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History
in a Pecan Shell
Originally named Arkansas, Texas, by storekeeper J. Smith, a post
office was granted in the late 1890s. The townspeople may have convinced
Smith that Arkansas wasn't a proper name for a town in Texas,
but at any rate the name was changed and named after a twist in the
(Clear Fork of the Brazos) river.
The town had a brief oil boom in the 20s. But in 1929 when one well
came in with mineral water - it seemed to clear up rashs on the bodies
of Mexican laborers. Mr. Stoval decided to use what nature had given
him and opened up a spa (and skeet shooting range). The resort of
Stovall Hot Wells remained in operation until a fire destroyed it
in 1994.*
The population was 500 just prior to WWII,
but South Bend suffered the same post war decrease as many small towns
and by 1980 there were only 100 residents.
*From
Taking
the Waters in Texas by Janet Mace Valenza, UT Press, 2000
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| This
old motel court sits just west of the intersection of SR-67 and FM-701
in Young County. - Photo courtesy Noel
Kerns, September 2007 |
South Bend
Texas Forum
Subject:
South Bend, Texas
I am sharing my memories from South Bend, Texas. My grandfather
was Mr. Jesse T. Dunn who passed away in May of 1968. He lived in
a house he built himself. I am not sure where exactly the correct
location is, all I know is my Aunt has told me it is beside a church.
I was only 4 years old when my granddaddy passed away so I can't
remember that much but I do remember going to a little corner store
and getting a soda pop and candy in his 1956 Chevrolet pickup and
there was a tree out in front of my grandparents home that I remember
trying to climb and my granddaddy came to my rescue. I used to get
to go to the Stovall Hot Wells and I remember all the older people
playing dominos and a brass band that would be there playing from
time to time and getting to go to a little café there for breakfast
and getting the next to the best pancakes I ever had (granny Dunn’s
pancakes will always be the best). That’s all I remember about South
Bend,Texas. It doesn’t sound that important but it always will to
me because that’s all the memories I have of my grandfather and
if there is anyone who knew my grandparents or has any pictures
or can take pictures of building and places to send to me I would
pay them for them. - Arnold Dunn, June 20, 2006, jerrydamouse@elp.rr.com
Subject:
“Taking the Waters”
I was reading your article on South Bend, TX ghost town and saw
that you used my mother’s book “Taking the Waters” as reference.
She passed away not long after the book was published and I just
want to let you know how much it would mean to her to know that
her book made a difference. I read the wonderful description that
you also have posted for her book. Thank you so much for including
this in your website! - Shonda Mace, Austin, Texas, June 07,
2005
To share
history or photos of South Bend, Texas, please contact
us.
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