What is a ghost town? Is it merely an abandoned settlement, a relic of the past, or is it something more enduring? With her road-trip companion, a dog named Woody Guthrie, Lauren Hough drives across Texas to find out. In this Texas Highways essay—which is full of dust, wanderlust, and wonder—Hough encounters the ruins of forgotten places, but also two dreamers determined to bring one such town back to life.
The Schaffers show me where they plan to build, the gardens they’ve started, the roof they’re trying to save over the tourist court. They want to rebuild the old hotel as a museum. To raise funds, they host ghost tours, hayrides, and even a 10K race. They offer stargazing nights and welcome RVers to camp. They may have planned a homestead, but what they’ve found is a mission—to save Jericho.
More picks from Texas Highways
A Strange Continent
“An English expat returns home and unfolds his Brompton bike.”
Return to the River
“Nearly a year after the devastating July 4 floods, Hill Country communities are still grieving and rebuilding, while hoping to welcome visitors back to the Guadalupe.”
Are We There Yet?
“A family trips and stumbles across 3,000 miles of Texas.”
Friends in Low Places
“At the buda wiener dog races, big personalities come in small packages.”
Gone in Seven Seconds
“Racing pigeons hightail it home in competitions across the state.”
The Gospel of Change
“Traveling in an RV empowers a seeker to make peace with an ever-evolving world.”
