RV Friendly Ghost Town May Cause Heartburn

Quicksilver was discovered in Terlingua, Texas in 1890 and it quickly became the U.S. mercury capital producing over 40% of the fluid metal for U.S. industry. Mexican herders who encountered Comanche, Shawnee and Apache Indians living in the area named the place “Terlingua” meaning “three tongues”. At its peak 2,000 miners lived and worked in this community. They had a jail, church, theater, store and even an ice cream parlor. Unfortunately, the price of mercury declined the mines flooded and the town died. Terlingua quietly transitioned to “ghost town” status leaving behind all the relics including a very populated cemetery, and over 70 mine shafts the rail road backfilled after they purchased the land. Today you can pull your RV into the parking lot and take a self guided tour of the old ghost town. The original store, located inside the largest adobe building in Texas, continues to do business with the many tourists who visit each year. Imagine sitting on this porch enjoying the view while eating your bowl of chili. This might attract unwanted guests so fly swatters are conveniently hanging on the wall behind you. But who would be eating chili out here in the desert? Each year in early November thousands of people gather here for the world famous chili cook-off. Not only is Terlingua a ghost town, it’s also the “Chili Capitol of Texas”. You can buy the award winning chili ingredients in the store to try at home. Terlingua is located outside the west gate of Big Bend National Park. Searching for the ultimate RV chili recipe - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing