Mineral Springs, Texas facts for kids
Mineral Springs was once a small community in Texas. It was named for its natural springs. Today, it is known as a ghost town. This means it's a place where most people have left. It is located in Panola County, Texas. You can find it southeast of Tatum.
Contents
The Story of Mineral Springs
Early Beginnings and Settlers
Long ago, the area around Mineral Springs was home to the Anadarko people. They were a Native American group. In 1833, a settler named Daniel Martin built a small fort here. More settlers arrived and used the fresh water from the springs.
Community Life and Changes
In the 1870s, an African-American church was built in Mineral Springs. This church was an important part of the community. Later, a logging camp started up. This meant people cut down trees to get wood. The wood was then sent away on a train line called the Texas, Sabine Valley and Northwestern Railway.
The Train Stop and Decline
From 1888 to 1910, Mineral Springs had a special train stop. It was called a "flag stop." This means the train would only stop if someone waved a flag to get on. Or, if someone on the train wanted to get off there. After 1910, the train stopped coming. By 1948, the old church had fallen apart. Today, the area where Mineral Springs once stood is covered by woods.
