Loco, Texas, Childress County ghost town. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Named for the abundant locoweed that grew in the area, settlement began in the 1880s. A post office opened in late 1892 which was six miles south of the intersection mentioned above. The post office closed in 1908 and the mail was diverted through neighboring Arlie.

In 1901 a school district was organized but was moved nine years later. In the mid 1920s the town had an economic base centered around three stores, a cotton gin and a blacksmith shop. In 1930 the Arlie post office moved to Loco and was renamed. It ended its 42 year history as Arlie, Texas and continued for thirty-four more years before closing in the mid 1960s.

After WWII the citizens of Loco took advantage of the improved roads and better jobs and left Loco. Today only the cemeteries of the two communities remain.

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