

Watch where you step under that cross during summer. There are a whole lot of rattlesnakes in that country.

[@catholiccrusader5328]

Joe, you are one brave-ass dude. If I were in your place and I saw a life-sized disheveled blonde-haired doll looking like a dead person all slumped over that couch I would have run back to Dallas in fright!

[@TheHypnogog]

This world is absolutely alien to me; from the flat ground, to the cacti, to the giant cross with the folk art crucifixion story and homemade memorials- wow. It seems so forgotten- bits of it just sitting there since the 70's or before... good episode.

[@vanyakouveli3113]

What a great video about those magical little towns of the old great America! I'm the only female Greek truck driver, solo OTR 10 years now and I've bypassed several abandoned towns of old Route 66 and other roads of AZ, NM, TX, wherever there's a factory or corps facility that i might pick up a load. It saddens me to see empty dusted bakeries, barber's shops, cafes, bars, houses which used to be full of life, previously beautiful, always the "Main street" (it took me a while to realize that every single little tows used to have its "Main Street", a significant landmark still unique but common! Those places you showed us look interesting, I loved that church with the built in pictures of the trial and sacrifice of Jesus Christ (thank you for reading the titles for us), that brewery and the "old style" restaurant with the rusted car doors / entry to kitchen and the rich decoration! I would live there since I'm a loner..maybe after i retire...(7 more years trucking and I'll be ready) lol. Thank you both❤

[@patfrat666]

Glad we got to see two stop-offs.

[@washubrain]

Very well filmed and thank you for the informative stories of the towns in these deep rural areas which not many of us will ever get to see. Keep on doing this great work guys, it will go down to history records some day.

[@larrygorst8749]

Thank you for being so kind, and respectful. Always a pleasure. Thanks for sharing.

[@Trihahalos]

This is genuinely like watching a real life fallout game!

[@goldie7924]

My husband and I love your videos! Thank you for sharing. Btw, I have family that lives and travels through Texas. It's great getting a peak into their life. God bless and stay safe

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@carolkokx9638]

That cross was beautiful

[@kevinhoock9742]

Great to see you interact with the residents and eat a meal in town ! Enjoy all the info and every trip !!!

[@APortraitBoutique]

I love the fun facts you add to some of your videos. I’ve learned a lot about these towns from your research. It’s comforting hearing you speak. Great job and thank you for your work. Safe travels!

[@sailor4116]

Like taking a walk back in time. So interesting. 😊

[@Moochie007]

This is one of your videos that I've enjoyed the most, because of the fascinating places mostly, but especially because of your talking with some of the equally fascinating inhabitants of these places. I'd really like to see more of you guys speaking with folks and showing some of the interiors of interesting buildings/houses you see along the way, if permitted to. As always, thank you for a great video, and Happy New Year to you both. Cheers from Australia!

[@marygambrell8238]

In reference to that last town that you visited, with approximately 200 people and the majority are over 65, the medium income would be higher due to their pensions. The zero percent of child poverty is due to the very low percentage of children that reside there.

[@williamlukasik7244]

Thanks for another great video! Documenting all of your visits is really an important public service. Love it when you interact with local people making the stories even better!

[@jonathanlee5185]

👍Wow, some thriller-suspense to start this upload ! Be careful when roaming those abandon buildings, alone, Joe. 👍

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Always! :)

[@lucyhallis9814]

I've seen more abandoned cars, farm equipment, trucks etc in rural towns than I ever see elsewhere.

[@SHARINGJOURNEY]

What a wonderful find ... love the cross

[@jaybee608]

Old towns knocking on death's door! Joe, that tooo funny!! Nic, make him stop going into those abandoned buildings alone! That scares me!🤪

[@coldlyanalytical1351]

That cross is amazing! In the UK it would have been graffitied within a couple of days, and all the pictures etc stolen or smashed. Soon after, the cross would be dismantled during the night by metal thieves. The police would not even bother investigating any damage or theft. Actually, it would never have been built : local government would have banned it because it would have been "divisive".

[@stephenmorton8017]

scrap metal is everywhere if you notice. no need to tear down a cross. divisive religions come from your side of the pond.

[@msls6592]

😲

[@coldlyanalytical1351]

@@stephenmorton8017 Good point. Why is scrap metal not collected in the US? Over here it's valuable stuff.

[@stephenmorton8017]

@@coldlyanalytical1351 it's everywhere. you got me with that one. it's unsightly and dangerous. one reason there are fewer dtectorists over here is they have to sift through so much junk. they find beer tabs all day and there is nothing truly _old_.

[@coldlyanalytical1351]

@@Jerelios 100s of miles? That's the size of the whole of England! Around 60 million people in the country the size of Ohio. It we drop a piece of scrap metal here it will bounce of someone's toe! An abandoned car will block the whole of our traffic system.

[@Bear_58]

What a great adventure! Thank you Joe and Nicole 🤠👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@planetminecraft411]

Rowena is such a charming town. Thanks for making these videos. I was actually born in Texas, so this is cool to see.

[@cnph7067]

Very much enjoyed this episode, thank you Joe & Nic!

[@jimthornton-fc8kq]

I was surprised to see the large cross in a rural area of Texas. I was doubly surprised that you were the only ones there. Seems like that would be a big tourist draw. Thanks for sharing a part of Texas with me that I haven't seen. Sincerely, Jim Thornton

[@mdanumurthi]

You have a nice 'narrative' voice, tone, and speed. Very natural that is easy to the ears. Thanks!

[@hhawg1]

It's always nice when you include Nic in the videos.

[@markcarey8426]

Another excellent video. Interesting that though these towns are semi-abandoned and going downhill there's very little rubbish in the streets. Towns can be run down but don't have to be dirty.

[@jerrymccurry9372]

They would have to travel 100's of miles to find any rubbish to discard

[@ruthjohnson6369]

The stations of the cross under the big cross were beautiful. Thank you for showing them.

[@subcitizen2012]

I love your videos, and though these locations are some of the more interesting, the locations like these give me give me a panic attack. I lived in Texas 22 years and I had to drive and see a lot of it. On top of seeing the relative despair of these windswept and sun bleached places and their bones exposed, a lot of old painful memories stir. Texas is a broken promise in a lot of ways, and not just for myself.

[@shadowbrown3942]

We love your videos ! So glad you and Nic are out there sharing your adventures ! Your efforts are noteworthy and pleasurable!!! Echo & Shadow

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks so much!

[@robertdesautels8715]

Makes you wonder if these towns could ever come back to life, ever.

[@cherienafo7676]

OZ/ Fantastic Joe & Nic !! loved seeing these ghost towns and imagining what they were like way back then...

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@user-ux9fz8dh6u]

We really love watching your road trips, keep the videos coming.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you! Will do! :)

[@jeffreywhite4962]

thank you again. the the tour of the Cross was the highlight.

[@ucukaoma4551]

Amazing work you are doing by showcasing these parts of America to the world...👏🏽👏🏽

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you so much 😀

[@deanabanks8443]

Joe and Nic what a beautiful cross thanks for sharing your road trip experience.

[@drchillin4743]

Thanks for the videos ive been watching all your videos and wow the beginning of the end is so rappid. Enjoy and be happy.

[@lizowens3180]

Just great, as always!

[@stanmoroncini8825]

Doggo at 16:35 “keep driving buddy!” 😂

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Right!

[@Mary-el3pi]

That’s interesting that the Stations of the Cross would be out in the middle of nowhere and not in a Catholic Church. It looks like a well cared for area, though. Love all your videos!

[@philiporourke7896]

That's funny, you called them signs, there Stations of the Cross. I can tell your not a catholic. Great vid btw, thanx.

[@maryflaherty7096]

Sometimes they are outside. We have some here, like this.

[@jerryglenn7323]

God bless you Joe and Sweet Nicole. Thanks for the wonderful ride.🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@rockb]

12:38 Amen. God bless you, Joe.

[@Steve-ow4jt]

Another great video as always. I absolutely love the nostalgia of the all but forgotten small towns and the unique places you can find in them. I will definitely be watching for the San Antonio video. I spent all four of my high school years there going to John Jay High School between 88 and 92 when I graduated and we moved to Oklahoma. Downtown was my favorite place with the Riverwalk and the brick streets. Wishing you safe travels and until next time stay safe and God bless. Steve in Oklahoma

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks, Steve!

[@catlover614]

A fantastic video ! I love exploring these "ghost towns", always fascinating. The Catholic Church in Rowena is beautiful. The restaurant in the old filling station is awesome ! I love the atmosphere, and it's great when they re-purpose old buildings, and retain the original style. Your food looked delicious, too !! I love the fancy menu, lol ! Thanks so much, Joe and Nic, I really enjoyed this !😊💗

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you again, CL! You are the best. :)

[@Starfire3684]

Such an interesting place,thanks for showing us around.

[@bighhuddinni5640]

Great video. Especially the one of the cross. Thank you.

[@TimeOrDistance]

Joe and Nic amazing you have seen more of America than probably 98 percent if people and many more miles to go!

[@coldlyanalytical1351]

Out-of-place high tech antenna masts such as that near the closed brewery can be interesting. They can be an indication of - err - interesting government structures or facilities.

[@highwheelingdragon7136]

The Building in Talpa with the phone number on the window is sold. Many other people thought to call the gentleman who owns it. He is a really nice guy. Your video has blessed him!

[@cliffordbuembergerguerrero6187]

Joe and Nic thank you , Thank you for sharing

[@stepha75227]

I love your videos! Im actually near Terrell Tx and im looking to live in a smaller community with more land and less traffic. I love the small town of Rowena, seems like a close knit town. Love that diner, very eclectic i would go crazy just looking at everything very nice setup.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It's a great little town, and close enough to the bigger city of Ballinger to get all the things you need, like gas, groceries and healthcare.

[@barabaraboyer8740]

These placks are called Stations of the Cross and are in all catholic churches. They commeorate Christ s walk to the Cross.

[@Madskillsuniversity]

Wow! That was Fantastic!!!! Thank you! Love your talking to Clinton and the mention of Dorothy - the wife and cook. Really like the idea of inserting Nicole to mix things up on your Stat-rides. LOL. 'Tell her to be herself', is what the WIFE says. 😁 Happy and prosperous journeys.

[@user-mr8sc4ns5y]

Enjoy your back road travels and your history lesson as you go...Great Job...

[@Ded_Peter]

Its really fascinating to see the real parts of USA, which have the same problems as the rest of the world. Its really sad to see how our societies is falling apart in small places, and the big cities becomes overpopulated. Similar things happening in Russia, its really interesting to see so much similarities between big countries. Whiteout the climate, historical and geographic differences, the all around story is the same, small towns and regions build around big machineries, which is not competitive in modern economy, is slovly dying. No job, no perspective, so young people are leaving to bigger cities, in search for better life, and becoming dependent on their low salary jobs and credits.

[@loboblue5441]

Excellent video. Just last week I was so close to most of these towns, but didn't know it. I'm so going to these towns. Also, would yall consider driving 90, out of Texas, through Louisiana, and all along the Gulf coast? Ty for your videos. Always good to see yall. Love and prayers, always.

[@Paysoncougarfan.7885]

Thank you for another great video.

[@georgeallen7887]

Loved your enthusiasm for Rowena. Terrific video!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you. It's a great little town.