Black Jack Springs, Texas, Fayette County ghost town. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Settled by Anglos in the 1830s, they found a stand of blackjack oak trees and springs and named it accordingly. This community shared the same story as much of Fayette County. Most Anglo settlers sold out to German immigrants (who left the name intact).

In 1868 a post office was opened. By the mid 1880s, Black Jack Springs was a beehive of activity with three stores, grist mills and cotton gins, a broom factory and a population of 400.

But by 1896, the population had decline to just 100 and the community was reduced to a gin, church and saloon. The reason for the decline is open to speculation. More than likely it was a desire to live near the railroad in Flatonia.

The post office was closed in 1910 and a few years later, the church was moved to Swiss Alp. The school closed as well and by the 1940s only the cemetery was left.

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church -

"Organized in 1871, Black Jack Springs, TX. Congregation combined with the Philadelphia Lutheran Church at Swiss Alp and the Salem Lutheran Church at Freyburg in 1967 to become the United Evangelical Lutheran Church at Swiss Alp, TX." - Carolyn Heinsohn

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