Santo Tomás, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Santo Tomás, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Webb |
| Established | 1873 |
| Elevation | 532 ft (162 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 0 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CST) |
| Area code(s) | +1-956 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1385385 |
| Nearest Airports: Laredo: Laredo International Airport (KLRD) (LRD) Nuevo Laredo: Quetzalcoatl International Airport (MMNL) (NLD)) | |
Santo Tomás was once a busy coal-mining town in Webb County, Texas. It was located close to the city of Laredo. Today, Santo Tomás is known as a ghost town, meaning no one lives there anymore. It sits near the Colombia-Solidarity International Bridge.
Contents
History of Santo Tomás
Santo Tomás has a long and interesting history. It started as a ranching area and grew into a mining town.
Early Days and Naming
The town was founded way back in 1801 by a person named Antonio Gonzales. He named the town in honor of Saint Thomas. For many years, the land was mostly used for ranching. This was during a time when Europeans were settling in the Americas.
The Discovery of Coal
A big change happened in 1873 when high-quality coal was found in the area. This discovery led to the start of coal mining. Mining became the main activity in Santo Tomás.
Growth and the Railroad
To help move the coal, a special train track was built. In June 1882, the Rio Grande and Pecos Railroad was completed. This narrow-gauge railroad made it easier to transport the mined coal. With the mines and the railroad, Santo Tomás grew quickly. By the year 1900, about 1,000 people lived in the town.
Decline and Becoming a Ghost Town
The good times for Santo Tomás did not last forever. By 1920, all the coal mines in the area had closed down. When the mines closed, most people left to find work elsewhere. The population of Santo Tomás dropped to only 18 people. Over time, everyone left, and Santo Tomás became the ghost town it is today.
