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Billionaire John Poindexter Leads Push to Revive Ghost Town Shafter, Texas
By Drooid · · How we work
Reviving Shafter: Poindexter’s Vision
John Poindexter, an 81-year-old billionaire who owns roughly one-fifth of the historic center of Shafter, is spearheading an effort to restore the former silver-mining community. Poindexter, a frequent Republican voter, has publicly opposed illegal immigration, the federal border wall in nearby Big Bend National Park, and a proposal by an Australian firm to restart mining at the old Presidio Mine. He has also expressed difficulty accepting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as a viable U.S. Senate candidate.
Shafter’s Rise and Decline
Founded as a silver-mining hub, Shafter once hosted hundreds of workers, several saloons, a dance hall, a post office and a schoolhouse. The Presidio Mine supplied more than 90 percent of Texas’s silver output. By 1942, ore quality fell, water flooded lower levels, and a wartime miner shortage forced the mine’s closure. The town’s population dwindled, leaving about two dozen residents today, roughly 20 miles north of the Rio Grande.
High-Profile Gathering Over Labor Weekend
During Labor Day weekend, approximately 200 visitors arrived in Shafter, including local officials, two state legislators, a prominent Houston defense attorney, and a delegation from Ojinaga, Mexico. All were invited by Poindexter to discuss the town’s future. The gathering highlighted the contrast between Poindexer’s private-property-driven approach and the broader public-policy environment in West Texas, where roughly 95 percent of land is privately owned, according to Texas A&M researchers.
Broader Implications for West Texas
Poindexter’s initiative underscores how individual landowners can shape the fate of isolated communities in Texas. His stance on immigration, border infrastructure, and mining reflects a blend of economic interests and political positions that diverge from mainstream party lines. Observers note that the success of Shafter’s revival will depend less on state or federal policy and more on the decisions of owners like Poindexter, illustrating the outsized influence of private stakeholders in the region’s development.