You’ll find Alexander, Texas nestled in Erath County, where two major railways intersected in 1907 to create a thriving commercial center. The town peaked in the 1890s with 381 residents and 21 businesses before declining after the Cotton Belt Route’s abandonment in 1934. Today, you can explore the haunting ruins, including the infamous McDow Hole and sites where locals report encounters with the Blue Lady. The crumbling structures and spectral tales hold deeper secrets beneath their weathered facades.
Key Takeaways
- Alexander was established in the 1880s as a railroad town in Texas, reaching its peak with 381 residents and 21 businesses.
- The town’s decline began with the abandonment of the Cotton Belt Route in 1934, leading to its eventual ghost town status.
- Modern Alexander contains crumbling buildings, roofless structures, and remnants of its mining heritage, including tailing piles.
- The town is known for supernatural legends, including the Blue Lady ghost and haunting tales around McDow Hole.
- The site was originally a railroad junction where Texas Central and Stephenville North and South Texas Railway lines intersected.
The Rise and Fall of a Railroad Town
When the Texas Central line reached the small settlement of Harper’s Mill in the 1880s, the town’s transformation into Alexander marked the beginning of its railroad era.
You’ll find that Alexander’s railroad history took off after W.C. Keith sold land to the railroad company, leading to the town’s formal establishment.
The economic transformation accelerated in 1907 when the Stephenville North and South Texas Railway intersected with the existing Katy line, creating a crucial junction point.
The arrival of the Stephenville North and South Texas Railway created a vital crossroads, spurring Alexander’s growth as a transportation hub.
The town flourished as a regional hub, with a post office and various businesses serving the growing community. Like its namesake Alexander the Great, the town’s influence expanded rapidly across the region.
The area’s rich history includes Daniel Alexander’s farm, established in 1847 by a former enslaved horse breeder and trainer.
However, you can trace Alexander’s decline to the 1934 abandonment of the Cotton Belt Route, followed by the Katy line’s closure in the late 1960s.
McDow Hole: A Haunted Pioneer Legacy
Deep within the rural landscape of Erath County, McDow Hole emerged as a critical lifeline for pioneer settlers in the 1850s, owing to its spring-fed waters in Green’s Creek about three miles north of Alexander.
The site’s haunted history began when Big Jim McDow acquired the land in 1860, following tragic events that would forever mark this remote outpost. The area’s natural bedrock bottom kept water fresh during droughts. Joe Hickey purchased farmland near the haunted spring in 1909 after his wife’s death.
- An unidentified pioneer family’s massacre near the spring left their scalped bodies buried by Wesley Hickey’s militia.
- Jenny Papworth’s spectral sightings terrorized locals after her mysterious disappearance.
- Charlie Atchinson’s inexplicable death inside the Papworth cabin with a horrified expression.
- Two men’s failed bet to stay three nights, leaving bullet holes in cabin walls.
Today, McDow Hole’s waters lie within Martin Creek Lake State Park, where visitors still whisper about unexplained phenomena echoing from its pioneer past.
Tales of the Blue Lady and Ghostly Encounters
Beyond McDow Hole’s haunting legacy, the Blue Lady of Alexander has become the town’s most enduring supernatural tale.
You’ll find her story woven into the fabric of local lore, where ghost sightings often describe a beautiful young woman in a flowing blue dress wandering the haunted locations near Sentinel Hill. Her tragic love story ended in violence, leaving her spirit to search eternally for her lost companion. Women visitors have reported their earrings mysteriously disappearing, only to be discovered later in unexpected places. Similar to Fort Phantom Hill’s apparitions, visitors report experiencing distinct smells of roses and unexplained phenomena.
You might encounter her presence through mysterious phenomena – phantom footsteps, unexplained blue mists, or electronic disturbances.
Like the legendary María de Ágreda who ministered to the Jumano tribe, the Blue Lady’s spirit connects deeply to Texas heritage. Local witnesses, including a bewildered police officer who reported striking her spectral form, continue to fuel the legend’s persistence in Alexander’s ghostly history.
Historic Transportation Routes and Abandonment
As the Texas Central Railroad carved its path through Erath County in 1880, Alexander emerged from 240 acres of land purchased from W.C. (Billie) Keith. This transportation legacy began with the arrival of the Katy Railroad, transforming the area into a bustling hub when the Cotton Belt Route created a significant junction in 1907. Similar to Toyah’s experience, the presence of railway shipping played a crucial role in the community’s early development.
You’ll find evidence of the town’s economic transformation in its peak population of 381 residents and 21 thriving businesses during the 1890s. Wes Brule, the first merchant, started with a tent store before establishing a permanent structure.
- The town’s layout centered around numbered east-west streets, with named streets north of Fifth Street.
- Rail operations supported freight, mail, and passenger transport until the 1960s.
- Cotton Belt Route’s abandonment in 1934 marked the beginning of decline.
- Highway 6 and Farm Road 914 replaced rail transport, but couldn’t sustain growth.
Modern Day Remnants and Local Folklore
While modern Alexander stands silent, you’ll discover haunting remnants of its bygone era scattered across the landscape. The ghost town architecture reveals itself through roofless buildings, crumbling foundations, and weathered wooden structures that hint at the community’s former liveliness.
You’ll find evidence of its mining heritage in the form of tailing piles and a capped mine shaft with visible timber supports. Like the toxic mercury mining that defined Terlingua’s past, these industrial remnants tell a story of dangerous extraction work. From its peak of 381 residents in the late 1800s, Alexander has dwindled to a shadow of its former self.
Near the infamous McDow Hole, local folklore tells of tragic pioneer deaths and supernatural occurrences. This spring-fed water source, marked by unmarked graves and tales of scalped victims, remains a source of eerie cultural significance.
Despite lacking tourist facilities, you can still explore Alexander’s authentic ruins, though you’ll need to navigate rough terrain and exercise caution around the deteriorating structures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Guided Tours Available to Visit Alexander and Mcdow Hole?
You won’t find regular guided tours to Alexander or Mcdow Hole. Your best option for guided exploration is self-directed visits, as established tour companies don’t currently include these locations in their offerings.
What Safety Precautions Should Visitors Take When Exploring the Ghost Town?
Bring safety gear including sturdy boots, flashlights, and first aid supplies. Stay alert for wildlife, don’t explore alone, and tell someone your plans. Avoid unstable structures and carry plenty of water.
When Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Alexander?
You’ll find the best seasons to visit are spring (March-May) and fall (September-November), when mild weather conditions make outdoor exploration comfortable. You can enjoy wildflowers in spring and colorful foliage in autumn.
Can Visitors Still Access the Original Railroad Tracks and Station Sites?
You’ll find limited access to original tracks since they’ve been removed, and station sites aren’t preserved. While historically significant, most areas are on private property requiring permission for exploration.
Are There Any Local Museums Featuring Alexander’s Railroad and Paranormal History?
You won’t find dedicated museums showcasing Alexander’s railroad artifacts or paranormal exhibits. Nearby regional museums occasionally feature general railroad-era items, but nothing specific to Alexander’s unique history.
References
- https://www.themoonlitroad.com/mcdow-hole-texas-ghost-story-haunted/
- https://www.legendsofamerica.com/tx-fortphantom/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander
- http://wildelori.blogspot.com/2011/11/curse-of-mcdow-hole.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Texas
- https://www.allacrosstexas.com/texas-ghost-town.php?city=Alexander
- https://www.texasescapes.com/CentralTexasTownsNorth/AlexanderTexas.htm
- https://www.texasescapes.com/Ghosts/The-McDow-Hole.htm
- https://townofalexander.com/history/town_history.pdf
- https://www.thealexanderfarm1847.org/history
