MERCURY, TEXAS

Texas Ghost Town
McCulloch County, Texas Hill Country

31° 24' 45" N, 99° 9' 27" W (31.4125, -99.1575)
FM 502
22 Miles NE of Brady the county seat
Population: 166 est. (2000)
(where it has remained since 1988)

Book Hotel Here › Brady Hotels

Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2007

History in a Pecan shell

Founded in 1904 shortly after the arrival of the Fort Worth and Rio Grande railroad when the stop became a cattle-shipping point. Within ten years Mercury had a population of 550 (the highest it would ever reach), two banks and two general stores.

Mercury suffered two terrible fires. The first was in 1919 and the second ten years later. The town might've recovered in time, but the Mercury post office closed in the 30s and then in 1938 the town was by-passed by the new Brownwood-Brady highway. The final nail was driven in the town's coffin when Mercury's schools consolidated with Rochelle's school district in the late 40s. The population declined accordingly.

From its peak of 550 in 1914, it dropped to 489 in 1933 and then to166 residents by 1988.

Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2007

MERCURY, TEXAS

By David Knape

This is no perjury
we found little Mercury,
but not in outer space

Where else but in Texas
would it be,
and certainly that's the case

This town called Mercury
lives quietly in harmony,
but sadly its die is cast

Best take a chance
tour Mercury while it lasts,
cause it may be goin' fast.

© d.knape

Cover canceled with 1933 Mercury postmark
Courtesy The John J. Germann Collection

McCulloch County 1907 Postal Map showing Mercury (NE of Rochelle & Brady)
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

Take a road trip

Mercury, Texas Nearby Towns:
Brady the county seat
See McCulloch County

Texas Hill Country

Book Hotel Here:
Brady Hotels | More Hotels

Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, landmarks and vintage or recent photos, please contact us.