| It was the ring of a railroad man's
sledge hammer that first broke the stillness of the pine forest where Old
Town Sprig stands today. According to the story, the men were weary from
the ide, sleet and freezing rain of one of the worst winters in Texas history
and were so joyous at the approaching warmth of spring that they affectionately
dubbed their new camp "Camp Spring."
The erection of a roundhouse and railroad station near the junction located at Camp Spring were the official beginnings of the thriving town that was to be known one day simply as Spring, Texas. It was not long before farmers ventured onto the fertile lands surrounding the little railroad settlement and brought forth crops such as potatoes, corn and cotton. The building that now houses the public restrooms is a replica of an old seed potato house. By 1899, the wealth in densely wooded land was recognized and a lumber mill was built. The original structure of the old mill building remains standing today as testimony to the expanding economy Spring enjoyed near the end of the last century. It's located just northeast of Spring on Aldine-Westfield Road. By the 1900 S the tedious, backbreaking work of the then more than 200 railroad men in Spring gave way to the development of various places of amusement and entertainment. At its peak as many as five saloons and a gambling hall graced the tiny town's dusty streets assuring the opportunity for barroom brawls, hard drinking and carousing in general. It was not a place where a proper young lady of that time would be seen, at least not on Saturday nights. Bullet holes in the old bank building today give mute testimony to the wild and woolly days. There is even evidence that the infamous Bonnie and Clyde included Spring on their trail of lawlessness. But things eventually settled down and respectably family homes, many standing today, were built and the citizenry put down its roots. The saloons dried up with Prohibition and the bank folded under the weight of the Great Depression. The round-house was moved, and the railroad men followed. All of the saloons, save one - The Wunsche Bros Café & Saloon, - are now but a memory. But the past still lives in the fine homes and quaint cottages which have been restored and serve today as homes for a variety of charming boutiques, galleries, antiques and collectibles. The shop owners enjoy a common bond in their desire to preserve the charm of Old Town Spring and create a unique shopping area which tody draws interest and shoppers from throughout the state. Locals and tourists alike regard it a treat to walk the shady streets among the towering pecan and sycamore trees and browse among the more than 180 shops which feature everything from fuzzy teddy bears and beanie babies to fine antiques and collectibles. Unique dining experiences also await
in Spring where one can munch an old fashioned hamburger at an authentically
restored saloon or sample an exquisite crepe served on fine china. So take
a step back in time and experience a real shopping treat as a bonus. Visit
Old Town Spring. You'll want to come back again and again.
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