Zella - Texas Ghost Town

ZELLA

NAME: Zella
COUNTY: McMullen
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 5
CLIMATE: Warm winter, hot summer
BEST TIME TO VISIT:Winter, spring, fall

COMMENTS: Private Property.
REMAINS: The hotel.

Another land promotion that failed is the story of Zella. The promotional scheme was to sell thousands of acres of range land to farmers. Although some land was sold, the promoters lacked sufficient capital to construct the large irrigation system to bring water to the agricultural fields. This after having laid out the townsite covering several hundred acres consisting of 189 city blocks, after having built an imposing two-story hotel, a schoolhouse and a general store and post office signaled the death of Zella almost before it was born. It began in 1912 and ended with the drought in 1917. The current owners of the property now use the hotel as quarters for hunters during the deer season. Zella is at the west side of Texas Highway 97 about 8 miles north of Fowlerton in McMullen County. SUBMITTED BY: Henry Chenoweth

Another land promotion that failed is the story of Zella. The promotional scheme was to sell thousands of acres of range land to farmers. Although some land was sold, the promoters lacked sufficient capital to construct the large irrigation system to bring water to the agricultural fields. This after having laid out the townsite covering several hundred acres consisting of 189 city blocks, after having built an imposing two-story hotel, a schoolhouse and a general store and post office signaled the death of Zella almost before it was born. It began in 1912 and ended with the drought in 1917. The current owners of the property now use the hotel as quarters for hunters during the deer season. Zella is at the west side of Texas Highway 97 about 8 miles north of Fowlerton in McMullen County. SUBMITTED BY: Henry Chenoweth

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