Opdyke

Texas ghost towns run the full arc: cattle railheads, cotton towns the boll weevil broke, and oil booms that went bust.

Opdyke West (pronounced "Oh-Pih-Dyke") is a town in Hockley County, Texas, United States. The population was 220 at the 2020 census. It takes its name from the nearby community of Opdyke, founded in 1925, which was named either for Charles W. Opdyke, railroad director, or for the family of W. A. Dykes, who established the first gin in the area by 1937. Opdyke West was incorporated in 1984.

The on-the-ground condition of Opdyke is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Opdyke is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Opdyke is roughly 33.5933, -102.2989 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.