Benina, Texas facts for kids

Benina was a small town that used to be in southeastern San Augustine County, Texas, United States. It was about 20 miles southeast of the town of San Augustine. Today, Benina is known as a ghost town because it no longer exists as a populated place.

What Happened to Benina?

The area where Benina was located had its first post office in 1871. It was called Ashton back then. In 1874, the name changed to Boren's Mills. By 1884, Boren's Mills was a small community with about 100 people. It had three places that combined a cotton gin (to separate cotton fibers) and a gristmill (to grind grain). There was also a blacksmith shop, where people made and repaired metal items.

The town's name changed again in 1889, this time to Benina. In 1896, Benina had about 30 residents. It also had two churches, one for Methodists and one for Baptists.

Why Did Benina Disappear?

Like many small towns, Benina's population started to shrink. By 1914, only 25 people lived there. The post office, which is often a sign of a town's activity, closed in 1920. As time went on, Benina became less and less important. By the 1940s, it was no longer shown on state highway maps. This means it had become a ghost town, a place where people once lived but is now deserted.