I lived in Spur in 1969, I shined shoes at the barber shop, when the regular guys was out. I play pool right down the street , bought my first cowboy hat at the general store. seen a bloody movie at Halloween, at the movie theater. Had my first real girl friend from there. A lot of memories from that little town. I was thirteen at the time.
Thank you again for bringing vistas of America that we would never see otherwise - it really is an education in how immense the country is and how the changing economic conditions cause towns to rise and fall. Appreciate everything you do !
Merry Christmas and a happy new year Joe & Nic I love your videos they're so peaceful and informative Texas is a place I'd love to visit all the way from the UK 🤶 🧑🎄 🎄
My grandfather operated a cotton gin near Lubbock. I remember when we would go visit our grandparents during cotton harvest. My grandmother would load my sister and I up in their 55 Chevy Belair. She would visit cotton gins in many of the small towns in this area and pick up cotton samples that would be taken back for testing. The samples were in these long sock looking canvas bags with tags on them. By the time we got back home the trunk, back seat, back floor board and sometimes the front seat would be full of these bags. Along the way gin owners would gift us with gin branded ink pens, pencils, buttons, caps, miniature cotton bales, and often dimes and quarters for candy and a coke!!! Fun times!!! Wish I still had all those branded items as they are now collectors pieces.
I grew up in that area. Every August Roaring Springs would have the Old Settlers Reunion. In the 60s it was a big deal. Indoor dance hall with a live band. Outdoor dancing with a live band. Rodeo and full carnival with rides and games. I was playing Bingo for the first time. My father looked at my card and told me I had a Bingo. I asked him what I should do. The said yell Bingo. I was hooked on that game. Thousands of people would be there for the 3 days. Highway Patrol and Sheriff Deputies from all around the area would be there to keep order. Fun times
This year was the 100th anniversary of the Old Settlers. My wife and I moved here from California. We love living in Spur and really enjoyed the Old Settlers this year.
I live in a similar town. But we don’t have cops or local law enforcement. Every now and then you might see a sheriff deputy parked, sleeping under a tree or something. We have beer and weed here though. The rodeos are great and fairs just as good.
I lived in Spur, Texas on a small ranch when I was about 15 years old. I enjoyed living there and watched the old timers play dominoes downtown. They would tell stories about their cowboy days….good memories….
@Roger...that! would be so cool. I wish ppl. myself included , had vids of when we were young. (like the 50/60's era..lol) Taping of the happenings in down town areas of our small quaint slow pace towns.
I'm currently in a smallish town in Mississippi - it was good for small business' when there was bigger industry - like a brickyard, fence manufacturing and lumber yard for homes. They all left but we do still have a nice sized grocery store, hospital and post office and 30 min to the nearest populated town... But, the main street looks a lot like those blighted towns with a few hanger on shops.
In the UK we have had 60 years of propaganda films from the USA dressed up as entertainment . We never thought for a second that such poverty could exist as shown in your videos. Add the shrinking populations of many of these places and what future do they have? There should be a special award for the work you have done a great job.
@johnsmith-mq4eq Hello John, I'm English, live in England,UK. I personally believe more 60 years, perhaps propaganda started in 1930s ( just asking/saying ) Anyway, Peace to all.
We do have obscene poverty in parts of us. However… these ghost towns or near ghost towns, they’re more of a product of retirement and the kids leaving home. Eventually the work dies out and the kids never come back
Yes these towns are disappearing, but just try to buy land around these places. The prices are out of control, and people with money don't want to live there. If the property prices were lower, less affluent people might be able to move there and help rejuvenate these places.
Red McCombs owned several large Ford dealerships in San Antonio. He lived in a very affluent superb, Olmos Park. I was a fireman there in late 70s. Insiders say ol Red was not a very nice guy.
My mom went to school with Red’s daughter Lynda. She said Lynda was the only kid in middle school who drove to school (Pat Neff). She also said that she was snobby. Wonder where she got that from…🙄🤔
The old train depot in Roaring Springs is beautiful! It was part of the Quanah, Acme & Pacific Railroad, and used until 1971; which is also the year Amtrak took over passenger service. The town purchased it the next year, and it's a Texas historical landmark. Can't get enough of historical Mission Revival train depots, simply beautiful!
If you can find a copy, check out The Quanah Route by Don L. Hofsommer (Texas A & M University Press), 215 p. of text with pictures, chapter-by-chapter notes, bibliography and index. It's good reading. Ed in Albuquerque
@@Harpoon2theRescueclose but I’d have to say Georgia drivers. Specifically Atlanta are the worst. 80mph and bam the entire freeway decides to slam to an immediate stop. No coasting. Just… hope you got good breaks
My wife grew up near Spur and wanted to buy and open up that first building you showed (she also wanted to turn it into a coffee and tea shop). The population of Spur dropped because the private prison. The decline in all of these towns are due to the lack of infrastructure, which is driving people to Lubbock for goods, jobs, or homes. I grew up in Dallas, but have lived out here for twenty years and it’s sad to see these quiet towns dry up and die. We still live out here, but not sure for how much longer. The summers are getting too much for us to handle.
People pass away and the kids have grown up and moved away. People moved away, setup their new life and don’t look back. When the parents passed away, the house is either sold or left alone. It looks like a nice place to retire and take life nice and slow. Quiet and small community. Perfect place to have avoided Covid.
Thanks for taking us along on this drive. I used to live in Lubbock before the pandemic. I got to go through Ralls and Crosbyton while there. Ralls is indeed pronounced that way. It's refreshing to see sunny weather instead of the foggy and rainy stuff up here in the Pacific Northwest. Population decline in the rural areas of West Texas has been a thing for years now.
You might have grew up with some of my family. I'm a Anderson descendant. My great auntie Loletha was a school teacher there. My uncle BL Anderson was one of the founding members of Shiloh Baptist Church there in Ralls
When the itinerary calls for a trip to Ralls, and someone says what in the dickens are you doing in Dickens, you hit the road, tune in some Motley Crue, and travel to Motley County. We enjoy and appreciate your videos very much; keep it up!
👍Fascinating. The sun-bleached ocher oranges and the sandstone ashlar and the fire-trap whitened dry timber, under the still, deep-blue cloudless skies that are somehow low-hung -- and amid broad-stretch streets with not a soul to be seen on them other than the backwash of a fast passing vehicle, sagging chain-fences, junk-yard front lawns and intermittent witch-spindle trees -- all remind of the aesthetic of the (less violent moments) in the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie.👍
So excited to see Ralls , Spur, Rolling Springs and Dickinson! I go thru there about twice a year going to Lubbock to visit family ! I would love to live in a small town. A lot of these people work and shop in Lubbock! Enjoying the history and information on every little community! I agree, your voice is very smooth and easy to listen to!
My stepfather was born and raised in Amarillo, he played back up stand up base for buddy Holly and did one Lubbock triangle tour with him when he was a senior in high school, I've driven through here while traveling, Mahalo y'all
24:45 You could imagine the veterans from the wars returning to this this town. Fought their way across the Pacific or Europe, Korea or Vietnam. Anxiously waiting to see this train station meaning they survived and successfully made it back to home. We all come from somewhere.
This video reminded me of a movie from 1971 called "The last picture show". It showed about how bleak life in west texas could be. It was a good movie and this was another good video. Merry Christmas to you both. Sincerely, Jim Thornton
That movie hit very much dead center on small town life. I also enjoyed Texasville. It wasn't as good a movie but it was dead on describing small town folks.
You saved the best for last, Ralls. The other towns are barely alive. Not one fancy mansion type home which tells lots about these towns. A great trifecta and cats which is always fun. Another good video. I drive a Fiesta ST which is lowered stock and it couldn't make it around the first three towns at all. Your 4 wheeled drive vehicle is indeed a necessity to do your job. Thanks for keeping us entertained, another great video, you've got the knack and I'm glad you don't usually sing much.
Yeah, I bet it was hard to get a fair trial in that tiny town back in that day. One lawyer town and a courthouse courtroom with jurors who know each other and know who is good and who is bad. Already know who is guilty before the trial even starts! I enjoy all of your videos of the various places you travel to, especially the ones in Texas. Thanks for sharing and a Merry Christmas to yaw. Ken
Hi. Joe and Nic! I just discovered your channel!!! I love it! I love history like this. I’ve been binge watching it since I discovered your channel two weeks ago!❤❤❤
I think one of the major reasons little towns are disappearing, and not the only reason of course, is that modern cars are far easier to drive long distances. I remember 40 odd years ago how sore my back would be from driving old cars. You needed to concentrate a lot more as the steering pre rack and pinion was all over the place and the seats were crap, with very little support. Now we just jump in the car and drive all day and still feel fine and dandy at the end of it. 😀😀
Actually I think good cars are the only thing keeping a lot of these towns on life support instead of being Ghost towns. People can live in these little towns and drive to jobs, grocery stores, and medical care in bigger communities. Back before cars when the reason a town existed ended (like a mine playing out) everyone left quickly.
One of the greatest high school prom dances I ever did was in Spur, May 11, 1979 (AmaChron The Z-93 Entertainers). The theme was "Saturday Night Fever" and the kids were enthralled with 'Disco Fever'. Started the dance with "Stayin' Alive", "Night Fever", "Boogie Nights" and "How Deep Is Your Love". They danced to every song and a gave a huge round of applause at the end. Also did dances in Ralls and Dickens in later years.
Judge Henry Aldrich Carlos Brummett 1888-1965, he also had a son, Henry Aldrich Carlos Brummett Jr. 1915-1980 - born in Spur, Tx - served in WW2. Both are buried in Lubbock Co. Tx.
True story: my Dad worked for Firestone tire in early 60s. He stopped in Spur at a gas station . He saw someone stick an air hose in a tire with Split Rings. Poor guy went in to get a coke. The guy came out to check on it and when the guy leaned over the Split Ring shot straight up and killed him instantly. He told us this in 2024 like 60 years later. Split rings require a cage to work on now. Very dangerous to work on them. Hope you visited Lubbock. We have an awesome Buddy Holly museum here and ranching heritage with old homes .
I grew up in a town with 1500 people here in Texas. It was the best times of my life. I worked on a cattle ranch during high school and it toughened me up and taught me how to work hard. I kind of wish I had never left. Take care.
When the dickens court house was in use, all the local teenagers parked out front on the side facing west at night. Some nights we would have trucks for 200 yards going south. Streaking was a big thing when I was in high school in afton. Running around the court house naked once or twice and going down the street south lol really good times. Dickens, afton, spur and roaring springs used too be wild places at night. Oh let’s not forget jayton.
That blue sky is awsome. Very few hills. No problem mowing lawn. Looks to be quite warm in summers. Enjoyed video, love to travel by arm chair. Thank you!
@ 2:34 is a picture of spur dated 1909, and in the background is a building that has a facade that is crenelated along the top of the facade and the words Bryant Link Merchandise written across the front of the building. @ 3:24, we can see the building with the crenelated facade and the words Bryant Link Merchandise on the building next door. Very interesting that they survived.
Very solid video on some of these smaller forgotten towns. Ralls looks like it can be saved, but the others are looking quite done for. I think Dickens could have turned around, but it may be too late at this point in time. Can't wait to see the next video and Merry Christmas to you and the family.
I have been told, on more than one occasion, the Sheriff's office still has a gallows in it. They keep it for historical purposes. Some friends and I, while traveling to Lubbock for a gig, wrote a song called, "Where in the Dickens are You?" The chorus is... between Spur and Matador on hiway 82, where in the Dickens are you? I'm enjoying your videos.
Visit the old towns of Dell City, Pecos, Sul Ross-Alpine, Marfa, Fort Hancock,Fabens, Clint, Tornillo and Socorro. I moved out when I joined the service in 1989. I heard these little towns are thriving.
That little coffee shop broke my heart. It still looked operational, but its in the middle of nowhere! It must be so depressing and lonely to live there.
A wonderful video, as always. Fascinating towns, in a very dry and dusty landscape. I love the coffee shop at the start of the video, a beautiful little building ! A very cool spot to enjoy a coffee ! Always so interesting exploring these towns ! Your hotel room looks beautiful, awesome views ! Thanks so much. Merry Christmas Joe and Nic !😊💚
It's kind of funny to me, a friend of mine lived in San Antonio (I'm from Ohio, but living in Philadelphia since 1987), and asked me if I would be willing to fly out (at her cost) to San Antonio, and drive her and her very old dog, in her SUV, back to the city she loves, Philadelphia (this was early December 2021. She was only in San Antonio for a few years to care for her aging father, who had recently passed. Anyway, her timing was perfect, I'm single, I was 56, kind of bored since COVID crap had ruined my social life, so I took her up on the 26 hour drive adventure. I had never been in Texas, except for Dallas airport. I fully expected to see the dry and dusty terrain like in this video, but the route we took (I-35 and I-30) was beautiful, with lush farmland and green fields everywhere, I was quite surprised by it's beauty. I see now, having looked at Google Earth, that the eastern half (San Antonio, Dallas etc.) is green, the western half of the state (as this video represents) is all dry and dusty, like I pictured from the cowboy movies and such. I always thought all of Texas looked that way.
I probably would have agreed to the scenario. Sometimes adventures find us at the correct moment where we can say what the hey, let's accomplish something.
@@DIVISIONINCISION I would never have known that until I made that trip, Before that, I only saw Texas in cowboy movies (probably none of which were actually shot in Texas) and such. It was a fun adventure, beautiful views, and the people I met on the way were super friendly.
Great videos Joe!!..love those Texas skies, interesting sights,. ..Wish a Merry Christmas to you & Nicole,. And a good New Year ahead🎉 "Thank You Good Sir"...God's Speed in your travels.🌼
Subscribed and hit the like button as well as the notification bell! I’ve been binge watching your videos all night! As a child through adulthood, I’ve traveled through small unknown towns and I’ve always been curious about them and what it would be like to live there! Your videos are right up my alley with all the video content and information you research. I love it! Id love to jump across the country living in small towns for a few months, getting to experience them, then hop off to the next one. Unfortunately I’m not sure how I could make a living being so nomadic per say.
What's stupid is that most of those buildings are worth essentially zero. But when you go there and check prices, the asking prices are as bad as DFW/Austin.
A lot of those small towns have consolidated school districts that play six man football which is a source of pride for the towns. Another resident of Spur, Texas who achieved a degree of infamy was Marshall Applewhite of the Heavens Gate cult.
