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History in
a Pecan Shell
James
Reily is the community namesake. Reily saw an opportunity to buy
bonus land from Texas War of Independence veterans who wanted to
turn their land into cash. He acquired the properties in the early
1840s.
Being a source of water on a popular trail from Shreveport, a campground
gradually developed into a permanent settlement. After the Civil
War, the residents built a brick kiln which in turn allowed for
other buildings.
The community was given a post office in 1871 but the name was misspelled
(as Reilly) by authorities – hence the two spellings of the name.
The population in 1885 reached 200 with most essential business
in place.
The community peaked at 300 residents in the 1920s but the Great
Depression dealt the town a severe blow, reducing it to a mere 60
people by the end of the 1930s.
Reilly Springs was a voting precinct after WWII
and kept at least one store. Postwar progress lured others away
and by the early 50s there were just 40 residents left.
The store and school closed although the school became a community
center. Forty-four people called it home for the 1990 census – and
that same number was used for the year 2000.
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"The Crabb
home place just east of Seymore on
Reilly Springs Road. East of Hwy 154. The road led to Reilly Springs."
1950 Photo courtesy Mary Ellen Ledford |
Hopkins
County 1940s map showing "Reilly Springs"
From Texas state map #4335
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
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