Ojo de Veranda: A Historic Ghost Settlement in Presidio County, Texas

Ojo de Veranda was a small settlement in eastern Presidio County, Texas. It was located near the historic community of San Esteban and just south of the present-day town of Marfa. The settlement was already in existence by 1876 and is noted in early county records as one of the named places in the region.

Community Characteristics
Ojo de Veranda never developed into an incorporated town and did not have a post office. Its presence is recorded in historical references as a rural locality rather than a functioning town center. Like many scattered communities of the Trans-Pecos region during the late nineteenth century, it likely consisted of a small cluster of activity tied to ranching or agriculture, though specific details about dwellings, families, or structures are not documented in the standard references.

Decline and Present Status
By the twentieth century, Ojo de Veranda had ceased to exist as a community. It was abandoned, and today it no longer appears on modern maps of Texas. Its status is generally classified as a ghost settlement.

Historical Significance

• Documented by 1876: Ojo de Veranda was recognized as an established place in Presidio County records as early as 1876.

• Never incorporated: The community lacked formal civic institutions and had no post office, distinguishing it from other nearby towns that developed into lasting municipalities.

• Now abandoned: By the mid-1900s it had disappeared from maps, leaving only historical references to mark its existence.