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RUIDOSA,
TEXAS
AKA Rio Doso,
RiodosaTexas
Ghost Town
Presidio
County, West Texas
On the Rio Grande and CR 170
Also accessible via CR 2810 with 4 wheel drive
53 miles SW of Marfa
36 miles
NW of Presidio
Population:
43 (since 1990) |
 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
According to the Handbook of Texas,
the name translates as either "windy" or "noisy." This either refers to the omnipresent
wind or the sound of water falling over an irrigation dam.
The settlement
was once a penal colony established by the Spanish in the 1820s. Prisoners were
sent to the remote area to guard ranches in northern Chihuahua against Indian
raids. The uninspired prisoners were so often on the losing side that the project
was abandoned.
Much later, in 1872, an American named William Russell
constructed ditches to irrigate a farm and a flour mill - a successful operation
that prospered for thirty years.
As late as 1879 the farm was attacked
by Mescalero Apaches resulting in four settlers killed and three wounded.
By 1914 the community had a post office and 100 citizens. Cotton was planted
and a gin constructed. In the late 20s there were about 300 residents in the area.
The gin closed in 1936 and by 1954 the post office discontinued mail delivery.
In late 2004 the town consisted of a few buildings and was listed for sale.
Ruidosa
Texas Forum
>
CR
2810 - Images: |
| Abandoned
Truck Chassis in need of restoration
Photo courtesy Erik
Whetstone, April 2005 |
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Texas ForumSubject:
Family from Ruidosa, Texas
My father, Isaac Prieto Hernandez was born
in this small village 6-3-1921. His two sister's were married in the old historical
church, Carmen and Benita Hernandez. My father attended the school also pictured
in the photos. The family moved to Marfa years later, then migrated to southern
New Mexico. - Ben Hernandez, Artesia, NM, December 31, 2011
Subject:
Ruidosa, Tx church picture
The picture of the church ruins is of a church
in Ruidosa, Tx as you are leave heading toward Candelaria,
Tx - Florencio Garcia, March 26, 2008
Subject:
Family from Ruidosa
Dear TE, My grandmother "Reyes Negrete" was born in
Ruidosa on April 12,1898, her parents were Sebastian DeAnda & Reyes Ochoa (maiden).
They later moved to Van Horn, but I'm not sure of the year. Thanks for the pictures
and information on the town. - Ben Negrete, September 21, 2007
Subject:
Long line of Nunez in Ruidosa, Texas
Dear TE, My mother was born and grew
up in Ruidosa, Texas. Her name was Dora Nunez and her parents were: Jesus F. Nunez
and Maria L. Nunez. There was a long line of Nunez's back in Ruidosa who had businesses.
My grandfather was the postmaster of the Ruidosa post office. My mother has wonderful
memories of her town, Ruidosa. - J. Garcia, Alpine, Texas, January 29, 2007
Heartfelt
Memories of Ruidosa
I was born in Ruidosa in 1940 and my grandparents
were the only owners of the grocery store. They had a lot of land, and I just
discovered not too long ago the Fuentes cemetery. When I saw the pictures it brought
a heartbeat to my heart and I hope to go there one more time before I leave this
world .. I was just 9 years old the last time I was there. We used to cross the
river to get to the other side to visit the folks. Keep up the good work. - Catarina
Fuentes, January 24, 2007
Subject:
Photo of the Old Church
Last year about this time I visited Ruidosa, Texas
and noted with interest the Old Church in ruins there.
Thanks for making
these stories of these interesting places available. I'm fascinated by that country
down there. - Jim Horn, April 02, 2006
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic,
endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local
history, stories, and vintage/historic photos of their town, please contact
us. |
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