Hornsby Bend, Texas is one of the loneliest places in all of Texas. It’s located about 60 miles east of Lamesa in the Llano Estacado, or “Staked Plains” region. The population is fewer than 10 people and the crime rate is extremely low. So how did Hornsby become so isolated? The answer lies with a group of property owners who wanted to keep away the evil influences of outside society by building a small community within their own land. Here are 10 things you didn’t know about this mysterious town:
Hornsby Bend was originally called Elhi-nii
The town’s original name was Elhi-nii, which means “Where the goats sleep” in the Wichita language. A man named W. G. Morrison acquired the land in 1916, and it was eventually renamed Hornsby Bend in honor of his son, Jack. After World War II, the name was changed to Shannonville when the WPA-era highway department changed the name of the entire town. Browse this site
The residents of Hornsby Bend are all churchgoers
The town’s population is predominantly Christian, but other religions do exist. The church in the town is called Old Larned Church and was built in 1928. The pastor of the small congregation is Dr. Stephen Perry. Perry is a former physician for President George W. Bush. He is also the author of more than 20 books.
Federal agents used to live in the area as part of a sting operation
Hornsby Bend is not only one of the loneliest places in Texas, it’s also isolated from the rest of the world. To make sure that no outside influences could find their way into the community, agents used to live in the area. The program was part of a sting operation to capture child predators who would sneak into the town to meet their sexual partners.
Most of Hornsby’s inhabitants choose to walk to work
The population of Hornsby Bend is so small that most of the inhabitants walk to work. There is one paved road leading into the town, and anyone driving the road has to park and walk. There are also two dirt roads that wind their way into the town. Larned, the nearest town, is about a 20-minute drive from the center of town, but most people walk.
The town’s namesake is actually an animal from Africa that sounds like a goat
Hornsby Bend is one of the most unique towns in Texas. But the town’s namesake is actually an animal from Africa that sounds like a goat. The kudu is native to that region and can produce an eerie, chilled-out rumble. The call of the kudu is said to be the basis for the town’s namesake. Informative post
Hornsby Bend was originally a community for transient laborers
Before it was a tiny town of 10 people, Hornsby Bend was one of the most transient cities in the United States. The area was a natural outfitter for workers who traveled all over the country looking for work in logging camps and mines. The transient lifestyle led many to move to Hornsby Bend to avoid the harsh realities of life.
Hornsby Bend is located within the Llano Estacado, or “Staked Plains” region
Hornsby Bend is located about 60 miles east of Lamesa in the Llano Estacado, or “Staked Plains” region. The Llano Estacado is known for its extreme dryness, with the area receiving less than 13 inches of rain per year.
The “Staked Plains” region is known for its extreme dryness
The “Staked Plains” region is known for its extreme dryness. The area receives less than 13 inches of rain per year and is also prone to severe thunderstorms. The region is also home to the North American Desert, which is a naturally occurring desert.
The town is widely believed to be haunted
The town of Hornsby Bend is widely believed to be haunted. Residents and outsiders alike have reported hearing vocalizations, seeing shadows of people walking through walls, and feeling an unexplainable presence in the community. Some even think that the town’s namesake may be a ghost.
A local legend claims that the town’s name is a portmanteau of goats and horns
A local legend claims that the town’s name is a portmanteau of goats and horns. At one point, goats roamed the streets of Hornsby Bend, and residents would blow horns to scare them away. The horns sounded a lot like goats, and the two animals have since been linked by name.
A town-wide contest saw “Hornsby Bend” listed as the winning entry
The town-wide contest saw “Hornsby Bend” listed as the winning entry. Some of the other entries included “The Loneliest Town in Texas,” “Llano Estacado of Texas,” “Llano Estacado is Perfect for Haunting,” and “Llano Estacado is Perfect for Ghosts.” The town is still widely believed to be haunted and has been featured in paranormal documentaries and books.
A local legend claims that Hornsby Bend was once the location of a murder
A local legend claims that Hornsby Bend was once the location of a murder. The story goes that a woman came to the town to check out a job at a logging camp. While the woman was working at the camp, a man named Dicki Simpson came to the camp to commit the murder. It’s not clear whether he committed the murder or the woman did, but it’s widely believed to be a true story.
The town’s main intersection is named after a local legend
The town’s main intersection is named after a local legend. According to the story, a man came to town to make a deal with the devil. Unable to pay the full price for his soul, he offered the devil a part of his own body. The devil accepted the deal and gave the man a part of his anatomy that made him a local legend.
A man named W. G. Morrison acquired the land in 1916
A man named W. G. Morrison acquired the land in 1916. The name of the man’s son is Jack, and he was the namesake of Hornsby Bend. Morrison donated the land to the federal government in 1919, and it was eventually transformed into a railroad bed.
Hornsby Bend has been featured in numerous books and documentaries
Hornsby Bend has been featured in numerous books and documentaries. The town was even a setting in the 2013 movie “The Lone Ranger.” The town’s isolation and weird name have led many to believe that it’s the perfect place for paranormal activity.
The town’s name is believed to be a portmanteau of goats and horns
The town’s name is believed to be a portmanteau of goats and horns. Hornsby Bend is said to be the same sound as goats, and the two animals have since been linked by name. Some also think that it’s a portmanteau of horses and bells because the two animals once roamed the streets of the town.