Shafter - Texas Ghost Town

SHAFTER

NAME: Shafter
COUNTY: Presidio
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 2
CLIMATE: Warm winter, hot summer
BEST TIME TO VISIT:Winter, spring, fall

COMMENTS: North of Presidio,TX on hwy US 67
REMAINS: Unknown.

The term "Ghost Town" implies the only residents are "Ghosts." Not so in Shafter. There are a few families, probably less than ten that still call Shafter home. Th town had its beginning about 1854 when a rancher named John Spencer, a part-time prospector, found ore rich in silver. The main difficulty at this time were the Apache Indians who were raiding the settlers, killing their occupants and burning their homes. Spencer knew he could not set up mining operations under these circumstances. He had told no one of his secret. He then shared his discovery with a Major Shafter who at the time was commanding officer of a cavalry troop. Major Shafter traveled to San Francisco where he raised enough money to start the Presidio Mining Company and operations began. At its best time, there were about 4000 residents in Shafter. In 1931, the price of silver dropped so low all mining operations came to a halt. Much remains to be seen by the visitor as Shafter once appeared during its glory days. SUBMITTED BY: Henry Chenowith	Shafter Courtesy Akio Ohki Shafter Courtesy Julia Byron Shafter Courtesy Julia Byron Shafter Courtesy Julia Byron Shafter Courtesy S. Martin Shelton

The term "Ghost Town" implies the only residents are "Ghosts." Not so in Shafter. There are a few families, probably less than ten that still call Shafter home. Th town had its beginning about 1854 when a rancher named John Spencer, a part-time prospector, found ore rich in silver. The main difficulty at this time were the Apache Indians who were raiding the settlers, killing their occupants and burning their homes. Spencer knew he could not set up mining operations under these circumstances. He had told no one of his secret. He then shared his discovery with a Major Shafter who at the time was commanding officer of a cavalry troop. Major Shafter traveled to San Francisco where he raised enough money to start the Presidio Mining Company and operations began. At its best time, there were about 4000 residents in Shafter. In 1931, the price of silver dropped so low all mining operations came to a halt. Much remains to be seen by the visitor as Shafter once appeared during its glory days. SUBMITTED BY: Henry Chenowith

Shafter
Courtesy Akio Ohki

Shafter
Courtesy Julia Byron

Shafter
Courtesy Julia Byron

Shafter
Courtesy Julia Byron

Shafter
Courtesy S. Martin Shelton

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