RURAL DYING TEXAS TOWNS - Between Amarillo and Dallas
video description
Another thought. what is it that attracts citizens to an area Bars, restaurants, cultural events And where does the citizen park to attend those avenues What I see in the majority of cities is lack of parking. Or if there is parking; its a few blocks away from the event. AND if the citizen does come downtown and then parks far away from the event; will that citizen have to walk past the homeless or through a sketchy part of town
Look at any prosperous event area in a locality. It always has great parking within easy walking distance. And it is safe. These areas are usually on the outskirts of a city, that is dying.
Also, a big factor is the mindset of the governing bodies of these cities. Here in Texas I have run into; well, thats the way it has been; so therefore it will be that way forever. Not a great attitude when you are trying to revitalize or breath new life into an area. Sometimes the old guard is too blind to progress and then they complain when progress steamrolls them into oblivion
Date: 2024-01-28
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Comments and reviews: 34
robertvalouche4367
I grew up in Texline, Texas 126 miles north west of Amarillo. Graduated in 71. Texline was full of successful businesses that we established after the Dirty Thirties. This was farming and ranching country. Smaller farms and ranches started selling out to bigger outfits. Out of town outfits. This started happening in early 70’s and late 60’s. More and more folded. Successful farmers and ranchers were aging and younger members of the family didn’t want to stay. As those families moved, there was no one to support the businesses Aging business owners sold their businesses to people who had no idea how to make a business successful and the time involved. Businesses that had been there for 20 years plus, supporting each other and their neighbors are boarded up. Everything collapsed except for business that were passed in the family. It was very sad. The town still survives because of the family business and the school. Will it ever turn around
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I grew up in Texline, Texas 126 miles north west of Amarillo. Graduated in 71. Texline was full of successful businesses that we established after the Dirty Thirties. This was farming and ranching country. Smaller farms and ranches started selling out to bigger outfits. Out of town outfits. This started happening in early 70’s and late 60’s. More and more folded. Successful farmers and ranchers were aging and younger members of the family didn’t want to stay. As those families moved, there was no one to support the businesses Aging business owners sold their businesses to people who had no idea how to make a business successful and the time involved. Businesses that had been there for 20 years plus, supporting each other and their neighbors are boarded up. Everything collapsed except for business that were passed in the family. It was very sad. The town still survives because of the family business and the school. Will it ever turn around
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usa-by-car
I suppose I have traveled this route scores of times in the last 50 years. It is not just Northwest Texas that is dying though, it is the entire country. Look at Camden, New Jersey, or Philadelphia, or look at the vast expanse of the Rust Belt. Look at the hundreds of thousands of homeless populating the streets, with more joining them every day to replace the many lost to a staggering mortality rate. The transfer of all wealth and anything of value to the richest one-tenth of one percent of the population is almost complete. The latest trillion-dollar round of useless strategic bombers and sophisticated nuclear weapons has just been announced with fanfare befitting the Second Coming. I am glad to be an octogenarian, as I have seen enough. It is a short race to my end, or to the end of the United States.
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I suppose I have traveled this route scores of times in the last 50 years. It is not just Northwest Texas that is dying though, it is the entire country. Look at Camden, New Jersey, or Philadelphia, or look at the vast expanse of the Rust Belt. Look at the hundreds of thousands of homeless populating the streets, with more joining them every day to replace the many lost to a staggering mortality rate. The transfer of all wealth and anything of value to the richest one-tenth of one percent of the population is almost complete. The latest trillion-dollar round of useless strategic bombers and sophisticated nuclear weapons has just been announced with fanfare befitting the Second Coming. I am glad to be an octogenarian, as I have seen enough. It is a short race to my end, or to the end of the United States.
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clintwalker8841
raymesquite local motors could go much further than 30 miles with their water the reason the towns are 30 miles apart is because the towns the red 15 miles disappeared a covered wagon could travel 15 miles in a good day once everyone started getting cars and those towns weathered up and dried and went away so those little bitty places that you passed through the had only five or six houses those used to be towns now they’re not towns you’re just passing through them that’s why the others are only 30 miles apart read a little better about your Texas history and history of the locomotive before hu start putting out information that’s not true
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raymesquite local motors could go much further than 30 miles with their water the reason the towns are 30 miles apart is because the towns the red 15 miles disappeared a covered wagon could travel 15 miles in a good day once everyone started getting cars and those towns weathered up and dried and went away so those little bitty places that you passed through the had only five or six houses those used to be towns now they’re not towns you’re just passing through them that’s why the others are only 30 miles apart read a little better about your Texas history and history of the locomotive before hu start putting out information that’s not true
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gt4Shifters
This was an interesting video. I’m actually from Quanah, from birth to high school graduation. It’s interesting seeing my hometown from someone else’s view. Our old downtown buildings are actually being bought up and renovated into new businesses spaces, Airbnbs for hunters/travelers, and a couple restaurants/bars. As far as a dying town I guess it’s soon to be a dying town since the Georgia-Pacific plant is closing down next year. Most money in town comes from the oilfield and ranchers/farmers. Since it’s right on 287 it also gets plenty of traffic as well. Cool video!
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This was an interesting video. I’m actually from Quanah, from birth to high school graduation. It’s interesting seeing my hometown from someone else’s view. Our old downtown buildings are actually being bought up and renovated into new businesses spaces, Airbnbs for hunters/travelers, and a couple restaurants/bars. As far as a dying town I guess it’s soon to be a dying town since the Georgia-Pacific plant is closing down next year. Most money in town comes from the oilfield and ranchers/farmers. Since it’s right on 287 it also gets plenty of traffic as well. Cool video!
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davidwatson7919
This is very close to my home San Angelo. What did you think would happen when Amazon destroyed small businesses everywhere And a Walmart in every town And all you have out there is Farms anyway. Not pointing to some dark conspiracy. This is just the nature of things. Now we have Wi-Fi and every home and Amazon. The need for small shops and every city square is gone. Almost every single town in West Texas has the same story. It was booming Once Upon a Time but now it's not. And with manufacturing almost extinct along with the small shops there will be no boom again.
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This is very close to my home San Angelo. What did you think would happen when Amazon destroyed small businesses everywhere And a Walmart in every town And all you have out there is Farms anyway. Not pointing to some dark conspiracy. This is just the nature of things. Now we have Wi-Fi and every home and Amazon. The need for small shops and every city square is gone. Almost every single town in West Texas has the same story. It was booming Once Upon a Time but now it's not. And with manufacturing almost extinct along with the small shops there will be no boom again.
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brucederr4374
Grew up in Irving just outside of Dallas in the 50s 60s and 70s. My parents grew up in Vernon and Chillicothe so I am very familiar with that road, not much has changed except the wind turbines. We also would take a trip to Colorado every summer and went thru Amarillo. Having gotten out and seen the world it is sad to see those towns dying, they pretty much lasted about 100 years and have been dying a slow death for a long time. The really sad part is the folks in west Texas are about the best folks in the world.
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Grew up in Irving just outside of Dallas in the 50s 60s and 70s. My parents grew up in Vernon and Chillicothe so I am very familiar with that road, not much has changed except the wind turbines. We also would take a trip to Colorado every summer and went thru Amarillo. Having gotten out and seen the world it is sad to see those towns dying, they pretty much lasted about 100 years and have been dying a slow death for a long time. The really sad part is the folks in west Texas are about the best folks in the world.
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johnsmith-mi2uc
i remember passing through Eden going to and from Colorado. place was just so damn small. looked up recent estimated population. seems its dropped by over 50% between 2010 and 2019, just under 1300 people left. it was certainly the kind of place people knows each other out there.
had to go deal with a speeding ticket in Hondo some few years ago. it is another small location and had a major even going on, that being a funeral for an old lady. knew about it because there was posters of it all around
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i remember passing through Eden going to and from Colorado. place was just so damn small. looked up recent estimated population. seems its dropped by over 50% between 2010 and 2019, just under 1300 people left. it was certainly the kind of place people knows each other out there.
had to go deal with a speeding ticket in Hondo some few years ago. it is another small location and had a major even going on, that being a funeral for an old lady. knew about it because there was posters of it all around
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catherineleigh9000
I’m watching this video and missing your stats so I’m looking them up. I want to comment about Dallas. My family was there. I’ve been there many many times but after 20 years we went through on the way back to Vegas and it is now a monster city. You can’t even function without a gps. And the decline in the infrastructure and looks of the city-so unkempt in comparison unlike the Texas roads that used to be so perfect. Thanks again but I like your narration better
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I’m watching this video and missing your stats so I’m looking them up. I want to comment about Dallas. My family was there. I’ve been there many many times but after 20 years we went through on the way back to Vegas and it is now a monster city. You can’t even function without a gps. And the decline in the infrastructure and looks of the city-so unkempt in comparison unlike the Texas roads that used to be so perfect. Thanks again but I like your narration better
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StrikeTheSkyline
I'm from Memphis, and these towns are even more dead than they look. Everyone is suffering financially, half of even the businesses that look open are closed permanently, nobody can get jobs, it's bad.
These towns are dying because they refuse to update though. Memphis was offered a Walmart at least three times in my life, but the city won't sell them any land to build it. People in this town actively shun most new business, dooming them to fail
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I'm from Memphis, and these towns are even more dead than they look. Everyone is suffering financially, half of even the businesses that look open are closed permanently, nobody can get jobs, it's bad.
These towns are dying because they refuse to update though. Memphis was offered a Walmart at least three times in my life, but the city won't sell them any land to build it. People in this town actively shun most new business, dooming them to fail
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huskerhank6231
Fun fact: If you had gone straight ahead in Claude you would have seen the bar where Hud/Paul Newman wrecked. Claude hasn't improved since the dreary 1963 movie.
Worse fact: Everybody is friendly but to be accepted you best fit in with their political, social and religious views. The region has gone 70-80% Trump.
I grew up in a place like Childress during the 1950s. A Good place to grow up a great place to leave.
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Fun fact: If you had gone straight ahead in Claude you would have seen the bar where Hud/Paul Newman wrecked. Claude hasn't improved since the dreary 1963 movie.
Worse fact: Everybody is friendly but to be accepted you best fit in with their political, social and religious views. The region has gone 70-80% Trump.
I grew up in a place like Childress during the 1950s. A Good place to grow up a great place to leave.
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lucyl. a. 4288
Isn't small towns suppose to be like this I have lived in L. A. all my life and from my point of view these towns are wonderful and peaceful. Now in these days in which cities are becoming so crazy and unsafe these towns are wonderful. I don't like the negative things you are saying about them. Each place has its own beauty and if there are people living in these towns, it got to be because they are happy there.
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Isn't small towns suppose to be like this I have lived in L. A. all my life and from my point of view these towns are wonderful and peaceful. Now in these days in which cities are becoming so crazy and unsafe these towns are wonderful. I don't like the negative things you are saying about them. Each place has its own beauty and if there are people living in these towns, it got to be because they are happy there.
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bertsimmons1756
Interesting video. I wish that you could have included the population of each town. Since the video shows cars and people these town are not dead yet. I think these old town are great with the brick building. I wish the cities would start to re-purposed the building downtown (main street) into apartments. They could get retirees to move there and they would be spending money at diners and grocery stores.
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Interesting video. I wish that you could have included the population of each town. Since the video shows cars and people these town are not dead yet. I think these old town are great with the brick building. I wish the cities would start to re-purposed the building downtown (main street) into apartments. They could get retirees to move there and they would be spending money at diners and grocery stores.
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ceasar12c
I am in Arizona now, lived the last 50 years between Dumas and Amarillo. I think when I retire, I am going to find one of those small towns in the Panhandle to live in. Low crime, low rent, clean air, low price on groceries, and there are Amazon boxes nearby to receive pkgs. Another thing, our population is dropping dramatically because of all the young people no longer wanting to have kids
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I am in Arizona now, lived the last 50 years between Dumas and Amarillo. I think when I retire, I am going to find one of those small towns in the Panhandle to live in. Low crime, low rent, clean air, low price on groceries, and there are Amazon boxes nearby to receive pkgs. Another thing, our population is dropping dramatically because of all the young people no longer wanting to have kids
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harleygunn8975
A lot of the smaller towns around the panhandle of Texas don't seem to want to grow. They feel it will only bring big city problems. The thing is they already have some of those problems they go out of there way to hide that fact. Also, some of these towns if they don't like you will make it impossible to stay there. If you're labeled as an undesirable it's best to move along.
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A lot of the smaller towns around the panhandle of Texas don't seem to want to grow. They feel it will only bring big city problems. The thing is they already have some of those problems they go out of there way to hide that fact. Also, some of these towns if they don't like you will make it impossible to stay there. If you're labeled as an undesirable it's best to move along.
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nativetexanful
Being born and raised in Texas it's really sad to see how these old towns are dying. Texas is changing so much. In Dallas where I grew up rents have become unaffordable for most people. Houston is the same way. I don't know where it's all going to end. I wish I could go back to the old Texas of the 60s and 70s when it was affordable and there were plenty of jobs.
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Being born and raised in Texas it's really sad to see how these old towns are dying. Texas is changing so much. In Dallas where I grew up rents have become unaffordable for most people. Houston is the same way. I don't know where it's all going to end. I wish I could go back to the old Texas of the 60s and 70s when it was affordable and there were plenty of jobs.
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baileykrobot9474
You even from around here friend I am. I spend a lot of time in some of these towns and believe you me they aint dying. There's 'community' you can't/won't/don't see just driving through. What you think is main street isn't. These towns are bursting at the seems with farmers and ranchers that don't hardly come to town but maybe once a week. Bless your heart.
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You even from around here friend I am. I spend a lot of time in some of these towns and believe you me they aint dying. There's 'community' you can't/won't/don't see just driving through. What you think is main street isn't. These towns are bursting at the seems with farmers and ranchers that don't hardly come to town but maybe once a week. Bless your heart.
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TEXAS_4U
So sad to see I grew up in duncanville Texas now I live in waxahachie Texas born in oak Cliff been around these parts for more than 60 years I miss the old days everybody was friendly many many mom and pop stores when God calls me home I will be ready to see all of this go away thank you very much for the hard work that you do putting these wonderful films together
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So sad to see I grew up in duncanville Texas now I live in waxahachie Texas born in oak Cliff been around these parts for more than 60 years I miss the old days everybody was friendly many many mom and pop stores when God calls me home I will be ready to see all of this go away thank you very much for the hard work that you do putting these wonderful films together
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rodneyhale7154
I lived in the Dallas metro area for about 20 years! Moved to small town in the Texas panhandle and haven’t looked back! Yes we drive about 25 miles for groceries and about anything else you need but it sure beats the traffic, crime, hustle and bustle of Dallas! You couldn’t make me live in a big city again!
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I lived in the Dallas metro area for about 20 years! Moved to small town in the Texas panhandle and haven’t looked back! Yes we drive about 25 miles for groceries and about anything else you need but it sure beats the traffic, crime, hustle and bustle of Dallas! You couldn’t make me live in a big city again!
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chrisdsmguy9241
I live in Memphis tx. Yes some of the homes are bad yes. But the city is trying to rebuild it self. More so after the fire that took out the town square last winter. , yes that brick road sucks. Everyone here wants it gone but the city council is old people who don't like change.
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I live in Memphis tx. Yes some of the homes are bad yes. But the city is trying to rebuild it self. More so after the fire that took out the town square last winter. , yes that brick road sucks. Everyone here wants it gone but the city council is old people who don't like change.
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dalepxp8963
Just think this country is 33 $Trillion in debt as well. For $33 Trillion you would be thinking, at least the Country is in Great Shape Right Unfortunately most of it looks like these towns, and the cities are starting to fall apart too now. All that money ripped off.
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Just think this country is 33 $Trillion in debt as well. For $33 Trillion you would be thinking, at least the Country is in Great Shape Right Unfortunately most of it looks like these towns, and the cities are starting to fall apart too now. All that money ripped off.
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CaptainHowdy1969
I loved this. nothing against your usual videos I love how you roll, but this. just cruising along the countryside listening to a musical score. so very cool. this is the kind of video I could watch more often and just decompress and relax to. thanks buddy!
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I loved this. nothing against your usual videos I love how you roll, but this. just cruising along the countryside listening to a musical score. so very cool. this is the kind of video I could watch more often and just decompress and relax to. thanks buddy!
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highjenks3d
I grew up in all of those small towns the only thing that ever changes there is that the cemeteries get more full, the reasons for these small towns drying up is simple what once was 40 acres and a mule has now become 2, 500 acres and a GPS driven tractor
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I grew up in all of those small towns the only thing that ever changes there is that the cemeteries get more full, the reasons for these small towns drying up is simple what once was 40 acres and a mule has now become 2, 500 acres and a GPS driven tractor
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NTRememberTheName
0: 27 - Claude
1: 29 - Clarendon
3: 17 - Memphis
6: 50 - Red River
7: 10 - Estelline
8: 14 - Childress
13: 09 - Goodlett
14: 47 - Quanah
16: 30 - Chillicothe
18: 03 - Vernon
21: 23 - Wichita Falls
22: 40 - Dallas
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0: 27 - Claude
1: 29 - Clarendon
3: 17 - Memphis
6: 50 - Red River
7: 10 - Estelline
8: 14 - Childress
13: 09 - Goodlett
14: 47 - Quanah
16: 30 - Chillicothe
18: 03 - Vernon
21: 23 - Wichita Falls
22: 40 - Dallas
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mattkenney2637
B. S! These towns have been that way for 50 years. They're as dead or alive as they are going to be. Most the towns shown Monday thru Friday 8-5 pm are actually pretty bustling. Hit em on Saturday or Sunday afternoon and they'll be pretty sparse.
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B. S! These towns have been that way for 50 years. They're as dead or alive as they are going to be. Most the towns shown Monday thru Friday 8-5 pm are actually pretty bustling. Hit em on Saturday or Sunday afternoon and they'll be pretty sparse.
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usa-by-car
Lived in whichita falls for a little while as a kid. My grandmother and grandfather we're antique dealers. We'd go to Buffalo gap and camp Bowie. Fond memories, I miss those days. Lots of old country folks and history.
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Lived in whichita falls for a little while as a kid. My grandmother and grandfather we're antique dealers. We'd go to Buffalo gap and camp Bowie. Fond memories, I miss those days. Lots of old country folks and history.
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usa-by-car
Just about every one of those towns looks pretty good compared to DFW these days.
If you live in one of these towns you should make a more in-depth video and come back and tell us so we can check it out.
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Just about every one of those towns looks pretty good compared to DFW these days.
If you live in one of these towns you should make a more in-depth video and come back and tell us so we can check it out.
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abooogeek
16: 30 the collapsed garage roof, all over a parked car in Chilicothe has not moved by a iota since at least 2014. I take US-287 several times a year and that place is like time stopped, frozen in time.
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16: 30 the collapsed garage roof, all over a parked car in Chilicothe has not moved by a iota since at least 2014. I take US-287 several times a year and that place is like time stopped, frozen in time.
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usa-by-car
I live in Childress and it’s starting to grow slowly but surely some of the other small towns do have to come to Childress and get some of there needs at the Walmart here
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I live in Childress and it’s starting to grow slowly but surely some of the other small towns do have to come to Childress and get some of there needs at the Walmart here
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amandabratten3102
I’m from Claude, and it’s completely grown over the last 10 years to include new businesses. Just opened a huge Allsups there. They aren’t dying towns
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I’m from Claude, and it’s completely grown over the last 10 years to include new businesses. Just opened a huge Allsups there. They aren’t dying towns
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vanessaramz2635
You people act like these town are absolutely dead when there is so much life around. It’s a community and everything is taken care of better than a big city
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You people act like these town are absolutely dead when there is so much life around. It’s a community and everything is taken care of better than a big city
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juligrlee556
I would like to drive this same route. I'm fascinated by fading towns. If there was no crime, I would buy a large property in these towns for my own privacy.
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I would like to drive this same route. I'm fascinated by fading towns. If there was no crime, I would buy a large property in these towns for my own privacy.
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joehammond2586
Hate to see Memphis go, it is half way between my homes, Denver & Houston. Good place to spend the night. All these towns are familiar to me, sad.
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Hate to see Memphis go, it is half way between my homes, Denver & Houston. Good place to spend the night. All these towns are familiar to me, sad.
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davidgonzales2274
There are empty houses in california, dean martins wifes house in palm springs is empty, would like to put mytwo feet down where he did.
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There are empty houses in california, dean martins wifes house in palm springs is empty, would like to put mytwo feet down where he did.
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Funhat56
My in-laws lived in Estelline from 1986-93. I loved visiting there. It was so quiet. The night sky was spectacular. It’s also a speed trap
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My in-laws lived in Estelline from 1986-93. I loved visiting there. It was so quiet. The night sky was spectacular. It’s also a speed trap
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