Williiam's Ranch- Texas Ghost Town

WILLIAM'S RANCH

NAME: William's Ranch
COUNTY: Mills
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 3
CLIMATE: Warm winter, hot summer
BEST TIME TO VISIT:Winter, spring, fall

COMMENTS: Near Goldthwaite.
REMAINS: The cemetery.

It was around 1855 when a John Williams from Missouri was passing through the area and decided to camp for the night beside a spring on Mullin Creek. Williams was so impressed with what the location had to offer he decided to stay and established a ranch on the springs. During the next ten years, a community had grown up around Williams ranch consisting of a number of homes, a hotel, a general store, a school and a number of other businesses including a stage stop. By the 1880s, the community had about 250 residents. Its demise began when it was bypassed by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1885 but more for the reason of the feud that existed between the town's original settlers and its newcomers. Whatever the reason for the feud, it lead to fence cutting, maybe cattle rustling and other forms of violence that cost the lives of several people. After it was all over, the town never regained the stature it once enjoyed. Today, there is ample evidence of what was once a thriving ranching community including a well-maintained cemetery and interesting grave markers over a century old. SUBMITTED BY: Henry Chenoweth

It was around 1855 when a John Williams from Missouri was passing through the area and decided to camp for the night beside a spring on Mullin Creek. Williams was so impressed with what the location had to offer he decided to stay and established a ranch on the springs. During the next ten years, a community had grown up around Williams ranch consisting of a number of homes, a hotel, a general store, a school and a number of other businesses including a stage stop. By the 1880s, the community had about 250 residents. Its demise began when it was bypassed by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1885 but more for the reason of the feud that existed between the town's original settlers and its newcomers. Whatever the reason for the feud, it lead to fence cutting, maybe cattle rustling and other forms of violence that cost the lives of several people. After it was all over, the town never regained the stature it once enjoyed. Today, there is ample evidence of what was once a thriving ranching community including a well-maintained cemetery and interesting grave markers over a century old. SUBMITTED BY: Henry Chenoweth

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