ESKOTA, TEXAS

Texas Ghost Town
Fisher County, Texas Panhandle

On Sweetwater Creek
Extreme SE Fisher County
1 mile N of the Nolan County Line
5 Miles from I-20 (Exit 251)
SE of R oby the county seat
10 Miles NE of Sweetwater
Roughly 20 Miles W of Abilene
Population: not known

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Approaching Eskota
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007

History in a Pecan Shell

Once the only town alongside the Texas and Pacific Railroad in Fisher County, Eskota's name may be Indian or may be Spanish. But everyone agrees that no one knows what it means.

It was to be known as Trent after local rancher Riley Trent, but the wrong sign was delivered and put to use. Riley Trent was remembered on the next stop east (see Trent, Texas). The post office opened in 1888 and as the only town with a railroad in Fisher County, it prospered – briefly.

A two-story hotel served train crews and passengers. The population was 50 in1947.

It remains on the railroad – presently the Missouri Pacific.

A closed store
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007
More Texas Stores

Eskota, Texas Forum

Subject: Eskota, Texas
The last business in Eskota was the general store, owned by my grandfather, C.B. Johnston. It was closed 1967 upon his death, and the contents were auctioned that summer. The post office closed in 1954. The only commerical buildings left standing are the old store and the old bank building. The hotel burned down in 1919, and the church was torn down in the 80's as it was unsound. The Eskota school was torn down in the late 40's after the war, and the bricks used to build the high school in Sweetwater. There are 4 houses remaining from Eskota's heyday still standing and in use.

Eskota Homecoming is held annually on the 1st Sunday in October at the site of the old Methodist Church. - Elaine Starkey, President, Eskota Homecoming Association, October 11, 2006

Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007

Photographer's Note:

Eskota was worth the drive. It is mostly the old house that T. Lindsay Baker showed in his book (More Ghost Towns of Texas). It hasn't changed all that much.
- Barclay Gibson, February 20, 2007

Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007

Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007

An outhouse
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007

Fisher County TX 1907 Postal Map showing Eskota
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

Take a road trip

Eskota, Texas Nearby Towns:
R oby the county seat
Sweetwater
Abilene
See Fisher County | Nolan County

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