Ghost Towns of Texas [Paperback]

T. Lindsay Baker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1991

"The indefatigable T. Lindsay Baker has now turned his enormous mental and physical energies to the subject and has brought to view - if not to life -eighty-six Texas ghost towns for the reader's pleasure. Baker lists three criteria for inclusion: tangible remains, public access, and statewide coverage. In each case Baker comments about the town's founding, its former significance, and the reasons for its decline. There are maps and instructions for reaching each site and numerous photographs showing the past and present status of each. The contemporary photos were taken, in most instances, by Baker himself, who proves as adept a photographer as he is researcher and writer....Baker has done his work thoroughly and well, within limits imposed by necessity. He obviously had fun in the process and it shows in his prose."---New Mexico Historical Review

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

T. Lindsay Baker, who holds the W. K. Gordon Chair in Industrial History at Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas, is Director of the W. K. Gordon Center for Industrial History, Thurber, Texas, and editor of the Windmiller's Gazette. He is the author of A Field Guide to American Windmills and North American Windmill Manufacturers' Trade Literature: A Descriptive Guide.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press (March 15, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806121890
• ISBN-13: 978-0806121895
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #757,722 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!!, September 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ghost Towns of Texas (Paperback)

This is the kind of book you want to take in your car always! You never know in Texas when your going to be near a ghost town! The book has a map and is indexed, with good information on the towns , how to get there and what you will find. A must by for anyone interested in TX history

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hunting Down Texas' Ghosts, November 11, 2000

By 

SeashellPoint "Nancy" (Fort Myers, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ghost Towns of Texas (Paperback)

Although, by their very nature, the Texas ghost towns featured in Baker's book have deteriorated even more - or disappeared altogether - since the publication of this book in 1986, it remains a classic reference on this material and is a "must have" for the ghost town hunter's library.

The historical research is very in-depth and resurrects these "towns that time forgot" in the reader's mind. The book is lavishly illustrated with black and white photos taken by the author, as well as archival material. Highly recommended!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lone Star Ghosts, May 6, 2005

By 

Bomojaz (South Central PA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ghost Towns of Texas (Paperback)

This is a great book on ghost towns (and near ghost towns) of Texas, and a model on how to present a guide to local history for travelers in a given state or area. This book describes 88 sites throughout Texas; each site has its own detailed map as well as precise directions on how to find the location. Also each townsite has at least one accompanying photograph, most more than one. Baker's text is lively and interesting and relates information about each town that is useful and informative. If you are interested in local history, especially of places that have seen better days, this book will give you much pleasure.