Phalba in Van Zandt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Phalba

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 5, 2025

1. Phalba Marker

Inscription. This community was first called Snider Springs for John Snider who bought the land on which the springs were situated in 1853. A road, later designated State Highway 198, opened from Canton to Snider Springs in 1858, and the town soon boasted several businesses. Citizens changed the town name to Phalba after the daughter of a local gin owner because another Texas postal station was already called Snider Springs. During the Depression, the Works Progress Administration opened a cannery for local and charitable uses. It used the water from the springs for five steam-operated canners. Though it suffered neglect in the years following World War II, the rural farming and ranching area of Phalba continues as a thriving small community.

Erected 1999 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12263.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 32° 25.275′ N, 95° 58.849′ W. Marker is in Phalba, Texas, in Van Zandt County. It is on State Highway 198 0.3 miles east of Farm to Market Road 316,

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on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10613 TX-198, Mabank TX 75147, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mono School (approx. 3.2 miles away); Old Bethel Cemetery (approx. 3.3 miles away); Elm Grove Cemetery (approx. 3.6 miles away); Elm Grove Union Church (approx. 3.6 miles away); White Hall School (approx. 6.7 miles away); First Baptist Church of Mabank (approx. 7.9 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Mabank (approx. 8 miles away); Roddy Lodge No. 734, A.F. & A.M. (approx. 8 miles away).

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 5, 2025

2. Phalba Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 83 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 6, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.