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Ruidosa Cantina
Photo courtesy Travis Peterson, December 2018 |
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.
Ruidosa Texas Forum › |
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Ruidosa ruins
Photo courtesy Travis Peterson, December 2018 |
Ruidosa ruins
Photo courtesy Travis Peterson, December 2018 |
Christmas wreath
Photo courtesy Travis Peterson, December 2018 |
Ruins of Sacred
Heart Mission in Ruidosa
Photo
courtesy Tom Rinard, 2004
More Texas Churches |
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Abandoned
Truck Chassis in need of restoration
Photo courtesy Erik
Whetstone, April 2005 |
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Ruidosa, Texas
Forum
Subject:
Family in Ruidosa, Texas?
It is the only information I could find on Ruidosa, Texas which
I guess is a ghost town now. My grandmother and her twin sister
were born there in 1900. But her obituary said El
Paso, Texas, maybe because she had no birth certificate. My
mother's cousin gave me this information. I know so little about
this side of the family. Apparently my grandmother, Guadalupe
Barrera was widowed before the twins were born, but remarried
and had more children. My grandmother's name was Manuela Barrera,
and she married Alejandro Arevalo. Just wondering if maybe
I have family in the area, or who have moved on. I would love know.
- K. Moore, kmaclaughlin76@gmail.com, November 21, 2016
Subject:
Family from Ruidosa, Texas
My father, Isaac Prieto Hernandez was born in this small
village 6-3-1921. His two sister's were married in the old historical
church, Carmen and Benita Hernandez. My father attended the
school also pictured in the photos. The family moved to Marfa
years later, then migrated to southern New Mexico. - Ben Hernandez,
Artesia, NM, December 31, 2011
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:
Long line of Nunez in 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 a lot 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
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Presidio
County 1940s map showing Ruisdosa
( Below "P" in "P-R-E-S-I-D-I-O")
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
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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
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