How Can A Ghost Town Still Be Living? You Should Meet Texola.

Off of I-40, the landscape is dotted with once thriving towns. Many are now abandoned, earning the title of ghost town. But what do you call a ghost town that's still alive?

You call it, Texola.

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By Alive, We Don't Mean Thriving

Merely existing would be a better way to put it, and there's nothing wrong with that. Texola is by no means a bustling metropolis. There aren't new industries clamoring to set up shop there.

Texola has gone by different names. It was Texoma and Texokla for a bit before settling into the name Texola. It's the last town on Route 66 in Oklahoma before you cross the Texas line.

The population as of 2010 was 36. That was down from 47 in 2000.

Even though there are 36 people, as of 2010, who call it home, Texola still gets referred to as a ghost town.

There's Still A Little Bit Going On In Texola

Texola isn't without its charm, as small as it may be. Sure, there are the abandoned buildings that would lead you to believe that this town had been forgotten.

There's more to it than that.

First of all, you have the Tumbleweed and Water Hole #2. Legends say that these are housed in the oldest building on Route 66 operating as a restaurant.

The Must See Texola Jail

There's a jail in Texola. It's one room, with one door, and one window.

The jail is tiny, and is a popular spot to snag a photo if you're a Route 66 enthusiast. Imagining being stuck in that hot box on a western Oklahoma summer day gives me anxiety.

No Place Like Texola Bar

There's a bar in Texola that has the words, "No Place Like Texola" painted on the side of the building. It's another big point of interest for those traveling along the Mother Road.

It even features an old rusty pickup truck outside with Route 66 emblazoned on the side.

The Legendary Magnolia Service Station

The Magnolia Service Station is actually listed in the National Register of Historic Places. When it first opened it had a sleek, modern design for the time. With the Mother Road passing through, it was a busy spot.

Now, it's a crumbling husk of days gone by.

Marker And Shield

Texola was actually one of the places that hosted a dedication ceremony when Route 66 was rededicated as the Will Rogers Highway. There's a marker that details the event, and a Route 66 shield is painted on the road nearby.

There's Still Signs Of Life And Plenty To See

There's a nice looking Baptist church in Texola.

There are also some nice looking properties. Then, there's whatever the hell this is...

Kinda creepy.

No matter how you slice it, Texola may not be much on the map, but it is far from being a ghost town. You could say it's just living on the edge.