Barstow, TX

Barstow is a small, peaceful West Texas community in Ward County with deep roots along the Pecos River. Founded in the late 1800s, it began as an ambitious desert farming oasis where canal irrigation produced award-winning grapes and fruit orchards. While a major flood in 1904 brought an end to the farming boom, that early frontier heritage remains part of the town's identity. Today, home to around 260 residents, it offers wide-open skies and a quiet, laid-back pace.

ATTRNicolas Henderson from Coppell, Texas / CC BY 2.0

Located just five miles east of Pecos along U.S. 80 and Farm Road 516, Barstow gives residents a quiet home base close to everyday necessities. Most locals make the short drive into Pecos for groceries, dining, and jobs, while families are served by the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Independent School District. For those looking for rural simplicity, Barstow provides a neighborly feel and plenty of room to breathe under the West Texas sun.