Longfellow, Texas, West Texas Ghost Town. (original) (raw)

The old well tower
TE photo, September, 2000

Longfellow no longer exists as a town, however it does as a ranch.

History in a Pecan Shell

No one seems to know why it was named Longfellow. It's primary reason for existing was the same as (relatively) nearby Pumpville, which was to provide water for the steam locomotives of the day.

Prior to the railroad's arrival, the land was grazed by cattle owned by Mexican ranchers. A post office was granted in the 1890s for the people who lived around the railroad station and ranch headquarters. The telegraph office was closed in 1944 and things haven't been the same since.

The cluster of buildings on thenorth side of highway 90 appear to be inhabited on occasion and a visit in August, 2000, revealed a small flock of domestic chickens. A small boat is hung under a pole barn. Maybe it's the Hesperus, or someone is taking the Boy Scout motto seriously. We would advise visitors, as always, to stay on the public side of the fence.

The south side of the highway has the railroad tracks and cattle chutes. One sturdy building holds feed for the ranch and this side is also the site of the old iron framework of the pump tower. Our visit was monitored by a curious deer at 3 p.m.

There's not too much to see and do on the drive between Sanderson and Marathon, so why not get out of your car at Longfellow? If you see anybody at the ranch headquarters, ask them what the boat is for.

Gate to ranch headquarters
TE photo, September, 2000

Feed storage building in Longfellow
TE photo, September, 2000

Terrell County 1920s Map showing Longfellow
in far S corner of Pecos County
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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