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History in
a Pecan ShellSettlement
began in the late 1830s when the Warren Dalby family moved here and discovered
springs on their property. Later, when the waters were discovered to have medicinal
properties, it created a boom. In the 1850s, housing was built for those seeking
health, and in 1860 a post office was granted.
The community peaked in
the mid 1880s when it reached 250. By 1900 it had fallen below 200 and while it
remained there for decades, by the 1950s it had fallen to a mere 50 residents.
It
reached a low of just 60 in the mid 1980s which has increased to 141 for the 2000
census. |
The 1839 Dalby Springs Methodist
Church
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, 2009 |
Historical
Marker TextDalby
Springs Methodist ChurchBuilt
of knotless pine lumber in 1888. First house of worship built by congregation
who had been worshipping since 1839 in homes, groves and school. During this time
the town of Dalby Springs emerged from farmland and grew into a summer health
spa.
Recorded
Texas Historic Landmark - 1966 |
1907
Bowie County Postal map showing Dalby Springs
(Below
"B" in "B-O-W-I-E", near Red River County line.)
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
Dalby Springs,
Texas Forum"We
lived about 2 miles from Dalby Springs in the early 50s. There is quite a history.
When we lived there, there was one water well that you could still get water from,
and a small store / gas station. The water from the well was dark red. It didn't
smell very good. If you put the water in a glass jug, over time the inside of
the jug would turn a dark rusty color. I guess it was from sulfur in the water
or another mineral. They stuck oil about 1950-52 about three miles south-south
east of Dalby Springs. It was a low grade crude oil. Dad said it was a paraffin-base
oil. About two miles west of Dalby Spring is an artisan water well. It is still
running good water. I have drank from it several times." - Jesse Suttles, April
10, 2012 |
Photographer's
Note:
Dalby Springs is featured in T. Lindsay Baker 's 'More Ghost Towns
of Texas.' - Barclay
Gibson, August 2010
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history and vintage/historic
photos of their town, please contact
us. |
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