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History in
a Pecan Shell
Springs
were the main attraction to the area, even before the settlers arrived.
Indians would camp here and later, the U.S. Army would bivouac here
when it explored the area or went looking for Indians.
Robert E. Lee found time to chase Comanches in the area between
his stint in Mexico during the Mexican War and commanding the Southern
forces during the Civil War.
The actual springs are 6/10 of a mile northwest of the historical
marker on a private ranch. They form a pool about 40 ft across.
There are many indications of prehistoric visitors.
In Gunnar Brune's excellent Springs of Texas, he adds
a description of the springs from 1878 - including the story
of the Berry family who would load up their wagon with wash tubs and
dirty clothes and make the 10 mile trip to the springs. They'd boil
their clothes, eat lunch and let the clothes dry on the branches of
trees.
He goes on to relate how Comanches stole horses in the area
and how the springs were used for Baptisms. A schoolhouse was built
close to the springs and it became a meeting place for the settlers,
slowly evolving into a town.
One W.H. Camp settled here, but it was some time before the
community bore his name. The postmistress had a son with the rather
unusual name of Afra. The Handbook of Texas Online states
that: "Residents called their town Afra after the postmistresses son."
Perhaps it was a case of call it Afra or get late mail.
"They later called the town Camp Springs." (Maybe after Afra
moved away). The post office closed in the early 50s and in 1990 the
population was given as 10 persons. |
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Lee Farm in Camp
Springs
"My Uncle Charles Lee lives there." Charlene Beauchamp
Photo
Courtesy
Charlene Beatty Beauchamp, 2001 |
Historical Marker:
From Snyder take US 180 E. to FM 1614, turn N to near Camp Springs
Road.
Camp Springs
Named for W. H.
Camp, an early settler who built a dugout in 1878 at springs, one-half
mile northwest of here. Petrified trees—one 300 feet tall—and
bones of prehistoric animals have been found in area. Tools, pictographs
in nearby cave indicate Indians camped here. Emigrant trail to California,
blazed in 1849 by Army Captain R. B. Marcy, came through region. General
Robert E. Lee followed part of same trail searching for hostile Comanches
in 1856. Both men made camp at Green Springs, six miles southwest.
Post office was established, 1891.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967. |
Scurry
County 1920s map showing Camp Springs
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
© John
Troesser
Sources:
The Handbook of Texas Online
Springs of Texas Volume 1, 1981 by Gunner Brune
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Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
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landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
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