Nix is a ghost town that was first settled in the early 1880's. It's population peaked in 1896 with a whopping 27 people! The only other population info I found was on wiki stating that in 2000, the population was at 6. I find that fascinating. What keeps people around? But what really drew me to Nix was a few photos I found online of the town's store/gas station. complete with pumps and an old coupe out front. I just had to see for myself.
One lonely gas pump still on site
This ghost town will show up on google maps. And if you are coming from Lampasas, the town is about a 12 mile drive on 580. You will come upon a small cluster of homes and dirt roads. Gas station is on the right. Most of the photos I saw dated back to 2004 or so. Unfortunately the store is no longer open, and the coupe and all but one pump have disappeared. But I was still excited to see that the building was up with the pump and the old signs up top.
The store as it stands today. Sept 2016
I don't know when the store closed up, but the place didn't look too out of shape. A peak into the dusty windows showed a counter and goods still inside. Hopeful for a future rebirth. As I walked up, the only sounds around were of insects and the odd car driving down 580 from neighboring farms. A lazy cat greeted us on the front porch, he was taking a nap under one of the chairs. He eventually got up and slowly walked across the road to a wooden home in the distance. A bit annoyed we came across his napping spot.
The last remaining gas station attendant was annoyed we woke him from his nap
If you are around the Austin area, this stop is worth the quick detour. You never know how much longer it's going to be around.
Inside the of the old gas pump. looks to have been repaired at one time
Building still stands, but no longer in service