Bragg, Texas facts for kids

Bragg is a fascinating ghost town located in Hardin County, Texas, in the middle of the Big Thicket forest. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, and it's often empty or has very few residents left. Sometimes called "Bragg Station," this small community was busy in the early 1900s. It's about ten miles west of Kountze.

What is Bragg and How Did It Start?

Bragg was named after a general from a long time ago named Braxton Bragg. This town grew up around an important railroad crossing that the Santa Fe Railroad built in 1902. This railroad was super important because it helped move wood and other things needed for the oil industry near Beaumont.

Why Did People Leave Bragg?

After a few years, the way industries moved their goods started to change. They didn't need the railroad as much anymore. Because of this, the local post office, which helped the railroad and oil workers, closed down in 1914.

Also, many oil workers moved to other towns. The train tracks that went from Bragg Station south to a small town called Saratoga were taken apart in 1934. When the jobs and the railroad left, so did most of the people, turning Bragg into a ghost town.

What Can You See in Bragg Today?

Today, Bragg Station is mostly a small farming area. But it's also known for a special dirt road. This road is now a county park and is called the Ghost Road. It goes south towards Saratoga.

The Legend of the Ghost Light

The Ghost Road is famous for a local legend about a mysterious light. People call it the Light of Saratoga. It's a type of ghost light that some say you can see floating in the distance. Many people have tried to explain it, but it remains a spooky and interesting mystery that draws visitors to the area.