Akokisa cannibalism? That’s right. Welcome to Old Town Spring. It’s not your typical Texas town. It has a unique and spirited past. Old Town Spring sits along Spring Creek in Northwest Houston.
Let’s journey back to the early days. Long before today’s boutiques, the Akokisa Indians called this area their winter camp. They were known for hunting, gathering and yes, even tribe eating.
Fast forward to the 1800s. Settlers started arriving. They increased the trade and growth of the Spring area. Colonization flourished after Texas won its independence from Mexico in 1836.
Railroad workers laying tracks south to Houston named this place Camp Spring. They were excited about the end of a harsh winter. In 1873, the I. & G.N. Railroad platted Camp Spring and it became a settlement. Soon after, Camp was dropped. Spring became the base of operations for railroad workers. This led to abundant growth for lumber companies and farmers. It created jobs for new immigrants.
By 1910, Old Town Spring had grown. Its population exceeded 1,200. It boasted an opera house, a hospital and lumber mills. There were banks, hotels and even saloons. One notable establishment was Wunsche Bros. Cafe & Saloon.
Then came a downturn. The railroad relocated to Houston in 1923. This crippled local merchants. Businesses were forced to close. Prohibition didn’t help either. It caused the saloons to shut down. Wunsche Bros. resisted. It was the last saloon in Harris County to close.
The Depression of the 1930s reduced Old Town Spring to a small settlement. It remained dormant until the late 1960s. Then merchants started locating around the Spring Cafe. They wanted to take advantage of Houston’s oil boom.
Old Town Spring emerged with steady growth. Throughout the 70s and 80s, it became a favorite destination. Customers and visitors came from all over the world.
But there’s also a darker side to Old Town Spring. Some say a curse troubles the inhabitants. It goes back to the 1700s. The Akokisa tribe cast this curse when settlers pushed them out.
Shop owners who cut down trees have experienced fires. Multiple unexplained fires. Some have even had to shut down their businesses.
Take the Wunsche Bros. Cafe. Before a fire, servers reported strange occurrences. Silverware moved. Chairs flipped over. Footsteps echoed on the off-limits second floor. Some blame the curse. Perhaps it’s due to the new addition to the restaurant.
Today, Old Town Spring is a quaint village. Many original buildings are over 100 years old. They now house places to buy antiques, clothing and gifts. You can stroll and relax in gazebos. It’s a step back in time. A place away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
But remember the curse. The spirits. The history. Old Town Spring is more than just a shopping destination. It’s a place where the past lingers. Where the echoes of the Akokisa still resonate. So enjoy your visit. But keep an open mind. You never know what spirits you might encounter.