Sterley, Texas: Exploring the Rise and Fall of a South Plains Ghost Town

Texas, Floyd County,

Sterley, located in northeastern Floyd County, Texas, began as a railroad town in the late 1920s. It was established as a stop along the Fort Worth and Denver South Plains Railway, built to connect Lubbock to the Red River and beyond. The town was named after W. F. Sterley, a general agent of the railway.

In December 1928, a post office was opened, which helped give the settlement permanence. A depot and a Harvey House restaurant served rail passengers, and soon after, businesses followed. A grocery store opened in 1934, and local ranchers used the community as a small hub.

Community Life in the Mid-20th Century

By 1948, Sterley supported a population of about 90 residents. At that time, the community had a post office, a school, two churches, railroad shops, and a handful of small businesses. Farming and ranching families in the area relied on Sterley for supplies and social gatherings.

Although small, the town was a recognized community center in Floyd County during the mid-century years.

Decline with the Railway

Sterley’s fortunes were tied closely to the railway. By the late 20th century, the Fort Worth and Denver line, later operated by Burlington Northern, began to see cutbacks. By 1989, large sections of the South Plains line had been abandoned, and rail service through Sterley ended.

Without the railroad, businesses closed, and residents left for larger towns such as Lockney and Plainview. The post office was discontinued (date not confirmed in available records), and the school also eventually closed.

Population Changes

Sterley’s population figures reflect its rise and fall:

1948: about 90 residents.
1980: about 75 residents.
1990: about 10 residents.

These numbers, drawn from the Handbook of Texas, show the steep decline after the railway’s disappearance.

Sterley Today

Today, Sterley is considered a ghost town. A few structures remain scattered along Farm Road 2286, roughly seven miles northeast of Lockney. Some private residences still exist, but the community is largely abandoned.

Key Facts about Sterley

Founded: 1927–28 with the arrival of the Fort Worth and Denver South Plains Railway.
Named for: W. F. Sterley, railway agent.
Post Office: Established in December 1928.
Population Peak: About 90 in 1948.
Decline: Railway abandonment by 1989 led to near-desertion.
Status Today: Classified as a ghost town in Floyd County.