Photos: Mark Cuban Owns the Ghost Town of Mustang, Texas

^{This text initially appeared on Business Insider.}

I lately realized that Mark Cuban, the billionaire and former proprietor of the Dallas Mavericks NBA staff, purchased a complete “ghost city'” known as Mustang for about $2 million in 2021.

Mustang is about an hour away from the a part of Dallas I stay in. However till now, I had by no means come throughout it — and nearly no one in my circles had, both.

The Census experiences that Mustang’s population is zero, so possibly that is sensible.

Usually, I might file away this newfound information within the recesses of my thoughts — an uncommon story I might later impress my pals with over espresso or dinner.

However my curiosity refused to wane.

Quite a few questions crowded my ideas: Why would somebody be all for shopping for a city with out individuals? Is it genuinely deserted? What is perhaps value saving there?

I even reached out to Cuban by e-mail to get some solutions. He had little to say about it.

“I purchased it to assist out a basketball buddy who was dying of most cancers, he wanted it for his household,” Cuban, who Forbes stated has a $6.2 billion net worth, informed me. “I’ve zero plans for it, I have not ever been there.”

I did some studying. NBC Information, who spoke with Mike Turner, a real-estate agent who brokered the deal, stated that Cuban purchased Mustang from the principal owner, Marty Price, a Dallas legal professional and a loyal Mavericks season-ticket holder. The New York Instances reported the rationale: Worth, who died in August 2021, apparently did not need to leave his wife and children a hard-to-maintain ghost town.

I wished to know extra, however Turner did not name me again.

In such moments, a saying usually involves thoughts, “The remedy for ignorance is curiosity.”

So I went to Mustang. Sure, I hopped into my automobile, opened up Google Maps, and drove from my downtown Dallas house to a distant city that wasn’t even on my radar till final week.

Here is what I discovered.

Mustang is roughly an hour’s drive south of Dallas, a serious metropolis filled with buildings — even its suburbs are dense. However Mustang is surrounded by roads with no buildings.

^{A again street in Angus, the city that neighbors Mustang. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

In rural Texas, you usually see giant, open pastures with cows and horses. Once I acquired near Mustang, I wasn’t stunned to see cattle ranches lining the roads.

Cows graze on a few of the undeveloped land close to Mustang. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider

As I exited Interstate 45 and neared Mustang, I used to be excited to see a freeway signal pointing towards the city. I assumed I have to be shut.

^{Freeway signal for Mustang and Angus. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

The thrill turned to confusion as I drove round for half-hour. I could not pinpoint the place Mustang and the adjoining city, Angus, started. Angus has 458 individuals, whereas, in response to the newest Census, Mustang has zero.

Google Maps screenshot of Mustang and Angus. Google Maps

Supply: US Census Bureau

I attempted driving down the few roads Google Maps has marked. They have been unpaved, and I noticed knocked-down indicators and warnings to remain away. I noticed a number of homes, however no individuals.

^{This signal felt like a metaphor for my quest. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

Feeling annoyed, I requested a person engaged on the facet of the street for instructions to Mustang. He additionally had no concept however really helpful testing Stuckey’s, a longtime gasoline station and comfort retailer in Angus. However even the shop’s clerk hadn’t heard of Mustang.

^{Stuckey’s, a gasoline station in Angus. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

I subsequent approached the cashier at a grocery retailer in Angus, who was conscious of Mustang. Victory! However all she might inform me was that it was abandoned, with its most notable options being a now-demolished strip membership and a hearth station.

^{The grocery retailer in Angus the place I requested for instructions. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

At this level, I used to be determined. I confirmed up at Angus’ metropolis corridor unannounced. Authorities officers would have solutions, proper?

^{Angus’ hearth station and metropolis corridor are in the identical constructing. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

On the metropolis corridor, I met Trina Kelley, a secretary who didn’t share her age — and refused to let me take her image — however stated she has lived in Angus since she was 9 years outdated.

^{The register entrance of Angus’ metropolis corridor. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

Kelley — who appeared elated to have somebody to speak to — gave me the lowdown on each Angus and Mustang and confirmed me this map of the better Angus space.

^{A map of Angus and Mustang. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

Kelley stated Mustang is the world labeled Mustang Courts, about 75 acres in the midst of Angus

^{A detailed-up of a map of Angus and Mustang. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

Kelley defined that Mustang was initially part of Angus however was disannexed in July 1973 as a result of Mustang locals wished the liberty to promote liquor, which Angus did not permit on the time.

^{An outdated signal for town of Mustang. This photograph is from 2006. LM Otero/Related Press}

In 2006, the Related Press described Mustang as “carved from a pasture in 1973 to promote alcohol so a beer run was now not a 60-mile drive to Dallas.” The city was “broke, withering and all the way down to about 50 residents,” the AP reported.

Kelley stated that the 2 cities turned impartial entities a number of days after the disannexation.

^{A photograph of Aubrey Smith, the mayor of Angus throughout Mustang’s disannexation. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

The 2006 Related Press story described Mustang as having “two dusty streets, a strip club, a boarded-up nation western bar, one trash bin and a dilapidated trailer park the place your entire inhabitants lives.” It additionally had a shed for Mustang’s volunteer fire department, the Dallas Morning Information reported.

Information experiences say that just about every part has since been razed.

I could not discover the strip membership, Wispers Cabaret, which the Independent reported closed after “a 2008 murder wherein a clubgoer was overwhelmed to demise that made headlines throughout the state.”

Kelley stated Mustang has remained desolate for a few years, by no means actually sustaining a considerable variety of residents or buildings.

^{Mustang has been available on the market a number of instances in its historical past. This for-sale signal is from 2006. LM Otero/Related Press}

Earlier than Cuban purchased Mustang, it had been on and off the market since 2017.

Kelley stated there’s now nothing there, including that Cuban lately agreed to let Angus hold its new hearth truck on Mustang land.

^{Mark Cuban is a longtime investor on “Shark Tank.” Christopher Willard/Getty Photos}

Armed with Kelley’s data and a brand new perspective on the map, I hit the street once more to attempt to see Mustang for myself. I handed Angus’ water tower for the fourth time.

^{Freeway indicators. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

On the drive to Mustang, I noticed a number of “hold out” indicators. What higher strategy to know you are within the South?

^{A “hold out” signal on a property in Angus. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

I assumed my tires would burst driving down the unpaved nation roads, however I made it. Behold: The sprawling patch of land that’s Mustang.

^{I lastly discovered Mustang — and it was completely empty. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

Just a few Angus properties encompass the Mustang land, together with this quaint home listed for $220,000.

^{A house on the market in Angus close to Mustang. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

Supply: Zillow

The world’s properties are principally ranch-style or manufactured, with agricultural tools in sheds outdoors and American and/or Texas flags flying out entrance.

^{Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

Earlier than heading dwelling, I made a decision to take a look at a close-by vineyard. I did not know this a part of Texas was recognized for rising grapes.

^{An indication pointing to the Angelita Vineyard. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

I parked on the facet of the street to take a look at some horses. One particularly gazed at me, nearly as if it might sense I wasn’t from round right here.

^{Horses on a ranch close to the vineyard. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

I reached the vineyard, however sadly, it was closed. Simply my luck. I nonetheless loved its basic farmhouse-style structure.

^{The doorway to Angelita Vineyard. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

I briefly stepped out of my automobile to admire the winery, however upon noticing a large canine, I promptly hopped again in. Glancing in my rearview mirror, I might see it chasing my automobile.

^{Angelita Vineyard. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

Whereas returning to Dallas, I considered what I had seen and realized about Mustang.

^{A freeway signal for Dallas. Alcynna Lloyd/Enterprise Insider}

Whereas I did not uncover something extraordinary, I discovered a unusual little metropolis nearly forgotten to time if not for a billionaire’s efforts.

^{A road signal from certainly one of Mustang’s few roads is already dilapidated on this 2006 photograph. The signal was not there once I visited in January 2024. LM Otero/Related Press}

It jogged my memory that there’s hidden historical past like this throughout Texas. Generally, you simply need to work a bit of tougher to search out it.

^{A firefighter from Mustang’s now-disbanded hearth division in a 2006 photograph. LM Otero/Related Press}