Audubon, Texas facts for kids

Audubon is what we call a ghost town in Wise County, Texas. A ghost town is a place where most or all people have left, and it's no longer a busy community.

Audubon was named after a famous naturalist named John Audubon. A naturalist is someone who studies nature, like plants and animals.

How Audubon Began

The first settler, D.D. Shirey, planned the town in 1865. For a while, Audubon became an important place for business and trade in the area. It even had a special meeting place called a Masonic lodge from 1879 to 1886.

Why Audubon Became a Ghost Town

However, in 1883, a big change happened. The Fort Worth and Denver Railway built its tracks, but they didn't go through Audubon. This meant that trains, which were very important for moving goods and people, bypassed the town. When a town is bypassed by a railway, it often loses its importance for trade and travel.

Because of this, Audubon slowly started to decline. By 1904, the town no longer had a post office. A post office is a vital part of any community, so losing it was another sign that the town was shrinking.

Remembering Audubon

Even though Audubon is now a ghost town, its history is remembered. In 1970, a special Texas state historical marker was put up where the town used to be. This marker helps people learn about the town's past and why it became a ghost town.