Carroll Springs, Texas, Henderson County. (original) (raw)

Carroll Springs United Methodist Church
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, August 2013

History in a Pecan Shell

Named after a nearby spring of the same name, the community was settled just prior to the Civil War.

The community has very little history available and no population figures at all. In the 1930 there were a few houses scattered around a church and a school but the school disappeared after WWII. The town had virtually disappeared by the 1990s - with just the cemetery, church and a few houses.

Photographer's Note:
Carroll Springs is essentially the church and cemetery. It is about 12 miles SE of Athens on CR 4600 about a mile east of Hwy 19.

Historical Marker

Carroll Springs Methodist Church

This congregation traces its history through several Henderson County Methodist churches. Earliest worship services in Carroll Springs were held in private homes, with the Rev. William D. Sansom occasionally leading them. Worshipers went to county line after a Methodist church was organized there in 1859. The church was moved to New Hope in 1865 with the Rev. Joseph Franklin Lambright as pastor. He continued as the minister when the congregation moved to Coolsprings in 1872. In 1883, the Methodist congregation relocated to Carroll Springs, where it has remained since that time. The forty charter members were served by J. F. Lambright until his resignation in 1891. Other pastors have included his son, the Rev. J. M. M. Lambright, and the Rev. R. E. Gibbs.

Carroll Springs Methodist Church traditionally has held a revival under the brush arbor beginning the first Sunday in August. An important part of this rural community, the church continues to reflect the ideals and traditions of its founders. Descendants of many of the charter members still worship here.

1984

Carroll Springs U.M.C. Fellowship Hall
Photo courtesy Dustin Martin, February 2017

Historical Marker

Carroll Springs Cemetery

The Carroll Springs Methodist Church and a school began meeting at this site in 1883. The following year, A.M. Carroll, who owned property in Henderson and Anderson counties, set aside nearly five acres here to be used for a school, church and cemetery.

The community, which derived its name from the Carroll family and nearby springs, began using this site for burials as early as 1859. The earliest marked grave is that of John Buck Hogg, who died in March 1859, although several others are believed to date to that same year. Generations of area pioneer families are buried in the cemetery, which is also the final resting place of veterans of American conflicts dating to the Civil War. Other area residents buried in Carroll Springs Cemetery include ministers and schoolteachers.

Although the Carroll Springs School consolidated with the Athens district in 1947, the Methodist Church continues to serve the area. Today, the cemetery is maintained as a perpetual care burial ground, and members and friends of the community gather annually to remember those who have passed on.

Historic Texas Cemetery - 2003

Carroll Springs Cemetery Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Dustin Martin, February 2017

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