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Winkelmann, Texas

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Ghost town in Texas, US Ghost town in Texas, United States
Winkelmann
Ghost town
Winkelmann in 2009Winkelmann in 2009
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyWashington
Named forRay Winkelmann

Winkelmann is a heritage tourist ghost town in Washington County, Texas, United States.

History

Local developer and antiques dealer Ray Winkelmann purchased and collected about 150 historical buildings. In 1983, he purchased a five-acre plot outside of Brenham, on U.S. Route 290, and moved 19 buildings to the property. The restored structures included schoolhouses, plantation houses, a saloon, and a general store. Tourists arrived and Winkelmann operated the saloon, the general store and a restaurant, and leased other buildings to local businesses. The town became a group tour destination, with upwards of 90 people working there at its peak.

In 1986, during an economic downturn, the town was lost to the Washington County State Bank. It was auctioned in 1989, went through several ownerships, and was abandoned by 1994. In 2022, one building and a restaurant sign were left standing.

References

  1. ^ Association, Texas State Historical. "Winkelmann, TX". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  2. ^ CharlieCharlie (2022-08-12). "A Weird Texas Ghost Town That Never Technically Got Its Start". Mix 94.1. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  3. Taylor, Tamme (2022-08-30). "A Ghost Town in Reverse? Welcome to Winkelmann, Texas". US105. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
Municipalities and communities of Washington County, Texas, United States
County seat: Brenham
Cities
Washington County map
Unincorporated
communities
Ghost towns
Footnotes‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
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