Mesquite Thorn, Texas

Toyah, Texas
Reeves County, West Texas

Editor - Mesquite, Thorn, Texas was erected by the Sanchez family of Toyah as a memorial to a family member whose life was cut short by an automobile accident. It's a beautiful memorial to such a sad event.

Visiting Mesquite Thorn
Photo courtesy James Feagin, 2002

Jason Penney: "Finally, I found this house on the East side of town, one of the few that weren't abandoned. They built it up like an old ghost town and it does look like one. It has a barber, a livery stable, a blacksmith, saloon, etc.

They have a very nice collection of various cacti and a walking path through it all. They call it 'Mesquite Thorn, Texas.'

I couldn't find anybody home to answer any questions, but the sign explains a bit of it. The sign invites you to walk through, but unfortunately, I was in a hurry on business."

Mesquite Thorn, Texas
Courtesy Jason Penney

Mesquite Thorn in Toyah, Texas

Toyah holds a special place in my heart and always will. My mother and father grew up there, went to school there and married there. After a brief look around Texas, they returned to Toyah and settled in. It saddens me to see Toyah in its current state. I remember a town bustling with activity (as much as there is for a small town), and the dynamics of human life. My heart longs for the those days. I have seen many people come and go, along with the much anticipation for better days. I have read the stories on your site and have been moved by the experiences people have had in Toyah. My experiences number too many to summarize.

I wish to thank the people who have appreciated Mesquite Thorn. My father and I spent many long hours building a place that could remind one of simpler times. A place where a little history and amusement could be shared with all who passed through. If Toyah has only one story passed along about it, no matter its current state, the memory of this special place will always live. - Christopher Sanchez, January 09, 2005

I'd driven through around 1991 in the middle of the night and stopped in (unsuccessfully looking for a bathroom!). A few years later, I spent some time taking pictures, wandering into the old bank (the safe area was still visible) and going through the Mesquite Town. I was intrigued with the town and am glad to have the opportunity to learn more about it. It looked like a wondeful place to have grown up. Thank you again for taking the time to set up the web site! - Greg Moore, May 25, 2004

I was recently surfing the web and ran across your web page on Toyah, Texas. I was very pleased to see Mesquite Thorn featured on this site. You see, I grew up in Pecos in the 80's and early ninety's. As a teenager I befriended a young girl my own age and thus proceeded to engage in a long, loving relationship with the entire family. The town might be small, but the family values were far from ghostly. My friends older sister, who brought life and vibrancy wherever she went, did pass away when we were still in high school. Although this was the most painful tragedy of my youth, I was happy to see that your page had a short bio on the history of Mesquite Thorn. Although, when we were young teenagers romping around the emptiness of the town and playing hide and go seek underneath the gym in the school, Mesquite Thorn was just an idea in the mind of one of the most sincerely kind man I have ever known. - Jacobs, April 23, 2003

Back to Toyah, Texas

Reeves County 1920s map showing Toyah,
SW of Pecos
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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