Cat Spring, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cat Spring
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 Cat Spring
Location in Texas
Cat Spring
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Austin |
| Elevation | 308 ft (94 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
78933
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| GNIS feature ID | 1332320 |
Cat Spring is a small, unincorporated community in Austin County, Texas, United States. An unincorporated community means it's a place with a shared identity but no local government of its own, like a city or town. In 2000, about 76 people lived there. Cat Spring is special because it was one of the first places in Texas settled by German immigrants. It also started Texas' first group for farmers.
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History of Cat Spring
Cat Spring was founded in 1834 by people who moved from Germany. They were led by Ludwig Anton Siegmund von Roeder and Robert J. Kleberg. Many were drawn to the area by letters from Friedrich Ernst, who bought land nearby in 1831. The community got its name from a spring near the San Bernard River. A German immigrant killed a puma (also called a mountain lion or cat) near this spring.
Early Life and Growth
Between 1840 and 1844, the first Protestant church was started in Cat Spring. In 1856, the community created the Cat Spring Agricultural Society. This was the very first farming group in Texas. It helped farmers share ideas and improve their crops. A post office opened in Cat Spring in 1878. In the 1890s, a train station was built there, connecting it to other towns like New Ulm and Sealy. In 1836, Cat Spring had about 350 people and 15 businesses.
Changes Over Time
After World War II, the community started to get smaller. By 1950, only 200 people lived there, and there were 9 businesses. In 1990, the population was 76 with just two businesses. By 2000, the number of businesses grew to 13, but the population stayed the same.
Cat Spring Today
Today, Cat Spring has about 75 residents. You can find a store, the post office, and a "tractor graveyard" there. There's also an old building that used to be a dance hall. Now, it's used for antique shows at certain times of the year. Even though Cat Spring is unincorporated, it still has its own post office with the ZIP code 78933.
Where is Cat Spring?
Cat Spring is located in western Austin County, Texas. It sits along FM 949 and 2187. The San Bernard River flows nearby. It's about 10 miles (16 km) south of Bellville, which is the county seat. Other nearby towns include Brenham (29 miles or 47 km north), Sealy (13 miles or 21 km east), and Columbus (15 miles or 24 km southwest).
Education in Cat Spring
Students in Cat Spring attend schools in the Sealy Independent School District.
Notable People
- Rudolph Kleberg: He was a U.S. Representative for Texas. This means he was elected to speak for Texas in the United States government.
Images for kids
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St. John Lutheran Church is at 480 Ross Street.
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Cat Spring Volunteer Fire Department on FM 949.
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US Post Office is on Front Street, north of the railroad.
