The East Texas Weekend Preview — In the late 1880’s, there existed a bustling town deep within the piney woods that struck it rich in iron!
This community came to be known as New Birmingham.
Throughout their booming period, there was an influx of citizens, businesses and prosperity. One key milestone of the town was the establishment of the Southern Hotel. A revolutionary lodge, full of amenities not found anywhere in East Texas.
While the furnaces were flowing with production, their efforts would soon run dry due to financial miscalculations and devestating drama between investors in the industry. Within 20yrs of the boom.... the “Iron Queen of the Southwest” would start to be deserted into a ghost town.
Today, you can find these remnants right along Hwy 69 as you pull south out of Rusk. Just look to the right for the historical marker, right past Isaacs Wrecker Service.
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When you arrive, if you look behind the marker you will notice a roughly cut trail from foot traffic over the generations. As you follow the unofficial path, you will soon find the left behind pieces of the old furnaces and foundry from New Birmingham.
Our favorite thing we saw was the huge water cistern, found just past the many old, brick walls. Here, you can take a gander at this giant hole in the ground from the safety of a constructed chain-link fence. This thing is massive!
There is just something so mysterious and magical about being among the pines, while admiring these East Texas relics. Get out there and embark on your own lost city adventure this weekend!
Also, to learn more about New Birmingham, and the Southern Hotel, be sure to stop by downtown Rusk’s Heritage Center of Cherokee County.
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