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Texas Ghost
Town
MACKAY,
TEXASWharton County,
Texas Gulf Coast
A Wharton County Ghost Town
Highway 59
4 miles W of Wharton
Population: 0
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A
flood in Mackay, circa 1930s
Photo courtesy Ruben R. Hernandez |
History
in a Pecan Shell
John W. Mackay, Nevada silver mining millionaire invested in the New
York, Texas and Mexican Railway (The "Macaroni" Line) and had this
station named after him in 1881. Telferner, Louise,
and Inez were
likewise named after family and investors - mostly family. The rails
of the NYT and M railroad were taken up in the 1980s, although the
former roadbed is still evident. Victoria,
Texas has recently launched a "Macaroni Festival" to commemorate
this short line railroad that didn't originate in New York and never
came remotely close to Mexico. |
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Mackay Depot
Marie Borden with daughters of Mackay Ranch families 1920s
Photo courtesy Ruben R. Hernandez |
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The town of Mackay fell within boundaries of "Shanghai"
Pierce's vast holdings and the land became part of A. P. Borden's
property through inheritance since Borden was Pierce's nephew. |
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A. P. Borden Estate stationery
Photo courtesy Ruben R. Hernandez |
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A 1930s cotton field in Mackay
Photo courtesy Ruben R. Hernandez |
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Russian and
Chinese laborers were imported to work a Department of Agriculture
experimental farm in 1907. The government agronomists had thought
camphor trees would thrive in the coastal climate. Today two cemeteries
of the workers are the only reminders of the experiment.
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Borden built
stores in both Pierce
and Mackay. Houses were built for employees as well and many of
these - although greatly altered from the original models - still
stand today - covered in poison ivy. A school (1912) is the most
distinctive ruin due to its orange tile roof.
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A.P.
and Marie Borden
Photo courtesy Ruben R. Hernandez |
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Mrs. Borden
taught Sunday school in Pierce in a church that she had her husband
build. Borden retired from the Pierce Ranch and started farming
on his 5,000 acres.
Mrs. Marie Hough
Borden - Vintage photos >
After Borden died in 1934 the ranch and buildings were sold to oil
wildcatter Johnny B. Ferguson. Mackay reported a population of 40
in 1940. Ferguson struck oil in 1949 and his Superior Drilling Company
offices were housed in Mackay's former store.
After Ferguson died in 1978 the area reverted back to nature and
by 1990 the houses, store and former school were abandoned to wild
vines, tall grass and tallow trees.
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Class
of 1927 >
Click on photo for larger image and names
Photo courtesy Ruben R. Hernandez |
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Mackay
Manor House, 1930s
Photo courtesy Ruben R. Hernandez |
Mackay Texas
Forum
Mackay
Photos
and Mrs. Marie
Hough Borden
My extended family and I want to thank you for posting the Mackay
pictures. Our ancestors live on through these photos and stories.
Attached are a few more photos you may post if you find them of
interest. - Respectfully. Ruben R. Hernandez, October 04, 2005
Mackay
Pictures
More pictures of life in Mackay, 1920s and 1030s. They involve family
members, but they demonstrate the lifestyle in Mackay between 1920
and 1940 when we left to make our home in Houston. I feel good that
they are being seen in public, as they should be, as part of a historical
montage. - Ruben R. Hernandez, July 05, 2005
Mackay
Class of 1927
- Ruben R. Hernandez, June 21, 2005
Mackay Pictures
Thank you so very much for your work. When I open up this site and
there was our family home for some 34 years, from 1916 to 1940.
I have shared your site address with my Hernandez cousins in our
Hernandez Family website so that they too might enjoy the photos
and comments about the place where their ancestors lived and worked
and where some of them were born. Here are more Mackay pictures
you may use. Please continue your "work in progress". - Ruben
R. Hernandez, June 20, 2005
Mackay,
Texas
My mother was born in 1928 and her family was part of the Mexicans
who work there. Her father Jesus Vasquez and Mother Solida Melendez
were farm workers. Thanks. - Jane, June 16, 2005
Old Photos
of Mackay
My 6 siblings and I were all born in Mackay, TX between 1917 and
1934. My dad and mom, Candelario and Manuela Hernandez had a special
relationship with A.P. and Marie Borden and often had them in our
home for a Mexican dinner or morning coffee and "pan dulce".
I have several pictures of the Bordens and of scenes around Mackay.
I am also prepared to add some historical data and stories about
life in Mackay in the 1930s and 1940s. For example
(1), in addition to the Russian and Chinese immigrant workers, there
were a large number of Mexican families working the Borden Ranch.
(2). All my siblings and several uncles and cousins attended the
elementary school on the ranch.
(3) There was/is a cemetery solely for the Mexican families.
It is located about half mile to the east of the main road leading
from US 59 to what was the Borden Manor House. Our home was on this
road on the banks of the Bosque Creek (Slough). - Ruben R. Hernandez,
June 10, 2005
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