Taiban, New Mexico, is known for its picturesque abandoned Presbyterian Church. The meaning of Taiban is vague, but may be related to a Comanche word for horsetail, referring to either a local plant found in the stream of that name. The town was founded in 19-6 as a stop on the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad and by 1909, the population peaked at 400 residents. The church was constructed in 1908. Droughts and the Depression hit the town and by 1930, most of the families left. The town declined and by 1960 only one business remained along with a few homes.
Today, only this abandoned church and a few other buildings stand as lonely reminders of days long past.

Most of the information about the town came from http://elchuqueno.com/city-of-dust-taiban-new-mexico/