Page 36 - October Sun Rays_Oct 2015

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By Jaime Calder

PHOTO BY JAIME CALDER

In 1938, Buchanan Dam and Lake Buchanan became the first of the Highland Lakes to be completed. Offering flood con-
trol and hydropower, the creation of the lake resulted in the destruction of Bluffton, Texas.

Their names convey the hopes and on bad times, or were snatched up by of three local ghost towns have not yet
values of their founders: Ideal, larger interests. Residents depart – disappeared, thanks to the efforts of
Ample, Vox Populi. Others reflect sometimes gradually, sometimes not, three very different parties.
a distinctly Texan mix of humor (Bug and some more willingly than others –
Tussle, Dad’s Corner, Pegleg Crossing) but their white washed houses, shuttered BLUFFTON
and bitter reality (Devil’s River, schoolhouses and cemetery gates remain Settled as a homestead in 1852, Bluffton’s
Mosquito Prairie, The Ditch). They are behind, standing sentinel over the land. proximity to both the Colorado River
places in which people built homes and and a busy stagecoach line afforded the
lives, where they worked, worshiped, Locked in time and place, ghost towns are community ample opportunities. By the
gossiped with neighbors and raised their history with mystery, inspiring curiosity 1880s, the town boasted a hotel, a cotton
children. They are also ghost towns, about those who lived and left. In some gin, a salt refinery, two blacksmiths and
haunted by misplaced futures, trapped of these towns, structures still remain, four saloons. A river ferry transported
in time and space. providing insight into Texas history travelers across the often flooded river,
and heritage. But as our cities continue and granite from Bluffton was used in
Towns fade for reasons as numerous to grow, many of these locations are the construction of the state capitol. Not
and varied as those that brought them being lost. Paved over by subdivisions, even a fire, allegedly started by a few
into being. Perhaps the oil dried up, imbued under reservoirs and absorbed overly indulgent cowboys, could stop
or the land dried out. Railroad tracks by expanding cities, abandoned towns Bluffton – citizens gathered their things
went down just out of reach. Other towns die a second death as their stories are from the ashes and moved the town one
were too isolated to begin with, or fell forgotten forever. However, the memories mile north.

34 | SUNRAYS OCTOBER 2015 ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG