Stiles

Stiles is a ghost town in Reagan County, Texas, roughly 18 miles north of Big Lake. Its brief moment of significance came in 1903, when Reagan County was organized and Stiles — the only established town in the area at the time — became the county seat by default.

Two developments sealed its decline. The railroad never came through, leaving Stiles without the economic lifeline that kept so many West Texas towns alive. Then oil was discovered near Big Lake, shifting population and commerce southward. By 1925, Big Lake had taken over as the county seat, and Stiles faded into the sparse landscape.

Today Stiles is a quiet, largely empty spot with little infrastructure for visitors. Those who make the drive will find a remote rural setting rather than a preserved historic district. It suits photographers and history-minded travelers drawn to forgotten corners of Texas more than it suits those looking for developed attractions.