On my way back to my parent’s house in Wichita Falls, TX from Midland, TX, I’ve passed this abandoned house many times. I’ve always wanted to stop and get some pictures. But this time, I noticed a large, brick building in the trees. How I’ve never seen it before, I’ll never know. When I headed back home to Midland, I decided to stop and take some pictures.
This is the town of Bomarton, TX. This was probably the school. It’s really large considering the town’s size now, which I would guess would be in the teens. It was really cool walking around and trying to re-invision the past while snapping photos.
They had some really interesting designs. The front even had a curved ceiling, which I’m guessing was the entrance. It’s hard to imagine people actually filling this building.
Next up, and right across the highway, was a church that I’d seen the steeple sticking out of the trees whenever I would come back home. I decided to hop the highway and check it out. I’m glad I did. Turns out, it’s the St. John Catholic Church. It was built in 1936 and is no longer in use, but open to the public (Yay!). I love a place where I don’t have to “break in” to get some good pictures.
The inside was in pretty good condition. The floors were extremely creaky, which gives it the kind of creepy feeling I love.
There was a balcony in the back that had a ladder built into the wall for climbing up into the steeple. I figured I would give it a shot. I did stop right when the ladder turned into the wood steps. It didn’t feel too sturdy, and I didn’t want to risk falling to the ground if one broke. I’d sure hate to hurt my camera.
I did get this shot of the stained glass window that’s on the third story of the church.
I didn’t see any cars, other than the ones flying by on the highway, so it’s a pretty quiet town. The church had a clipboard for visitors to sign. The last person that visited was there 5 days before I was there, which was kind of surprising, not to mention the fact that he was from Big Spring, TX (close to Midland).
I might stop here again to see how much farther I can go up the steeple. I know, I know. It’s dangerous. It might be worth it.
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I was born in 1949 and spent the first 10 years of my life in Bomarton (already a ghost town at that point). My brothers and sisters all went to school in Bomarton. I went to school in Seymour but remember the old Bomarton schoolhouse as having a skating rink in the old gym. They rented it out for partiies and reunions. My nephew actually bought the Catholic church there. Your pictures are amazing. My brorther (formerly of Midland) currently works the family farm in Bomarton.
That's very interesting about the skating rink! Who would've thought? Thanks for commenting.
We had family reunions there every year when I was a little girl and everyone that skate would spend most of Saturday skating. I believe we stopped having them at the school around 1976 or 1977.
Be real careful of Snakes when looking around Bomarton. Owen and I had some good times growing up there. So sorry about Owen. Walt McCauley
I remember in the 1980’s we’d play volleyball in the gym and it was in decent condition. My friend and his family still farm and live outside of Bomarton. The children in Bomarton community farms are all bussed to Seymour Tx for school. It’s in bad shape now as there was no upkeep once they joined the Seymour school system. Only local farmers live in the vicinity now and those who work nearby. I’m 53 now and it is 2019 so there won’t be much of a trace in the next 20 years and the vacant Catholic Church is the only decent condition building nowadays.
I remember skating in the old gym. I went to the Bomarton School for seven years. After the eighth grade were all were consolidated with the Seymour School District. Does anyone have a school annuual with the 1936 graduating clsss in it. My Cousin is trying to find more about her Mother's schooling in Bomarton. Her name was Clara Imogen Snyder.
I also remember skating in the old gym. I graduated from the eighth grade there. We were consolidated with the Seymour School District after that. Does anyone have any old school annuals that would have the class of 1936 in it? My cousin's Mother was in that class we think. The class ring has a B on it and an Eagle. As far as going in that old Church there is no way. It is full of rattle snakes.
Opp didn't know the first comment went through. Sorry.
Oh yes, I spent all but my Senior year in this school. The years following my mother was "keeper of the keys" to the building when anyone used the skating rink (The old gym floor). Lots of memories here, and thats all thats left.
Sue,
My sister and I are planning on visiting Bomarton and Seymour, mostly because we have never been through there and we now are living in Texas. Our Grandmother, Jeannetta Inez and Great Uncle, James Holmes Chambless were both born there.
We are trying to trace some family history, would you have any ideas of where we can search?
Is there anything left of Bomarton other then the church?
I am Sue Halls brother, C. Wayne Bartos, and there are no business buildings left--all destroyed! We are having a homecoming Saturday, july 15, 2017 in Seymour. Come, I have so interesting history to see and hear. Contact tim@orsakadventures.com or 940-889-8466.
I just saw this post, I'm so sorry we missed it. I'm Sue Crisp sister, Tammi. We did visit there in October, almost got our car stuck in the mud on a little road near Cache Creek cemetery. Met many very friendly people there. Stopped by the visitors center/ museum, I don't remember the gentleman's name, but he knew the Bartos family well. I have a copy of Salt Pork to Sirloin, volume 2, I was hoping to pick up volume 1, but was disappointed that they were not hard bound, so I will look on line. I ope the reunion went well and would love to hear about it.
I'd still like to hear about how Seymour was and more of it's history. I'm on Ancestry. I had an email or letter from your sister Sue about a decade ago. Is she still interested in ancestry?
Hope to hear back.
Tammi
Hi Tammi, finding this several years later, 2022. Uncle Wayne has passed but Sue (my mom) is well and in assisted living, and her younger sister Dana is very vibrant and in Georgia. I will pass along any questions you might have. I remember the Salt Pork to Sirloin books.
My mother's name was Faye Chambless and my grandfather and grandmother's name was Tom and Jemmie Chambless. Your grandfather was my grandfather's brother. I remember him. They came through Seymour driving when he was around 90. I live in Seymour and we also now own the Butler house across from the Catholic Church. Would love for you to look me up when and if you come to Seymour.
Everytime I pass by that red brick house, I always want to stop. Finally did today and got some pictures. That house in the second picture, is that the Butler house? I'm so curious about it. It just draws me in everytime I pass it. Beautiful beautiful
The abandoned house you referred to is still beautiful. When I see these abandoned properties, I so wander about the history, the t'givings, christmas mornings. I can always hear the children playing. Maybe the husbands nights spent in the barn.
Thanks for sharing this! My grandfather lived in a tiny house right across from the old school. He passed away in the 1980's and all that remains of the house are a few stones and pieces of metal. When I would visit back then, the school still had a roof. I remember playing in and around it. I actually just stopped there this past weekend on a trip through the area and was amazed to see how much it had deteriorated. Also, someone seems to have bought the tiny plot of land around it and is prepping it for use. I sure hope they don't remove the building remains....
--Robert
Robert: I also hope they don't remove the buildings. In fact, this is one of the rare buildings that has no graffiti on it. They need to put up a sign giving some history.
Sorry guys but I'm sad to say they did tear down the old school house my dad went there when he was a kid an now layed to rest in bomarton cemitary sorry bout the spelling but it is still cool to go drive around out there
Robert that is very interesting about your grandfathers house...and did he have a dog? I ask for a very interesting reason.....and as a kid about 20yrs ago (before the school was destroyed completely) I used to play around that property and the schoolhouse across the street when I would stay the summers with my grandparents who lived very close to the property...just a few properties down the road... and to sue Barton hall did your mother live near the school ? Mrs mc cally ? doubt i spelled that right...but anyhow she had keys to the property back then and let me play basketball there...at that age 10-preteen that was kind of a spooky place to play in an abandoned school alone.
I grew up in Bomarton and it was a wonderful place back in the 1950,s. Our home is still there and I like to go back there as often as I can. It is too bad that someone burned the school. I have said that Bomarton was where the world stopped.