Where Cars Meet Culture
Mar 15, 2025
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Chillicothe, Texas

6 years ago
1 min read

by Michael Satterfield 

As I crisscross the state of Texas I often pass through small towns where I just find myself having to pull off, take pictures and read the historic markers. This week I stopped off in a small West-Texas town just south of Oklahoma. In the largely abandoned downtown, I spotted H&H Automotive Service and I had to pull over to take some photos. The building was still being used it seemed to store broken cars and parts, in spite of the roof falling in and covering the Cadillac on jack stands.

Chillicothe, Texas is like a lot of small towns in middle-America, once a stop along the railway between Fort Worth and Denver, today the trains don’t stop and the nearest interstate is over 60 miles away, leaving much of the town abandoned. Even in its heyday in the 1930s the population was just over 1,600 and it has been declining ever since. Today just over 700 people call Chillicothe home and if you wanted to, a three-bedroom house can be bought for just under $15,000.

Sadly fewer people are interested in saving old buildings, old cars, and old communities. Getting back on the road to my own small town, I passed through dozens more sleepy towns just waiting for someone to come in and wake them up. 

Enjoy more photos below:

Michael Satterfield

Michael Satterfield, founder of The Gentleman Racer, is a storyteller, adventurer, and automotive expert whose work blends cars, travel, and culture. As a member of The Explorers Club, he brings a spirit of discovery to his work, whether uncovering forgotten racing history or embarking on global expeditions. His site has become a go-to destination for car enthusiasts and style aficionados, known for its compelling storytelling and unique perspective. A Texan with a passion for classic cars and motorsports, Michael is also a hands-on restorer, currently working on a 1960s SCCA-spec Formula Super Vee and other project cars. As the head of the Satterfield Group, he consults on branding and marketing for top automotive and lifestyle brands, bringing his deep industry knowledge to every project.

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