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History
on a Pinhead
Once the county seat of Runnels
County (1880), it had a population of 250 two years later. But
it was bypassed by the railroad in favor of Ballinger
in 1886. In a gracious offer (which was immediately accepted) the
railroad offered Runnels City residents lots in Ballinger.
In 1887 Ballinger
became the county seat. Today only the Centennial marker reminds travelers
of this short-lived ghost town.
Photographer's Note:
Runnels (City) is located about 4-1/2 miles north of Ballinger
on FM 2887. There is nothing visible left of the city. - Barclay
Gibson |
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History
From "Eighteen
Ghost Towns of Runnels County" by Alton O'Neil Jr.:
"Runnels City, or Old Runnels, is a ghost town five miles north
of Ballinger in
Runnels County.
It was designated the county seat when the county was organized in
1880.
Its population was 250 in 1882, but the Santa Fe Railroad bypassed
the town in 1886. When the railroad offered residents building sites
and a general relocation of buildings in Ballinger,
people in Runnels City accepted, and in 1887 Ballinger
became the county seat.
By 1947 a rock hut and a ruined two-story rock building were the only
remnants of Runnels City." |
Postcard cancelled
with Runnels, Texas 1887 Postmark
Courtesy
Danny Whatley |
Cover cancelled
with Runnels, Texas Postmark
Courtesy
Danny Whatley |
Runnels City
is already off the Runnels
County map by 1907
Postal map courtesy of Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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