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RUIDOSA, TEXAS
AKA Rio Doso, Riodosa
Texas
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
Population:
43 (since 1990)
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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.
CR 2810 - Images: |
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An
adobe ruin at Ruidosa
Photo courtesy Erik Whetstone, April 2005 |
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Ruin along CR 2810
Photo courtesy Erik Whetstone, April 2005 |
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Another
view of CR 2810
Photo courtesy Erik Whetstone, April 2005 |
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Abandoned
Truck Chassis in need of restoration
Photo courtesy Erik Whetstone, April 2005 |
Ruidosa
Texas Forum
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:
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 alot 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
Area Hotels, Book Here & Save
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