A Walk in the Park
Hughes Springs gem is one of the most historic parks in Cass County
One of the prettiest and most historic parks in Cass County is Spring Park in Hughes Springs.
Where else can one find streams of water bubbling from the earth but turned orange by oxidized iron? The spring waters were once considered healthy to drink and bathe in.
Indians camped here, and so did the brothers Reece and Robert Hughes from Alabama. Homesteaders walked, rode horses or sat in carts pulled by oxen as they passed here, stopping to rest before going further into Texas.
Someone said gold was buried along that path. So the treasure hunters came.
Hughes Springs, the town, has turned the Chalybeate Springs into a park. This name is so singular that the park’s history plaque tells the reader in its first line how to pronounced the word. It’s “KA-LIB-E-ATE.”
This is not an Indian word. It’s Greek and Latin. Here’s a more detailed explanation. Chalybeate Springs means spring waters containing salts of iron. The Latin word for steel is “chalybs.” The Greek word is “khalups.” Chalybes were people living on Mt. Ida in North Asia Minor who were expert at iron making.
Local memories tell that there were seven springs flowing in the park at one time. Apparently that number is down to three or four now, and sometimes in the drought of summer the flow it is just a trickle.
In its day, however, the Chalybeate Springs had hotels and state-wide if not national advertising. A magazine article of history tells that in 1890 the springs were a well-known summer resort. Even by 1911, the Texas Magazine noted its waters were still considered medicinal.
So come visit, the magazine said using these words of a picnic invitation:
“There will be a slow train picnic in Chalybeate City July 4, 1887. Old people are especially invited.
“The train will consist of ox wagons. Drivers will carry a large horn and cowbells. He must blow his horn when in sight of a crossroads or fork and ring the bell until he passes. Must blow and ring coming into the city.
“When all trains are in, the oldest men will tell something of ‘ye olden times.’ A basket dinner will be held on the ground Everyone must be very polite to the old people.”
The Chalybeate Springs Hotel and Bathhouse were occupied, some people living there for the entire summer. It was reported three tubs used for bathing were still at the site in 1970.
Today, in the park, one finds a number of interesting historical plaques. One tells that Hughes Springs received the Governor’s Community Achievement Award in 1973 for enhancing quality of life and preserving an attractive environment. Hughes Springs had led in 1970 in the establishment of the state-recognized Texas Wildflower Trails festival which likely contributed to the award.
The Wildflower Trails is celebrating its 50th birthday this year.
On the town’s first centennial, 1878 to 1978, townspeople buried a time capsule in the park to last for another 100 years or until 2078. That capsule should be quite interesting to open 58 years from now.
The springs were at Hughes Springs’ center and so were the center of social activities. Garden clubs have their plaques here, as do citizens with their plaques being at the base of the trees they gave and planted.
Through the years, picnics have been frequent, educational meetings inspirational, church gatherings fervent and festivals fun and merry. Politicians have enjoyed coming here to get votes.
In 1984, the Hughes Springs Lions Club made extensive repairs. A new roof for the Spring House, new grass, repaired the restrooms, made a play area for children and a sprinkler system for watering.
Today the park is a more individual experience, certainly a moment for remembering the past. The park has a special emphasis and sincerity about veterans and war heroes.
The Spring Park waters aren’t thought to be particularly healthy any longer and so aren’t cherished. But coming to the park to learn something about history is refreshing.