Darwin, Texas facts for kids

Darwin was once a busy coal mining town in Webb County, Texas. It was located near the city of Laredo, right where the Rio Grande river meets Santo Tomas creek. Today, Darwin is known as a ghost town, meaning it's a place where almost everyone has left, and little remains.

The Story of Darwin

Darwin was founded in 1882 because people discovered a lot of coal nearby. Coal was a very important fuel back then. The town was named after David Darwin Davis, who owned the Cannel Coal Company. He helped start the mining operations in the area.

Growing with Coal Mining

For a while, Darwin was a thriving place. By 1914, the town's population had grown to about 800 people. This was a big number for a small mining town. To help transport all the coal dug from the mines, the Rio Grande and Eagle Pass Railroad was built. This railroad made it easier to move the coal to other places where it was needed.

Why Darwin Became a Ghost Town

The good times for Darwin didn't last forever. By 1939, the coal mines that supported the town were shut down. When the mines closed, most people had to leave to find work elsewhere. The town's population quickly dropped to only about 75 people. Over time, even those few residents moved away.

Today, Darwin is a true ghost town. The buildings and homes are gone. The only thing that remains to show where the town once stood is a cemetery. It serves as a quiet reminder of the people who once lived and worked there.

See also

In Spanish: Darwin (Texas) para niños