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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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"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." -
From "Eighteen
Ghost Towns of Runnels County" by Alton O'Neil Jr. |
Runnels
City is already off the map by 1907
Postal map courtesy of Texas General Land
Office | |
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