Alvarado in Johnson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Site of Norman Springs & Norman Grove
Photographed By James Hulse, April 7, 2023
1. Site of Norman Springs & Norman Grove Marker
Inscription.
Site of Norman Springs and Norman Grove. . 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.
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
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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.
Erected 2000 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12354.)
Location. 32° 25.003′ N, 97° 13.767′ W. Marker is in Alvarado, Texas, in Johnson County. Marker is on East Henderson Street (U.S. 67) 0.1 miles west of Purple Heart Trail (Interstate 35W), on the right when traveling west. The marker is located at the left side of the entrance to a boot store. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6921 US 67, Alvarado TX 76009, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. The view from the street of the boot store with the marker on the porch
The marker is located at the left side of the front porch.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 110 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 12, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.