As the calendar turns to October, thoughts and imaginations begin to wander and ponder on spookier things. Llano County has a rich, lengthy history and more than a few “ghost” tales to tell. Here are some Llano County haunts with spirited pasts. (By the way, not all of these sites are open to the public.)
Red Top Jail
400 Oatman St., Llano
Built in 1895 at the peak of Llano’s mining boom, the Red Top Jail was operational through the early 1980s. The thick granite structure housed jailers, their families, and prisoners all under its infamous red roof. A four-level gallows tower crowns the four-floored structure. The very top level has a platform with a trap door. The jail is one of the most infamous “haunted” buildings in the county. Many believe it’s still home to residents of a ghostly nature. The Red Top Jail is in the process of being restored.
Dabbs Railroad Hotel
112 E. Burnet St., Llano
Built in 1907, The Dabbs Railroad Hotel in Llano accommodated railroad travelers. Llano was the final rail stop heading west. Folks wishing to continue west often stayed overnight and then caught a stagecoach to continue their journey. For a brief time, the hotel served as a brothel in Llano’s older and wilder days. The hotel claims to have a variety of interesting clientele in its day, including “train robbers, gold and silver prospectors, miners, ranchers, lawmen, and outlaws.” Legend has it some guests might have remained or returned in ghostly form.
Baby Head cemetery, mountain, and community
Nine miles north of Llano on Texas 16 lies Baby Head Cemetery and nearby Babyhead Mountain (which is actually a hill). The once thriving Baby Head community is now a ghost town, literally, as the only remnant of the community is the cemetery. An oral tradition passed down through generations and the site’s Texas historical marker tell the tale of how the area got its name. The legend involved a young girl and kidnappers. It did not end well for the child, as one can discern from the name.
Texas Chain Saw House
Hooper’s restaurant, 1010 King Court, Kingsland
This charming, white farmhouse has a sinister past—well, a fictional sinister past. Known as he “Chain Saw House,” the structure was the house of horrors from the 1973 cult classic film “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.” While no evil deeds actually occurred in the house, its notorious fictional past can feed a fertile imagination. Today, the building is Hooper’s restaurant, which gives a nod to the movie’s director, Tobe Hooper. Visitors to Hooper’s will find movie memorabilia (and most definitely chain saws) displayed throughout the establishment.
Enchanted Rock
16710 RR 965, Fredericksburg
At roughly 1.1 billion years old, Enchanted Rock, the main star of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, has been the subject of legends for centuries. The imposing, granite dome was both revered and feared by Native Americans. Nighttime creaks and groans emitted from the batholith might make your hair stand on end, particularly after reading about its many legends involving sacrifices, spirits, and lost love.
Badu House
601 Bessemer Ave., Llano
Built in 1891 as First National Bank of Llano, the building became the home of Nicholas J. Badu and his family in 1898. The French mineralogist credited with kicking off Llano’s mining boom lived in the house until his death in 1936. Some say he remains there. Reports of many strange and unexplained happenings over the years have been attributed to Badu and several otherworldly tenants.
Haynie Hotel Building
101 W. Main St., Llano
Constructed in 1882 as the Haynie Hotel, the building was one of Llano’s first multilevel structures and housed quite a few businesses over the years. In the 1940s, its second floor served as a hospital. Reportedly, a young girl died while being treated, and her presence remains. Locals have told of seeing a child peering from the second-floor windows, hearing a child’s laughter, and feeling a “presence” when no one was around.
