Fort Spunky, Texas, Hood County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Settled in 1849 as Barnardville, George Barnard had and his brother Charles installed a chain of trading posts along the Brazos River and this location would come to be known as Ft. Spunky. Among the investors in the trading post enterprise was former President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston.

The post proper was run by brother Charles and the location was chosen for a nearby spring. It was also alongside Indian trails and near Comanche Peak - a regional landmark. The Barnard Brothers also acquired thousands of acres of land along the river and the peak.

In the 1850s, another community came into being not far from the trading post. Situated on George's Creek (also named after Barnard) it appeared to have potential as a town. But the U.S. government removed the Indians in the mid 1850s, relocating them to Ft. Belknap. The decline in business for the trading post was devastating, forcing it to close. The community eventually took over the trading post's location and locals referred to the place as "Fort Spunky" - reportedly for the frequent fights and rude lifestyle.

Despite the sparse population, a post office was granted in 1886. Ten years later the population was around 40 residents and the town's postmaster had acquired almost all of the community's businesses, including the grist mill, store, feed store and cotton gin.

Population was still sixty-five in the mid 1960s but it had an abrupt drop around 1966 to a mere fifteen residents. That figure was used through the year 2000.

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