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"TEXAS' FAVORITE DETOUR"

Could Medicine Mound be
Texas' most interesting ghost town?

The Medicine Mound Museum


It is to the staff of Texas Escapes. Three reasons that come to mind are: #1 It doesn't mind being called a ghost town. It is what it is and it's certainly not pretentious (if it ever was). It is proud of it's fascinating history - but while many former towns are proud - Medicine Mound can boast having the most affectionate and charming overseer any town could ask for in the form of Myna Potts (reason #2).

Myna Potts
Myna Potts
Photo courtesy Teresa Byrd, 2006

If the first two reasons are not enough, then let us include Myna's helpers, John and Geri Bates. If you think you're in "good hands" with your choice of insurance companies - their logo only has two hands - while Medicine Mound has six capable hands. Our correspondence with the town's caretakers included letters from Myna - from which we assembled the following "interview." - Editor
Myna's "Interview"

"We surely are a bit off the beaten track, but it is the track our fathers picked long ago. Now [TxDoT] chose a spot on Hwy 287 to build a wonderful rest stop, to view the mounds to the south.

 Medicine Mound Texas - Medicine Mound Museum
The Medicine Mound Museum
Photo courtesy Geri Bates, 2006


 Medicine Mound Texas - W.W. Cole.Building and Old  gas pumps
The W.W. Cole Building
Photo courtesy Geri Bates, 2006

I own the store (now the museum), which was my fathers grocery store. He died in 1966. The Cole building was originally the bank, drugstore and post office. Only these two buildings now survive. I have part of each business' fixtures. Now these two buildings were built in 1933 because the town burned. The original town buildings were wooden. The solid granite round rocks were brought from Oklahoma and are actually prehistoric gravel.

I always knew I wanted to do something with the buildings and as I worked with Bill Neal while he did his book on the area, it occured to me there would never again be such a collection of area pictures. I included those that were donated or were in my collection - and those that were not donated I had photocopied. So this is how it started.

Medicine Mound Texas old photo, New York Steam Laundry, people, horse & buggies
"New York Steam Laundry"
Medicine Mound old photo courtesy Teresa Byrd, restored by John Bates

I have not sought publicity since I have always been very low key. I really want RURAL AMERICA to be kept in place. I am 79 and know I can not continue as I have in the past. I did quite a few things in the past. The first Saturday in November I cooked turkeys and ham and friends brought dishes and we had a feast. Now John Bates is taking the "Bull by the Horns".

Yes, I have never been far from Medicine Mounds. I have been to a few places but MM has always been home. Now, I will tell you that I am from the generation where your parents picked and chose your friends. I remember slipping off to one family's home - they had wooden floors and no linoleum, but it was very clean. All the family had lovely voices, and they could sing as well as play musical instruments. Such talent! - and what fun to go there.

Old bottles, Medicine Mound Museum display
Medicine Mound Museum old bottles display
Photo courtesy John Bates, 2006


Stetson Hat and hat box, Medicine Mound Museum Displays
Stetson hat and hat box. Medicine Mound Museum Display
Photo courtesy John Bates, October 2006

My plans for the future? To keep Medicine Mound together and to fit into this world of tomorrow. I have had opportunties to split up the collection, but [the interested parties] have only wanted the "keepers." It's true some things could go, but for the present I'll keep the things together which represent the rural America I knew."


- Myna Potts, November 2006
Medicine Mound, Texas



See Medicine Mound, Texas
Take a road trip

Texas Panhandle | Central Texas N

Medicine Mound , Texas Nearby Towns:
Quanah the couny seat
Chillicothe | Vernon | Childress

See Hardeman County

More Texas Ghost Town

Book Hotel Here:
Vernon Hotels | Quanah Hotels | More Hotels
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