Ghost or Bust

Shafter Lake: West Texas History, The Lady in White & The Hollow-Eyed Children

In this episode, we travel to the windswept plains of West Texas to explore the forgotten ghost town of Shafter Lake, a once-thriving community that nearly became the heart of Andrews County. What began as an ambitious boomtown in the early 1900s eventually faded into history after losing a bitter county-seat battle to Andrews, leaving behind little more than a cemetery, scattered ruins, and a collection of chilling legends.

We begin with the early history of Andrews County and the rise of Shafter Lake. Founded in 1907, the town quickly grew to a population of roughly 500 residents, boasting churches, businesses, hotels, and dreams of becoming the region's dominant settlement. But after losing the 1910 county-seat election to Andrews, the town's fortunes collapsed and residents gradually abandoned it.

Then we venture into the darker side of Shafter Lake folklore.

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The Lady in White
Local legend claims a mysterious woman dressed in white wanders the old cemetery grounds near the ghost town. Witnesses have reported seeing her silently moving among the graves, while others believe she is connected to the tragedy and decline that befell the community. Some versions of the legend suggest she has been seen for generations, appearing without warning before vanishing into the darkness.

The Hollow-Eyed Children
One of the most disturbing stories associated with Shafter Lake centers on reports of ghostly children with empty eye sockets. According to local folklore, a devastating smallpox outbreak struck the isolated town in the early 1900s. Legends tell of a supposed herbal remedy that caused horrifying hallucinations, leading to tragedy among some residents. Paranormal tales claim the spirits of these children still roam the area, appearing after dark to unsuspecting visitors. While there is little historical evidence supporting the supernatural elements of the story, it has become one of West Texas's most enduring ghost legends.