Valley Spring, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Valley Spring, Texas
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 Valley Spring, Texas
Location in Texas
Valley Spring, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Llano |
| Elevation | 1,312 ft (400 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
76885
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| GNIS feature ID | 1380705 |
Valley Spring is a small place in Llano County, Texas, United States. It is called an unincorporated community. This means it is not officially a city or town with its own local government. In 2000, about 50 people lived there. Valley Spring is located along State Highway 71. It is in the northwestern part of Llano County. You can find it about 12 miles northwest of the town of Llano.
Contents
History of Valley Spring
Early Settlers and Phillips Ranch
The first people to settle in this area were the O.C.J. Phillips family. They arrived in 1854. In the beginning, the place was known as Phillips Ranch.
From Whistleville to Bugscuffle
In 1860, O.C.J. Phillips' son, W.O., built a cotton gin and a sawmill on the ranch. A cotton gin is a machine that quickly separates cotton fibers from their seeds. A sawmill is a place where logs are cut into lumber. People started calling the community Whistleville. This was because the mill had a whistle that blew to call workers.
Not far from Whistleville, another person named Davie Owen opened his own mill. The community around Owen's mill was called Bugscuffle.
How Valley Spring Got Its Name
In 1878, a post office was opened. It was placed in the Bugscuffle area. This community was then renamed Valley Spring. The name came from the many springs and the hilly land in the area.
Four years later, in 1882, the main travel route changed. This was a stage route, a path used by horse-drawn carriages that carried people and mail. Mr. Owen then built a store on this new route. This is where Valley Spring is located today.
Population Changes Over Time
By the 1930s, about 100 people lived in Valley Spring. However, the number of people went down to 50 by the late 1960s. The population stayed around 50 people until 2000. Valley Spring still has its own post office. Its ZIP code is 76885.
Education for Kids in Valley Spring
Students in Valley Spring go to public schools. These schools are part of the Llano Independent School District. Younger students attend Llano Elementary School for grades Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade. Middle school students go to Llano Junior High School for grades 6th through 8th. Finally, high school students attend Llano High School for grades 9th through 12th.
Famous People from Valley Spring
- James Fields Smathers (1888-1967) was an inventor. He is known for inventing the electric typewriter.
