South Bend, Texas facts for kids

South Bend is a small place in Young County, Texas, United States. It's called an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city does. In the year 2000, about 140 people lived there.

Where is South Bend?

South Bend is found in the southern part of Young County. It's easy to find because it sits right where two roads meet: State Highway 67 and FM 701.

The Story of South Bend

Early Days and Name Change

People first started settling in the South Bend area in the late 1890s. The very first store owner there was a man named J.N. Smith. He originally called the community "Arkansas."

Later, when a post office was opened, the name was changed to South Bend. This new name came from its location. The community is built on a bend in the Clear Fork of the Brazos River.

Oil Boom and Hot Wells

In the 1920s, something exciting happened: oil was discovered nearby! This discovery brought a short period of growth and excitement to the local economy.

In 1929, an oil well was drilled very deep, about 4,250 feet down. Instead of just oil, it started flowing with warm mineral water, about 130 degrees Fahrenheit! This led to the creation of a health resort called Stovall Hot Wells. People would visit to enjoy the warm, mineral-rich water.

The Stovall Hot Wells resort stayed open for many years, until 1994, when it was unfortunately destroyed in a fire.

Population Changes Over Time

At its peak, around 1940, South Bend had about 500 residents. However, after World War II, like many other small country towns, its population started to decrease. By 1990, only about 100 people lived there. The number went up a little bit to around 140 residents in 2000.

Even though South Bend is not an official city, it still has its own post office. The ZIP code for South Bend is 76481.

Learning in South Bend

Students living in South Bend attend public schools run by the Graham Independent School District.