Williams Ranch, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Williams Ranch, Texas
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 Williams Ranch, Texas
Location in Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Mills County |
| Named for | John Williams |
| Elevation | 1,200 ft (400 m) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1954383 |
Williams Ranch is a fascinating ghost town located in Mills County, Texas. A ghost town is a place that was once a lively community but is now mostly empty or abandoned. Williams Ranch holds the title of the oldest settlement in Mills County. It also has the oldest known cemetery in the area, with graves dating back to the mid-1800s.
You can find Williams Ranch about 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Mullin. It is also about 8 miles (12.9 km) northwest of Goldthwaite, which is the main town in Mills County. When Williams Ranch was first settled, it was part of what is now Brown County. Mills County was created later, in 1887.
Contents
History of Williams Ranch
Williams Ranch began its story around 1855. A man named John Williams, who was from North Carolina, was traveling through the area. He decided to set up camp for the night next to a spring on Mullin Creek. He really liked the spot!
How Williams Ranch Got Its Name
John Williams was so impressed with the location that he decided to buy some land there. He bought it from another person whose last name was also Williams (W. W. Williams). John then established his ranch near the springs. The area became known as Williams Ranch because all of John Williams's sons also had ranches nearby.
Growth of the Community
Over the next ten years, a small community started to grow around Williams Ranch. People built homes, and businesses opened up. The Florida Hotel, which was the first hotel in the area, was built here. There was also a general store where people could buy supplies.
Williams Ranch was home to the first public school in the area that would later become Mills County. It also had a stage stop, which was a place where stagecoaches could stop to rest and change horses. A post office served the community from 1877 to 1892. The town even had the first mill in western Brown County, built near a spring.
Why Williams Ranch Became a Ghost Town
By the 1880s, about 250 people lived in Williams Ranch. However, the town's success did not last. The main reason it became a ghost town was because of a disagreement over the railroad. The Santa Fe Railroad was planning to build tracks through the area in 1885. The people of Williams Ranch asked for too much money for their land. Because of this, the railroad decided to go around Williams Ranch instead. This meant the town was bypassed, which hurt its growth. There was also a disagreement between the original settlers and the newer residents, which added to the town's decline.
Interestingly, Williams Ranch was once considered to be the county seat for Mills County. A petition was even created to make it the main town when the county was formed.
What Remains Today
Today, you can still find signs of the once-busy ranching community. The cemetery is still there and is well-kept. The Allen family owns land next to the cemetery and are local historians who know a lot about the area's past.
Geography of Williams Ranch
Williams Ranch is located near Mullin Creek. This creek starts in the middle of Mills County and flows southwest for 12 miles (19.3 km). It then joins with Brown Creek.
The Wire Road and Terrain
The settlement was an important stop on "The Wire Road." This was a dirt road that went from Austin all the way to Fort Phantom Hill near Abilene. It was called "The Wire Road" because it had the first telegraph line connecting Austin to the military outpost.
The land around Williams Ranch has steep slopes and flat areas called benches. The soil is mostly shallow clay or sandy. You can find different types of trees and plants growing here, such as juniper, live oak, mesquite, and various grasses.
