The video above takes you on a drive through Bartlett, Texas — one of the more fascinating ghost towns in Texas that isn't actually empty. Located about 50 miles north of Austin, Bartlett has a Main Street strip that looks straight out of a Western movie set, with crumbling storefronts, faded painted advertisements, and buildings missing their roofs. But unlike true ghost towns where nobody lives, Bartlett still has a population in the mid-1,000s and some real signs of life if you know where to look.
What Makes Bartlett Look Like a Ghost Town?
Bartlett was founded in 1881 and hit its peak population of 2,200 back in 1914, fueled by the railroad depot that opened in 1904 and a booming cotton and grain shipping industry. When the cotton industry declined through the 1920s and 30s and the depot eventually closed, the town started its long slide. The historic downtown strip — built mostly in the early 1900s — lost its grocery stores, independent shops, and later its antique dealers as big box stores pulled commerce away. A history of corruption among local public officials hasn't helped matters either. What's left is a stretch of old brick and stone buildings, some fully intact and some literally falling apart, that gives the whole place a weathered, time-capsule quality.
Why Has Hollywood Filmed in Bartlett?
That classic abandoned Western look has caught the attention of film crews. Bartlett served as a filming location for the movie Newton Boys and for episodes of 1923, the Paramount series that spins off from Yellowstone. Walking the downtown strip, you can see why — the old painted building advertisements, including restored Coca-Cola murals done up to look exactly as they would have decades ago, give the town an authentic period feel that's hard to fake on a soundstage. There are also lots available for lease and a few active businesses scattered among the old storefronts, plus the former historic bank building has been converted into an Airbnb.
A Quick Detour to Wilson Valley Merkantile
David Bridwell stopped in Bartlett on his way to play music at a spot just 20 minutes up the road:
- Wilson Valley Merkantile — Bell County's only legal distillery, also connected to Evans Ranch where they raise beef and sell it on-site. It's a unique combination of live music, spirits, and ranch culture in a rural Bell County setting.
Given Bartlett's proximity to Austin — roughly an hour's drive — some folks believe the town could see real growth as the Austin metro continues to expand outward. There are already small signs of revitalization alongside the decay. It's the kind of place worth pulling off the highway for, even if you only spend thirty minutes walking the strip and taking it all in before heading to your next gig up the road.