DUANE
Duane's take
Here's my take on what the official marker has to say about the Site of Cottonwood Springs, out in Callahan County. Now, by 1874, General R. S.
MacKenzie had subdued the Indians on the High Plains. And when that happened, settlers started to pour into this part of Texas. What they found waiting for them was something worth the journey — abundant game, good water, and soil that was ready for ranching and farming.
Right there at the head of Green Briar Creek, one of the first villages to take root was Cottonwood Springs, founded in 1875. It didn't take long for that little settlement to make itself useful. The southeastern part of Callahan County needed a place to do business, and Cottonwood Springs stepped right up as the trading center for the whole area.
It had several stores. Two churches. A school.
The kind of town that looks, on paper, like a quiet and civilized place. And the marker is careful to tell you — it was usually peaceful. Usually.
Because in the same breath, it also tells you that Cottonwood Springs experienced many gun battles. Many. The marker doesn't elaborate, and maybe it doesn't need to.
Some towns earn their reputations quietly. Others earn them loud. Then came 1883, and with it the first post office.
That's when the name got trimmed down — Cottonwood Springs became simply Cottonwood. Whether something was gained or lost in that shortening, well, the marker doesn't say. But the springs were there first, and the story remembers them.
What the marker says
After Indians on High Plains were subdued (1874) by Gen. R. S. MacKenzie, settlers started to pour into this area, where they found abundant game, water, and good soil for ranching, farming. Cottonwood Springs, at head of Green Briar Creek, was one of first villages founded (in 1875). The town soon became a trading center for southeastern part of county. It had several stores, two churches, and a school; and although usually peaceful, it experienced many gun battles. The town name was shortened to "Cottonwood" after first post office was established in 1883. (1968)