Clear Springs, Texas

Clear Springs, Texas
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Clear Springs, Texas
Coordinates: 29°40′34″N 98°03′35″W / 29.67611°N 98.05972°WCoordinates: 29°40′34″N 98°03′35″W / 29.67611°N 98.05972°W
Country United States
State Texas
County Guadalupe
Elevation 623 ft (190 m)
Population (2000)
 • Total 200
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
Area code(s) 830
GNIS feature ID 1384862[1]

Clear Springs is a historic settlement in Guadalupe County, Texas, United States. The population was 200 at the 2000 census. It is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area. It shares its name with the nearby Clear Springs Air Force Base.

History

German settlers first immigrated to the area in the 1840s. Clear Springs was named for the natural springs water source for the settlement, which is now covered by Lake Dunlap. The location on which Clear Springs sits had been surveyed by James Bowie.

In 1873 a cotton-gin and general store were built for the processing, storage, and sale of cotton and goods. Wagon loads of cotton were brought from the region to the gin be to be weighed, sold and processed. The community had a post office in 1874 and called the location Bernhardsville. In 1875, the name was officially changed to Clear Springs.

In the 1890s, Clear Springs hosted the general store, cotton gin, and a population of 100. The post office was closed in 1906, however the residents stayed on to support the community. In later years the store was incorporated into a dance hall and saloon. The dance hall became a local favorite as it was the only establishment of the kind for several miles. Clear Springs had two businesses and a school in 1946. The school was consolidated with the New Braunfels school district in the 1950s. In 1990, several businesses as well as a church served a population of sixty.

The historical Clear Springs Hall and Store now houses Clear Springs Restaurant. This establishment has tried to preserve the German small town heritage and historical atmosphere of the structure itself.

Clear Springs is located just off SH 46, at the intersection of Farm roads 25 and FM 578, nine miles northwest of Seguin, Texas in northwestern Guadalupe County.[2]

Geography

Clear Springs is located at 29°40′34″N 98°03′35″W / 29.6760591°N 98.0597292°W (29.6760591, -98.0597292.[3] This is about 30 miles (48 km) east of Downtown San Antonio and 50 miles (80 km) south of Austin.

References

  1. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. ↑ Vivian Elizabeth Smyrl, "CLEAR SPRINGS, TX (GUADALUPE COUNTY)," Handbook of Texas Online , accessed July 20, 2012. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.
  3. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.

External links