Toyah
Abandoned Ghost Town in Pecos, Texas, United States
Jan 20 2022
| Recent status | Abandoned |
| Location # | 18264 |
Hazards of Toyah
Most of the abandoned buildings in Toyah have received quite extreme forces of nature over the years that have weakened them if not caused them to collapse. These buildings may look strong but can easily crumble to a slight change in wind speed or heavy rains.
History of Toyah
Toyah began as a trading post for the area ranches and in 1881, the first train arrived in the town which brought with it a post office. Population in the town increased with the introduction of stagecoach services from Toyah to Fort Stockton and Fort Dawis. At the beginning of the 1900s, Toyah had a population of over 700 people with a school of 55 students, hotels, and banks making the town a major cattle shipping point on the railroad. Although the town received incorporation in 1933 and was still doing well, the population kept on fluctuating and by 2000 it was at 100.
Toyah ghost town located in Western Texas is a reminder of how fast everything can change within a very short period. Toyah was once a thriving town with town amenities like banks, schools, business districts just to mention a few. All these were abandoned and left to decay for years now.
Death of Toyah town
In 2004, a tornado hit Toyah which was already struggling with a fluctuating population. The tornado destroyed homes and almost everything it came across. All the less than 100 diehard residents were displaced forcing them to seek settlements elsewhere. Toyah has been deserted ever since with no hope of ever being revived.
Crime at Toyah
Toyah was the best example of an old wild west town. From racial killings to murder over silly feuds was something common in the area. In 1885, Reeves County sheriff who was in the town to hunt fugitives was killed in a confrontation with his fellow lawmen of Toyah. Two people lost their lives, a ranger based in Toyah and the visiting sheriff. Another killing followed shortly afterward when a former lawman ended up killing the other over a feud. As if that is not enough, a black man aliased “Slab” was dragged out of his home and hanged only a few days in town for marrying a white lady. Black men were not allowed to reside in Toyah let alone marry their own.
What is the current situation in Toyah?
Today, Toyah is a 21st-century ghost town with numerous abandoned buildings standing in despair. Most of its buildings that were submerged in water when it was hit by a tornado crumbled. Toyah high school still stands strong though in a deteriorated state. Toyah is open to the public to visit anytime.
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