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Cat
Spring's Crossroads Store
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History
in a Pecan Shell
Cat Spring dates from 1834 and like Frelsburg,
was settled by Germans from Westphalia
and Oldenburg.
The name comes from an encounter the son of the town's founder had
with a large wild cat near a spring.
The town was granted a post office in 1878.
The population has slowly decreased from its robust start of 350 people
in 1836. Currently there are only about 75 people, the store at the
crossroads one mile north, the post office and tractor graveyard.
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One
of the few remaining German-constructed Austin County dance halls
in the area
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The large building just west of the Crossroads is one of the few remaining
German-constructed Austin County Dancehalls. It is frequently used
for seasonal antique shows.
Another of these buildings sits just East of the railroad tracks off
159 in Bellville.
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The
Cat Spring Post Office
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Cistern
in Cat Spring
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Cat Spring,
Texas Forum
Subject: Dance
Hall of Austin County
Hello, I'm sure readers have already mentioned that the Cat Spring
and Bellville Turnvereins or dance halls are twelve sided, not octagonal.
I think there are six such dance halls in Austin County, either octagonal
or twelve sided, that are still in use. Two in the Bellville
area, one in Cat Spring, one in Sealy,
one in Peters and one in Wallis. Information taken from Dance Halls
of Austin County, Copyright 1993. Published by the Austin County Historical
Commission in Bellville, TX. Enjoy the web site. - Sincerely, Marilyn
Stellberg, September 20, 2005
© John Troesser |
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