Terlingua is truly a most interesting ghost town but is somewhat remote. Its name refers to the Spanish tres lenguas or three languages. The assumption is after Spanish then Americans settled in the area, it first being an Indian village, the three languages were Indian, Spanish and American. Unknown to anybody in the area, a Howard E. Perry of Portland, Maine owned much of the land. When cinnabar was discovered, two locals found out who owned the land and wrote to Perry asking if he would sell the property. Perry became curious and through a local source discovered the reason for the inquiry. He immediately hired a manager and started mining operations and development of the town. He owned everything in sight. He literally owned the town and everything in it. Profits were modest at first. World War I created a demand for mercury and the town flourished. The end of the war was the beginning of the end for Terlingua. A caretaker is the lone resident of a fascinating ghost town. SUBMITTED BY : Henry Chenoweth.

Terlingua
Courtesy Akio Ohki

Terlingua
Courtesy Akio Ohki

Terlingua
Courtesy Uwe Fischer-Wickenburg

Terlingua
Courtesy Uwe Fischer-Wickenburg

Terlingua
Courtesy Akio Ohki