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Restoring
Davy’s Spring
by Bob Bowman |
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An
East Texas landmark remembered
by motorists from the last century has been given a long-deserved
facelift at Crockett.
Anyone over fifty who traveled down El Camino Real, known today as
Texas Highway 21, probably remembers stopping at the Davy Crockett
Spring and sampling its cool water.
For children, it was a easy-to-digest lesson in Texas
history. Some told their friends in school, “I drank water where
Davy Crockett did.”
Thanks to a renovation effort, the spring site in downtown Crockett
now includes a mural depicting a reunion between Davy Crockett and
A.E. Gossett, a old family friend from Tennessee, as Crockett made
his way across East Texas
in 1835 on his way to the Alamo
in San Antonio.
A log cabin, perhaps similar to the one Gossett built near Crockett
when he settled in what is now Houston County, is being moved to the
site from Davy Crockett Memorial Park, also in Crockett.
A fort will also be built in the middle of the park, along with a
“snake tail” fence of the type used by pioneers in East
Texas.
The spring fountain, which has stood at its site for longer than most
people can remember, was cleaned and spruced up. And a creek bed has
been cleared of debris.
Another addition will include banners of Davy Crockett along El Camino
Real from East Houston Avenue through the town square to the park
for tourists to follow.
Created by local artist Lucas Short, the colorful mural captures Davy
and Gossett meeting in a woodlands setting in late 1835. Three months
later, Crockett and about 180 other Alamo
defenders died at the Alamo,
becoming symbols for liberty.
When Houston County was created by the Republic of Texas in June of
1837, A.E. Gossett donated land for a county seat and, because of
his donation, he and his father Elijah were given the privilege of
naming the county and the county seat.
Since both Gossetts had served at the Battle
of San Jacinto in April of 1836, they named the county for Sam
Houston, who led the troops during the battle, and the county seat
for Elijah’s boyhood friend from Rutherford County, Tennessee.
When the Gossetts settled in East
Texas, it was so remote that when they wanted a pound of coffee
or other supplies, someone had to ride a horse to a trading post at
Nacogdoches,
more than sixty miles away.
It was a journey of two hard days and required A.E. Gossett to leave
his wife and children alone at home. But friendly Indian women often
stayed with the family as Gossett made his way over a dim, rough woodland
trail.
Next time you’re in Crockett,
be sure you stop at Davy’s spring. You, too, can boast that you drank
water where Davy did. |
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