SPRINGLAKE, TEXAS

History in a Pecan Shell

Springlake began in 1908 when the Halsell Cattle Company sold land to the George C. Wright Land Company. George Wright immediately went to work opening a store, building a hotel and getting a post office.

Wright borrowed the name for the future town from the XIT Ranch – Springlake being the name of one of the huge ranch’s divisions which had held a post office under that name (1889 to 1901).

In 1910 Lamb County held an election to decide the county seat. Springlake lost the race to Olton by a single vote. In 1927 the physical town of Springlake relocated, leaving behind its first cemetery.

A grain elevator and flour mill were opened in the 1930s, enhancing what had been a rather barren landscape. Although earlier figures aren’t available, Springlake had a population of 250 for the 1950 census, its high water-mark.

A slow decline set in and by the 1990s it was down to 131 residents. The 2000 count added four people to that number.

Take a road trip