Visit Old Town Spring

The Orcoquiza Indians originally inhabited the Spring area and were first visited by the Spaniards in 1746. In the 1820's some of Stephen F. Austin's colonists settled nearby, and in 1838 a trading post was established on nearby Spring Creek.

The Railroad Era

After the Civil War the railroads were expanding and tracks were being constructed to Houston, which created the rapid industrialization of Houston and surrounding areas. Railroad workers were laying tracks heading south to Houston, and when they reached the area it was springtime. The workers were so excited about the end of a harsh winter that they named the area "Camp Spring." In 1873 Camp "Spring" was platted by the International & Great Northern (I&GN) Railroad and became a settlement. "Camp" was dropped and Spring was named. Soon afterwards, Spring became the base of operations for the railroad workers, bringing jobs and opportunities for new immigrants to the area.

Boom Years

Spring experienced steady growth for the next fifty years, becoming the crossroads for two intersecting rail lines and adding a roundhouse and fourteen track yards. While the rest of the nation struggled, Spring flourished. With a growing population, Spring had an Opera House, hospital, lumber mills, banks, hotels, steam saw mills, cotton mills, grist mills, and saloons.

By 1910 the population had grown to more than 1,200. The Spring Bank was established, which later consolidated with the Tomball Bank. Business flourished until 1923, when the railroad's decision to relocate its base of operations to Houston was followed by Prohibition. The town was crippled, forcing local businesses and merchants to close.

Decline and Revival

The Depression of the '30s reduced Spring to a small settlement, which remained dormant until the late '60s. With the advantage of economic growth enjoyed by the oil boom in Houston, Old Town Spring emerged with steady growth of merchants and businesses through the '70s and '80s, turning the town into a popular destination for shoppers and visitors from all over the world.

Old Town Spring Today

Today, Old Town Spring is a quaint turn-of-the-century village located near the original rail yards, just outside Beltway 8 and about 20 miles north of downtown Houston. Historic Victorian homes are nestled among the town's towering, tree-lined streets. One of the oldest surviving buildings, the Wunsche Bros. Saloon and Café, still stands on its original site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. History buffs can also stop by the Spring Historical Museum, established in 1995 to preserve the area's heritage.

Shoppers can stroll and relax in gazebos and on benches throughout the town, away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. With more than 100 shops, restaurants, and galleries, you'll find a variety of antiques, dining, clothing, collectibles, art, wine, and museums. Most shops are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., though individual hours vary by business, so it's worth checking ahead if there's a specific shop you don't want to miss.

Take a step back in time and spend the day. Be sure to bring the entire family, because there is something for everyone.