Towash, Texas is a Ghost Town with a History and is Hidden Under a Lake

(Towash, Texas) - Texas is full of ghost towns that are ready to explore and to learn about their ill-fated history. Just remember to do your research beforehand because some could be privately owned. You could be charged with trespassing if you don't get proper permission.

If you head just north of Waco, there is a ghost town that is very hard to explore. Why? It's located in a state park for one. It's also at the bottom of Lake Whitney which is inside that state park.

History of Towash, Texas

Towash, Texas began around 1854 when folks started moving to the area to work at a wheat and corn mill there. That mill was run by two brothers, Simpson Cash and James Harrison Dyer. The brothers got permission to build a dam on the Brazos river so the flow of water could be directed to run the mill (lakewhitneyhub.com).

The mill brought in settlers to work but also became a place for social gatherings. This was due to the amount of people that would us the mill. The wait times for use could be up to two days. To pass the time, those people would socialize around the mill. The mill was also used during the Civil War to have wool carded to weave clothes and blankets.

This little town thrived because of the Dyer brother's mill. A post office was established along with a church, a few stores, a blacksmith, a cotton gin and more.

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The Decline of Towash, Texas

In the 1880's, the railroad was built in Whitney, about 25 miles from Towash. Throughout the following years, residents moved from Towash into Whitney. The deserted town stood until 1951 when the Whitney Dam was built. The dam created Lake Whitney which engulfed Towash.

Several of Towash's buildings still remain at the bottom of Lake Whitney about 110 feet down according to many scuba divers. When lake levels are low, you can see some of the town's foundations. If you put in the coordinates 31.922234,-97.343275 in Google Maps and scroll in real close, you can see some of those foundations.

Google Maps

There are several parks and a state park around Lake Whitney now. It could be a fun road trip to check out the lake and maybe throw in a scuba diving adventure while you're there. It would certainly make for some cool pictures or video.

READ MORE: It's Illegal and Dangerous to Take Pictures Using the Railroad in Texas