Site of Norman Springs & Norman Grove
N 32° 24.997 W 097° 13.769
14S E 666485 N 3587995
Texas Historical Marker commemorating some of the early days of Alvarado and the surrounding area, including the Norman Springs that provided fresh water to those living here.
Waymark Code: WMJFZQ
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 11/13/2013
Views: 3
The marker had previously been sheared off of its post, as one can see from what they're using to secure it. The marker is now on the porch at Cactus Jack's Boot Country, 6921 Hwy 67 East, Alvarado, TX. It had previously been in a small park in front of the store, but that has given way to a CVS next door, and at some point, the marker made its reappearance.
Marker Number: 12354
Marker Text:
William Balch (1804-1870) claimed land around this site as a member of the Peters Colony in 1849. When he returned with his family in 1851, they found a group of Caddo Indians camping on one side of the springs. The Balch family built their cabin on the other side and lived peaceably with their neighbors. Other Caddo were living in the area that became Alvarado. Like the new settlers, they were attracted by the abundance of fresh water. The springs were located on the road from Birdville and Fort Worth to Hillsboro, Waco, Ft. Graham and other destinations.
William Balch founded the town of Alvarado in 1854 and the family moved into town. Joe (1798-1882) and Sarah (1797-1897) Shaw and their family settled here and farmed the land. Joe Shaw was a three-term county sheriff. With settlers coming in increasing numbers, the Caddo Indians moved to the Oklahoma Territory or further west, and by 1860 the area was dominated by new settlers.
Tennessee native Lafayette Norman (1826-1904), veteran of the U.S. war with Mexico and later the Confederate Army, purchased 245 acres around this site with his third wife Julia In 1872. The Normans supplied thirsty and weary travelers with access to their spring; the site became known as Norman Springs and Norman Grove.
A seven-year drought in the 1930s and a five-year drought in the 1950s significantly reduced the water table in this region. Norman Springs slowly became little more than a muddy patch. By the dawn of the 21st century, the once free-flowing spring that provided priceless fresh water to the early Indians and pioneer settlers of the Johnson County frontier was marked only by a willow tree. (2000)
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Visit Instructions:
Please include a picture in your log. You and your GPS receiver do not need to be in the picture. We encourage additional information about your visit (comments about the surrounding area, how you ended up near the marker, etc.) in the log.