Earlier in the morning we visited the Terlingua Ghost Town. Terlingua’s history is deeply intertwined with its mining legacy, particularly in quicksilver, or mercury. The town experienced a boom in the early 20th century due to the discovery of valuable cinnabar deposits, leading to a thriving mining industry. At its peak, Terlingua boasted a population of over 2,000 residents and was one of the largest mercury producers in the world. However, by the mid-1900s, declining demand and depleted resources caused the mines to shut down, leading to a mass exodus of inhabitants and leaving behind the remnants of a once-prosperous town.

Life in Terlingua was undoubtedly challenging for its early inhabitants, but for many, it offered a refuge from the turmoil they had experienced elsewhere. Most of these early settlers were Mexican immigrants who had fled civil war, economic hardship, and political instability in their homeland. In comparison to the conditions they faced in Mexico, Terlingua provided basic necessities such as running water, access to a well-stocked commissary, and, most importantly, stable employment opportunities that offered reliable wages. In other words, not bad!

Before reaching San Antonio, we made a stop in Boerne, situated 30 miles (or 48 km) west of San Antonio. Established by German immigrants in the 19th century, it proudly preserves its German heritage, reflected in its architecture, festivals, and culinary traditions. Additionally, Boerne finds itself at the center of the upcoming solar eclipse on Monday. While I haven’t yet finalized my plans for where to view the eclipse, I wanted to explore this town firsthand before deciding.